There are children as young as 7 fighting in either the bloody front lines or in "combat support" providing spy information, food or ammunition for non-government armies and rebel causes. These children are coerced and exploited as soldiers, being robbed of any hope of a childhood. Although, mostly far away from us in Africa and Asia, this human rights abomination effects us in ways that are much too clear for us to turn a blind eye. I will be blogging about the current and historical effects of the exploitation of children and what's being done to change the fate of these young ones.
It is estimated that there are 300,000 child soldiers around the world currently participating in combat. And over 50 countries recruit soldiers under the age of 18. There are many different ways that children get involved. Their parents may have offered them up for service, they may be searching for a reliable source of food and clothing, trying to protect themselves and their family, and too often they are manipulated by force or through guilt trips or other mind games into being a violent tool of war. Girls are targeted as well, in case studies it was found that girls made up a third of the child soldiers in El Salvador, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
These children are exposed to countless atrocities including rape and other physical abuse. As well as witnessing and participating in all of the horrors of war including mass executions, bombings, torture, and destruction of houses, properties and lives. The physical effects on these children are astronomic, deaths and injuries are caused every day in battle. Not to mention the intense psychological damage that is wrought during every battle and with every gunshot or slash of a machete. These children are scarred forever by these horrors and will never part with the twisted and paranoid mindset that comes with stepping into battle.
Promising yet slow, efforts are being put forth to turn the futures of the children around, and to
finally give them a chance at freedom. The effects of this could be gargantuan, touching even us on the other side
of the world. To shape the next generation, which, in turn, will shape the whole of the people of the
world: for better -if something is done- or for worse.
finally give them a chance at freedom. The effects of this could be gargantuan, touching even us on the other side
of the world. To shape the next generation, which, in turn, will shape the whole of the people of the
world: for better -if something is done- or for worse.
Sources:
"Child Soldiers" Child Soldiers: Vital Statistics. UN.org. Pages 1-8. Viewed 2-22-10. <www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/briefing/soldiers/soldiers.pdf>
"Unified Communist Party of Nepal" Wikipedia. Viewed 2-22-10. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Nepal_(Maoist)>
Sarah Crowe and Marty Logan. "Last Group of Maoist child soldiers discharged in Nepal" Unite For Children. Viewed 2-22-10. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nepal_52791.html>
"Nepal Child Soldiers Leave UN Camps" Aljazeera.net. Updated 1-7-10. Viewed 2-22-10. <http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/01/20101762112676535.html>
You write with a compelling voice, very engaging. There are a few odd formatting things, like text that runs off of the page, and a few spots where linked references should be added. Also, keep in mind you are blogging about the international coverage, not about the topic alone. You should prepare your readers for that. Overall, great job.
ReplyDeleteI was confused by the format errors as well. I've tried to fix them, but it seems like anything I try to do just makes them worse!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I got it. Thanks!