How These Men React to the New Mandatory Army Draft in Lithuania Will Move You.

When Lithuania suddenly reinstated military conscription on May 11, more than 37,000 men aged 19 to 26 were shocked to see their names listed on the country’s compulsory military service. However, not all men were happy with the country’s move to boost the military’s strength.

Several Lithuanian men took to social media to express their negative sentiments on what many call as a sudden and random “lottery”. Their complaints caught the attention of  Beata Tiskevic-Hasanova, a Lithuanian actress and TV host, and Neringa Rekasiute, a Lithuanian photographer and political science student.

The pair decided to respond to their protest in an unconventional but creative way. Through a powerful photo series featuring 14 random men, aged 17 to 28, crying in military uniforms, Hasanova and Rekasiute effectively conveyed how dangerous gender expectations can be.

“The most disturbing thing was the very harsh and unforgiving public opinion of men who didn’t want to go to the army. They were called ‘unmanly,’ ‘cowardly,’ ‘disgraceful,’ etc,” Rekasiute  wrote.

In our society, men are expected to be rational, assertive and emotionless. These moving pictures prove otherwise.

“A gun in your hands doesn’t define your manliness.”- JAUNIUS, 18

“If I was called to the army, I would try to find a way to avoid it. I have a wife, we are so good together and family for me is first. We have created so much, I wouldn’t want to leave it.” – LUKAS, 25

“Army is a waste of time. How many more soldiers do we need?” – JUSTAS, 27

“When I was still at school, conscript army was removed. I was very happy then, but when I look back, I realize it was a better time to go to the army than it would be now when I have my own agency and when I have created jobs for other people – I need to look after all of it.” – MINDAUGAS, 25

“It is manly to work for your goals and ideas, and defend your values. I guess, everyone can go to the war, but army is not for everyone.” – ROKAS, 17

“Only when fighting you lose.” – JEGOR, 25

“t’s manly to be able to choose for yourself.” – MARTYNAS, 22

“In today’s free society there is no space for coercion. Compulsory things should be the ones you choose with your free will.” – DENISAS, 23

“In my opinion, the archaic times when a man was supposed to kill a buffalo and drag it home to his family are long over. I think that army is not a bad thing in general, but a compulsory one is definitely not a good thing either. Especially when the government announced it so suddenly without any public debate or preparation. A system should be introduced, one should know at school that there is a possibility to serve in the army, one should grow up with this idea.” – DANAS, 28

“Can you imprison a man’s choice and call it free living?”- EDVINAS, 17

“I could go to the army. Sometimes I lack courage and stamina to do things. Army is good if you can handle it. I was inspired by my friend, a girl, who became a voluntary soldier.”- VYTENIS, 18

“The real strength is the ability to make your own mind. Let us be strong.”- JUSTAS, 18

“It’s my choice what kind of man I want to be.”- DOMINYKAS, 26

“Army won’t make a man out of you – if you are a dumbass, you will stay a dumbs.”- VYTAUTAS, 27

Source: Bored Panda

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