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/