David Everett
Dr. Gibson
Advanced Expository Writing, 1st Hour
16 November 2010
Using the Weak
Happy-go-lucky children run around on the playground, innocent as can be. Life is perfect; everything is joyful. On the other side of the world, kids the same age carry AK-47’s, killing combatants. While childhood is looked upon as a carefree time in America, this does not apply to many others. Military groups target children, recruit them, and force them to carry out commands, regardless of how gruesome the task. These duties stick with youths for years, causing significant trauma damage. The use of child soldiers needs to stop before more kids are ripped from their childhood.
Military organizations recruit child soldiers because of their weak and vulnerable nature. Kids as young as seven are targeted as prospects because of their age. Younger kids, easy to attract, lack the ability of knowledgeable choice-making. Natalie Springer, a dean at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogata and an expert on children and armed groups, states, “They don’t have the intellectual tools or maturity to make a decision by themselves. They are seduced” (qtd. in Kraul). Militants aim to attract adolescents knowing that they are not aware of the consequences. Impoverished communities are targeted because oppressors can supply what kids need. Colby Goodman, who works for Amnesty International writes, “Some of them volunteer because they are out of food” (qtd. in “A New Life”). Appearing to meet their needs, they join military forces. Another main reason for targeting children is their vulnerability and willingness to comply. Leaders of such groups live off of children because they provide them with what they need, as well. A military commander from Chad told Human Rights Watch, “They don’t complain, they don’t expect to be paid – and if you tell them to kill, they will.” Unpaid killers, often children, help armies across the world fight wars. Those in power can use the weaker children and shape them into war creatures.
The use of children as soldiers is an injustice that encompasses much of the world. Around 300,000 people under the age of 18 are used in 20 different countries to fight in numerous wars. Many of the armies that children fight in are rebel forces that have little organization. Jeffery Gettleman stated that these groups are “less of an army than a drugged-out street gang with military-grade weapons” (Gettleman). They brainwash children to “burn down huts and pound newborn babies to death.” Superiors dehumanize kids to conform to their wicked desires. Those in charge force children to use drugs, making them vulnerable in their hallucinated state. Commanders force once-innocent kids to partake in atrocious acts that none should witness. Militants have perfected the art of controlling teens. They use false promises to advertise for their cause. Twelve-to-16 year olds in Iran were promised “keys to heaven” to wear as they cleared minefields during the Iran-Iraq War. Young ones do not see the lies that their commanders throw at them. Life as a soldier provides difficulties for any, but as a child, the tasks take a toll. Julian, a former child soldier, stated, “You don’t sleep, you’re always hungry and if you make a mistake they bring you before a war council. The penalties can be doing more guard duty or going before a firing squad” (qtd in Kraul). Thousands of children are controlled, manipulated, and turned into killing machines in their early years.
The effects of the atrocities carry on with anyone who survives. As soon as the once-innocent children are released, the battle to keep them from picking up arms again begins. Often, the lack of families because they have been been displaced by a war cause the reintegration process to be much harder. More than anything, young ones want to “simply be reunited with their families” (Francis) but many of them do not get the opportunity. For those who do not reunite with loved ones, foster care or refugee camps are the only option. However, at these camps, children can be re-recruited, continuing the cycle. Being a part of culture that lacks respect, behavioral habits can carry over when freedom comes. This type of living can lead to difficulties such as “readjusting to the rules and authority at home and in their communities” (Unknown, Burundi). It can take years for the difference in lifestyles to change. Not only do the newly freed young ones struggle with loss of family, but, trauma also haunts them for years. Expert Colby Goodman’s quotes, “It can takes years to work through the trauma” (qtd in “A New Start”). The psychological ramifications make it nearly impossible for children to return to any sort of normalcy in their lives. While many are eventually freed, the affects of their lifestyle lasts a lifetime, especially girls.
Women struggle with the reintegration process much more than males. Females find it much more difficult to overcome the brutal lives that they have encountered. Author Michael Wessells writes, “For a girl to do difficult things, like killing and maiming, is unthinkable. It is much more unthinkable than it is for a boy” (qtd. in Hogg). The stigma of murder lasts longer than others. Another major problem that women face is sexual exploitation. Often after they are released, they act sexually inappropriate. They receive many sexually transmitted infections, as well as mothering children. In many cultures, this poses a serious problem, even if a woman does eventually marry. Wessells said, “The new husband often will not accept the children of his wife’s previous relationships” (qtd. in “Burundi’s Former Child”). This will force these girls to send their babies off to family members who will accept them. Many more issues can come from this action. Killing, as well as repeated rape, can lead to shock and isolation. Wessels also reported that many girls “choose to keep silent about their experiences” (qtd. in Berk). Females want to be quiet about such appalling acts. For many, the difficulty to face such issues remains too much. Unthinkable behaviors cause women to struggle with the lingering affects of their actions for many years.
While the use of child soldiers has been around for years, the future does provide brighter opportunities for many. Many organizations are being setup to provide relief to the thousands facing difficulties reintegrating. The UN sponsors many groups, but one of them called “Come Home” helps ex-rebels return to communities and provides education and economic support (Kraul). Many of the countries that child soldiers come from already provide difficult living conditions, so the burden of returning from a traumatizing event adds more struggles. A group of college students has hit the American Culture to fight against the use of child soldiers, especially in Uganda. Invisible Children, a group of young adults passionate about ending this conflict, has made dramatic steps for peace. They have provided millions of dollars to build schools, shelters, and instill a sustainable environment for locals throughout war-torn Uganda. Most recently, they have been able to get Congress to pass the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Ugandan Recovery Act into law to help stop the war in Uganda. Many considered too young to make a change in the world have been able to speak up and start a revolution against this injustice.
Teens whose childhoods were safe and happy now stand together in order to put an end to one of the worst atrocities in the world. If a group of young people joined together and made such a difference, what could more do? In only six years, people have bonded together to fight against a common enemy. Problems do not stop at the fighting. The affects of fighting continue to plague the victims for years. Simply attempting to provide aid to those who have been child soldiers compares to putting duct tape on a hole in a dam. People need to eliminate the root of the problem. The cries of those who are too weak need hearing. In the same way, Invisible Children has shown, change is possible. However, people need to stand up to make a difference.
Berk, Samantha. “Reintegration a Major Issue for Former Child Soldiers.” America.gov Press Release. 17 Jun 2008: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 08 Nov 2010
“Burundi’s Former Child Soldiers Strive to Re-Enter Soceity.” America.gov Press Release. 05 Aug 2009: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 09 Nov 2010.
Francis, Krishan. “In Sri Lanka, New Start for Child Soldiers.” Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA) 25 Oct 2009: A.14. SIRS Researcher. Web. 09 Nov 2010
Gettleman, Jeffrey. “Armed & underage: across the glove, thousands of children are being forced to serve as soldiers.” New York Times (New York, NY). 20 Apr. 2009: 12+. Student Resource Center – Junior. Web. 9 Nov 2010.
Hogg, Chraru Lata. “Thailand’s Red Zone.” World Today (London, England). Jan 2010: 13. SIRS Researcher. Web. 08 Nov 2010.
Kraul, Chris. “Colombia Rebels Recruiting Youths.” Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA). 07 Oct 2009: A.22. Sirs Researcher. Web. 08 Nov 2010.
“A New Life: a former child soldier in Africa raps about his past.” Know Your World Extra. 25 Jan 2008: 6+. Student Resource Center – Junior. Web. 9 Nov 2010.
