Child Soldiers

Heather Lee

Child Soldiers

1. The living conditions and exploitation of children for use in warfare is deplorable and to me, is considered a human rights issue; however, child soldiers have been used in wars for centuries and despite any international policies, child exploitation in warfare will continue. Child soldiers are both cheap and efficient weapons that are easily recruited if not forced into combat. They quickly learn how to carryout brutal tactics, such as the proficiency in the use of automatic weapons like the AK-47. Trained in the ways of guerilla war, many child soldiers are fostered in an environment where brutality is the norm, just as the rebel group in the film Ezra illustrated when Ezra’s sisters tongue was cut out; and resources are scare. In the film, it is a constant issue that the leader of the rebel group is not providing adequate rations for the young soldiers and as a result they are restless and malnourished. Furthermore, a violent childhood induces psychological trauma and reduces the probability of healthy scholastic opportunities, leaving militancy as the only feasible career path.  

1. / 3. I believe it is necessary from a governmental position for the US and the international community to implicate policies to reduce the use of child soldiers.  Primarily child soldiers are dealt with through deterrence and demobilization, and reintegration but neither approach has much impact. These programs are meant to place adolescents back into a functional society, but results are often mixed. Many foreign organizers often fail to understand the local culture/ economy and therefore either make mistakes like excluding girls from programs or training children for the wrong occupations. Through policies such as the Child Soldier Prevention Act, requiring the Secretary of State to publish a list of governments that utilize and recruit child soldiers or support groups who do. Countries listed are then restricted on security aid, military training and equipment.  Policies such as the CSPA have been positive in taking steps toward ending the recruitment of child soldiers in countries such as Chad which for several years was on the CSPA list and as of 2014 is no longer listed. Despite governmental efforts, the number of child soldiers in the world has remained constant due to the increasing numbers of guerilla and non-state groups that recruit children. With the help of NGO’s and governmental agencies we will be able to overcome the obstacles present by the commodification of children, eradicate the use of child soldiers and reintegrate them as successful members of society.