Mandatory service for seniors? What speaks for it – and what about it

In order to relieve the young generation and make the country defensive, sociologist Klaus Hurrelmann suggests a so -called “compulsory service for seniors” in “” “. Another year in the service of society instead of well -deserved retirement? In the star-Taction triggers the demand for violent discussions. Can one do such a task at the end of their working life?

When people retire, they have worked a whole, long life. 40 years, maybe 45 years, they have worked and paid taxes. Those who are now retiring were born around 1960.

The proposal of a “compulsory service for seniors” sounds as if they hadn’t done enough in life. As if you should make your crooked back now. For “social cohesion”. You have to take on the whole society.

At the age of 65, sometimes at the age of 63, people would become “private and vacation people”, as Hurrelmann says. I read out slight indignation when he asks: “What kind of concept is that?”

I am also indignant. Apparently it is not enough that the seniors have sometimes done basic military service or did community service. No, not enough. People paid taxes for 45 years? Not enough. The state should demand more, says the sociologist. I think that’s attacking. But it is also moral wrong.

Because what kind of human image is behind a statement like this? Hurrelmann imagines pensioners as lazy people. They are only “vacation people”. But I know a lot of pensioners who not only drive on cruise ships and lie on balconies.

I know pensioners, the mini -jobben to somehow make ends meet. In Berlin I see pensioners almost every day who collect bottles. Those who do not have to worry about their existence are partly socially involved. They bake cakes for the church festival, are treasurer in clubs, help with boards. They demonstrate against injustice and help to raise grandchildren.

Of course there are also those who enjoy their pension and do not get involved. And who could resent them? Man is not just a work person and citizens. He is also a private person. And after decades full of work, stress and hustle and bustle he can do that too. The seniors deserve to be private and vacation people. To pronounce this and stand up for it – this strengthens the social context. Because that is the recognition of the life’s performance of millions of senior citizens.

45 years and then also a mandatory social year instead of going into well -deserved retirement: Is that fair? Not a bit! But nobody said that life is fair. If the Bundeswehr is to be defensive again, everyone has to tackle it. Simply putting responsibility for this decade project on the back of the young generation sounds understandable at first, because the older ones “have already done their job”. But it will not be enough with a reintroduction of military service.

The former finance minister and President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble once shaped the description of the “fate and solidarity community”. And we need exactly such a community now.

Nobody expects seniors to crawl through the mud again after their working life, build a bivouac and create a violent march through the Lüneburg Heath with 20 kilos of luggage. But for a year to put their life experience, social skills and effort into service of the community, they will probably be expected.

Whether in kindergarten, in social projects or with easier care tasks – such a service may even be fulfilling for many after their professional life ends overnight. Hundreds of thousands are already involved in volunteering today to also participate in social life in retirement. There may not be such a big difference to a social compulsory year.

Nobody would easily be the introduction of such a service. And yet it is necessary. Also to give the young generation at least a bit of air to breathe with the young generation.