Does the military purposely go into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools to recruit?

Topic:
U.S. Political Debates

17 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
88% of users

  • Yes, the facts demonstrate that the military does purposely go into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools to recruit.

    The military, for example, chooses to focus on certain schools which are not well-off economically to entice prospects with promises of financial aid to go to school. They also obtain phone number lists from certain schools to call students and encourage them to join the military. People who don't have a lot of financial prospects make for easier recruits.

    Yes TorpidQuintin70

  • I think it is clear from the location of military recruiting offices, as well as the proliferation of their promotional materials in these areas, that the military targets lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools for recruiting.

    Take a look at the location of military recruitment offices and it is easy to see that the military is targeting lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Likewise, their frequent presence at schools in the same neighborhoods is clear proof that they are targeting lower-income kids for recruitment.

    Yes ToughEfrain26

  • I think that lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools are more likely to have citizens who can't afford college and haven't been inundated with scholarships.

    Young people graduate high school wanting to maximize productivity. It becomes extremely difficult when they lack the finances to further their education. The military is an opportunity to gain independence since, in these neighborhoods, minimal opportunity exists. So, recruit numbers are increased in these areas, in my opinion. I don't feel as though it's a bad thing, because it's keeping people off the streets, protecting the country, and taking care of families.

    Yes MaleRufus92

  • Yes, because those areas are in need of military jobs and more education.

    There is nothing wrong with the military recruiting in those areas. The people are more likely to need the jobs, money, and education that the government can offer. They are given an opportunity to succeed, instead of becoming another statistic or entering a life of crime. If they don't like it after they have joined, then they can always leave.

    Yes CeIIoBurke

  • The military definitely goes into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools purposely to recruit.

    The US military has a long history of being the only "out" for poor kids, especially during the tough economic times. It provides food, housing and a salary (although very low). Kids that live in wealthier neighborhoods have a lot more options at their disposal, and don't need other outlets to escape their current life situation.

    Yes Ramon Griffith

  • I believe that the military recruits in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods because they know not to waste their time in high income areas.

    The military chooses to recruit in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools because they know that there aren't many options for the young men (and women) living there, so they believe that it will be easy for them to convince them that there are many opportunities in the military. In a higher socioeconomic neighborhood, most of the students will attend college so the military focuses their attention on where they are most likely to get results.

    Yes ender31444

  • Yes, the military purposely goes into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools to recruit because they know that financially desperate people are the easiest to recruit.

    Recruitment officers in the military have quotas to make and little time to make them in, so they go after the easiest targets first. That means low income families and schools. Joining the military is a dangerous job, and every one knows it, especially during times of war. The recruiters know that they will not make their quotas by hanging around ivy league schools or the super rich. They need people desperate enough to risk their lives for money to go to college.

    Yes H_Baird

  • Yes. Even though I can't prove this position, my own casual observation and logic suggest it's true.

    Look at where armed forces recruitment centers are located. Or consider demographics. While the military is deservedly prestigious in many ways in America, it is not a common career path for the highly educated, or the affluent. Military recruiters surely recognize this fact. They do have recruitment goals however, and the nation has national security needs, and positions must be filled. So it is logical that the military would seek out young people for whom the military represents one of the few clear paths toward education, training, and a career. This pattern offers many recruits a constructive direction and has many to recommend it. But it is also troubling. The military severely limits the freedom of its personnel in many ways, and the work is, of course, dangerous. Especially now, during protracted military conflicts. Our democracy should consider promoting more equitable sharing of the risks and benefits of military service.

    Yes M4I4cFeIine

  • The U.S military does purposefully go into lower social class neighborhoods to recruit.

    I've experienced this first hand. Recruiters visited my high school all of the time, which was full lower class black students. They would try to entice students to enlist at the age of 17 by the promise of money to go to college, if they survive during their service. I've also experienced recruiters going around supermarkets and targeting minimum wage earners. It's wrong and unethical.

    Yes RayEar

  • I believe the military chooses to go into lower socioeconomic areas because they can recruit from there.

    Lower socioeconomic areas are a target area for the military because they have a better chance of successfully recruiting. People in higher class areas have more opportunities and money available. Lower socioeconomic areas do not have as much to offer people who live there. College degrees are less frequent in lower class areas.

    Yes VasilBuddy

  • I believe that the military purposely goes into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods to recruit because that is where they can convince the most people to join.

    I believe that the military chooses to go into lower-end schools to recruit because that is where they think they will get the most interest. It would be ridiculous to think that the military would go into successful schools looking for recruits. Why would someone who really has it going in school with good grades go into the military? It is more likely that people with bad grades who can't go to college will sign up for the service and it is more likely to find these people in lower socioeconomic schools and neighborhoods.

    Yes gov3rd

  • I do agree that the recruiters do target poorer neighborhoods to find children that don't have many options.

    The military does have a strong presence in schools. There recruiters know that poorer people don't always have college as an option and they present them with an alternative. While there presence is strong I don't think these recruiters are to forceful in their practices. Its really about options that are available to consider.

    Yes C0ImEIite

  • Military recruiters target youth in disadvantaged areas because military pay is more likely to seem worthwhile in poor areas.

    Military pay is not sufficient to convince a middle-class person to risk his or her life. Recruiters are more successful at recruiting when they recruit in poor areas, because disadvantaged people are more likely to see a military job as a good job.

    Yes EmmeAnguris

  • I agree that military recruiters strategically target schools in disadvantages areas since the poor are the largest fraction of the military.

    The United States military is comprises mainly of the poor and middle class. It's the working class of the United States that protects the country through military service. It's in the best interest of the military to recruit from the part of society that typically joins the military. For the most part the military provides the avenue for the disadvantaged population to get training and education and a steady salary. Therefore it makes sense for the military to focus on the economically disadvantaged.

    Yes VampMarce

  • Recruiters target schools in disadvantaged areas because those students are more likely to join the military.

    Students in disadvantaged schools tend to typically not have the monetary ability to go further in their life after school. When a recruiter shows up they offer opportunities for these students to go to college and make money. This a big deal to these students and many of them choose to take this opportunity. For recruiters this helps them meet their quota so they will go to these schools more often in order to help with that. This is a win-win situation for both groups.

    Yes T Richmond
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No
12% of users

  • No, the military recruits wherever they can find people to sign up.

    The military recruits everywhere. I live in one of the better of areas of my region, and they still do recruiting around here. It might seem like they recruit more in the lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. But that's only because there are more people from those neighborhoods that want an opportunity to get out of there and make something with their lives.

    No deceitfulx

  • No, Military recruiters do not purposely go into poor schools.

    From what I understand, Military recruits go into rich and poor neighborhoods. While is true that many recruiters may try to take advantage of poor people, this does not mean that the majority of them do so, or that they purposely target poor schools. Many poor people do join the military because it provides an opportunity and path that wouldn't be possible for them after high school. It is due to financial reasons, but there is no evidence to show that the military has some wicked scheme to target poor folks.

    No D Callahan
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Does the military purposely go into lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and schools to recruit?
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