Do child soldiers have a choice?

Do child soldiers have a choice?

Although child soldiers are often forcefully recruited, it is not the primary way that children, both male and female, become involved in armed conflict. Participation frequently comes down to despair. While there is usually an element of “choice” involved, that term is used very loosely.

What is wrong with child soldiers?

Regardless of how children are recruited and of their roles, child soldiers are victims, whose participation in conflict bears serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being. They are commonly subject to abuse and most of them witness death, killing, and sexual violence.

What human right does child soldiers violate?

because the acts required of a child soldier are dangerous enough to interfere with a child’s fundamental human right to education, health, and development. The abduction and employment of children as soldiers is a form of exploitative labor that is tantamount to slavery.

What happens to child soldiers when they grow up?

This article offers findings on the first longitudinal study of life outcomes for former child soldiers. The data show that, after 16 years, the vast majority of this group of former child soldiers have become productive, capable and caring adults. At the same time, none of them are truly free from their pasts.

Are child soldiers forced to fight?

Many are pressed into combat, where they may be forced to the front lines or sent into minefields ahead of older troops. Children have also been used for suicide missions. In some conflicts, girls are raped, or given to military commanders as “wives.”

Do child soldiers get PTSD?

Former child soldiers are at risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, despite the high rates of PTSD documented in this population,2,3 there have been few assessments of the longitudinal course of symptoms in both male and female child soldiers.

Does India use child soldiers?

Child soldiers in India is a common occurrence among non-state forces such as insurgent organizations and up to seventeen militant factions use child soldiers in the Kashmir region.

Are child soldiers innocent?

Children are not usually considered to be morally responsible actors—especially if they are kidnapped and forcibly indoctrinated. Such child soldiers are practically pure examples of innocent attackers, with all of the attendant difficulties for justifying violence against them.

Are there female child soldiers?

Children are increasingly vulnerable as conflicts around the world become more brutal, intense and widespread. It is estimated that 300,000 children are today fighting as child soldiers in over 20 countries worldwide. Up to 40 per cent of them are girls.

Why does Africa use child soldiers?

Reasons for recruitment by armed groups Child soldiers are typically recruited because they are seen by armed groups as expendable and cheap to maintain.