Some Psychological Aspects Of Commencing ‘National Service’ In South Africa

Abstract

There is agreement across the entire political spectrum that South Africa is currently in a state of rapid social change. Partly as a consequence of this, the South African government allocates a vast amount of funds, resources and personnel to the South African Defence Force. So far as military personnel are concerned, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that there were 83 400 South Africans in military uniform in 1985 of these, 53 300 or 65i are conscripted "national servicemen" (Objector, 1985). In the light of this, it is obviously important to consider the psychological effects of "national service". Indeed, Feinstein et al (1986) include the examination of the impact of national service on the conscript as an example of the kind of study that psychologists wishing to do "relevant" work could be contributing in the field of conscription. There is certainly a dearth of both empirical and theoretical work in this area. For this reason, much of the discussion below is based on the personal experience of the author, particularly in the clinical setting. This article will begin by delineating its scope. Thereafter a theoretical framework involving crisis theory will be presented in which the subject matter will be embedded. Finally, an attempt will be made to integrate the psychological and ideological dimensions.