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It's My Life
edited by Janine Schwab and published by the American Friends Service Committee
It's My Life
I don't think I've written a book report since high school English. So, perhaps
it is appropriate that my first "book report" in 40 plus years is about advice
to young people as they approach their own high school graduation.
It's My Life: A Guide to Alternatives After High School edited by Janine
Schwab and published by the American Friends Service Committee in 2008 is an
attractive soft-bound book filled with 89 pages of information on alternatives
to military service.
If you are looking for a conventional manual to give to your growing daughter or
son on "why you should go to college right after high school," or "what are the
best paying jobs," then don't bother buying It's My Life! If, on the other
hand, you want to support your children through that difficult transition from
adolescence to adulthood, there is much in this readable book that could be
useful.
The style of It's My Life! is meant to be accessible to young adults. It is
written in plain, non-condescending English. Also, every chapter is
chock full of web site resources for those wanting to pursue a particular
interest. Topics covered include:
- "Remember! It's OK to NOT KNOW what to do next", which gives a young person
permission to explore many options.
- "The most important part of choosing a career is to focus on your own interests,
values, goals, and skills" rather than how much security or money the career
will provide.
- How to live, eat and travel cheaply in those first hard years after formal
schooling, and how to find financial assistance if you decide to go to college.
- "Thinking outside of the box," including looking for jobs where you can "learn
while you earn" (apprenticeships and internships), and/or where you are able to
provide service to others. There is a detailed listing of peace and social
justice jobs and internships, and a whole chapter devoted to "green" jobs such
as internships in "natural building and sustainable community living, and
apprenticeships in organic farming.
The book - rather wisely, I think - does not go into a 'hard sell' as to why
joining the armed services is an extraordinarily bad idea. Rather, it gently
points out the things that the recruiters do not say in their sales pitches. For
example Page 27 includes this warning - "If you decide to join the military,
leaving may be impossible without breaking military law and going to jail. It
is also difficult to switch jobs in the military..." - all facts that might not
be particularly apparent to a young people, especially if they're poor, and see
the military as "the way out."
Many of us in the peace movement are concerned about the aggressive tactics used
by military recruiters. As we all know, these are not easy strategies to counter,
but counter them we must. It's My Life! may not be the whole answer, but it
certainly is a good resource and can help us frame our discussions with our
younger generation as they ponder their next steps.
Copies of It's My Life! can be purchased for $10 at the American Friends Service
Committee. www.afsc.org
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