Why Child Soldiers

1534 Words7 Pages
Why Child Soldiers Deserve Amnesty Did you know that according to Jeffrey Gettleman, some African countries pick up children off of soccer fields and turn them into fighters? Many of us may not know what a child soldier is. A child soldier is a person who is under eighteen and is fighting for an armed group. Child soldiers are constantly being recruited around the world today. Many of them are being drugged up so they listen to their leaders without resisting. Many child soldiers didn't have an option when wanting to fight. it is surprising that the leaders don't control the children with remotes, considering how much they control them with drugs. Despite the fact some believe child soldiers shouldn't be given amnesty, I staunchly believe child…show more content…
Many of these children are in terrible places in the world. Their country's laws do not say much about child soldiers so there isn't much that people in the country can do to help. In the article “Child Soldiers Should Be Prosecuted” by Debatewise.org, they state “The recruiters of child soldiers also use drugs and alcohol to make children more compliant and to enable them to commit acts they would not ordinarily commit.” (Debatewise.org). This evidence shows that these child soldiers do not have a choice when it comes to fighting. They are drugged up so that they listen to their leaders and don't fight back. Also, in the article “Child Soldier Recruits Double in One Year in Middle East and North Africa” by Karen McVeigh, the author states how families are sending their children to fight so they can both stay alive. She states “More than 90% of these children live in countries affected by conflict, and in some cases families are sending their children to fight” (McVeigh). Since these families live in conditions where there isn't much left for them to benefit from, they send their children to fight while they run away. They do this so their children can potentially have better lives. Instead of the children not having any food or clothing, by being in the army, they will be provided with some sort of food and clothing.To be fair, considering the opposition, children may be able to run away from the fighting as many other child soldiers have in the past. But with the use of drugs it may be harder than one could think. By children being sent to fight, it allows them to live with everyday necessities like food and shelter but not with pleasant

More about Why Child Soldiers

Open Document