The Truth about Child Soldiers By: Kelsey Whisler

The Truth aboutChild Soldiers

By: Kelsey Whisler

Warfare negatively affects child soldiers, ensuring physical harm, psychological trauma, and social instability.

Image by: Bettina Marx (DW)

What is a Child Soldier?

“A child soldier is anyone under the age of eighteen who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity” (PlanUSA.org).

How are Child Soldiers Recruited?

● Coerced● Sold● Volunteer

Why are Child Soldiers Recruited?

● Children are:o Easy Targetso Expendableo Easily Replaced

● Social and Economic Troubles Drive Soldier Recruitment

What are Child Soldiers’ Roles in War?

● Combatants● Guards● Scouts● Messengers● Cooks● Sex Slaves

Historical Importance

● Concept Originated in Middle Ages● Young Boys Apprenticed Knights● Encouraged by Families and Communities● Boys Followed Knights into Battle● Glorified Warfare

Current Relevance

● ‘Modern Day Slavery’● Occurs in Almost Every Region of the World● Most Prominent in Countries in:

o Africao Asiao South Americao Middle East

● Injuries● Neglected Needs● Substance Abuse● Sexual Abuse● Physical Response to Trauma

Physical Harm

Psychological Trauma

● Post Traumatic Stress Disorder● Behavior● Wartime Identity● Increased Developmental Risks Post-War● Aftermath

Social Instability

● Socially Excluded● Stigmatization● Challenges● Reintegration● Resilience

Works Cited

Beuker, Igor. Hand Holding Bullets. Digital image. Viral Blog. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.

Marx, Bettina. Child Soldier. Digital image. DW. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.

"What Is a Child Soldier?" Plan USA. Plan International USA, 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.

For more information, visit:

http://truthaboutchildsoldiers.wordpress.com/