Final answer:
To avoid being drafted during the Vietnam War, young men employed methods such as medical deferments, moving to lenient draft board areas, and college deferments, which favored those from wealthier backgrounds. Some also chose to join the National Guard, self-injured, protested, or fled to Canada, all with varying consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Vietnam War, some young men sought to avoid military service through various means. A primary method of dodging the draft involved obtaining medical deferments, often with the help of sympathetic doctors. Since draft boards varied locally in their criteria, relocation to areas with more lenient boards was another strategy employed by draft dodgers.
Another common tactic was to secure a college deferment, which allowed deferment until after the individual had earned a college degree. This exemption from the draft often favored those from middle and upper-class backgrounds that could afford higher education. Various other means included enlisting in the Coast Guard or National Guard, self-inflicting harm to fail the draft physical, public protest including burning draft cards, and moving to countries like Canada.
It's important to note that, while these strategies were used, they were often controversial and came with their own risks and repercussions. The draft system itself, established by the Selective Service System, drew upon different categories of registrants, prioritizing single and able-bodied men without critical employment. Over time, resistance to the draft and the war grew, culminating in a significant number of draft evaders by the end of the Vietnam War.