What is the impact of child soldiers?

Child soldiers are more often killed or injured than adult soldiers on the front line. They are less costly for the respective group or organization than adult recruits, because they receive fewer resources, including less and smaller weapons and equipment.

Why do child soldiers join the army?

Children become part of an armed force or group for various reasons. Some are abducted, threatened, coerced or manipulated by armed actors. Others are driven by poverty, compelled to generate income for their families. Still others associate themselves for survival or to protect their communities.

Are child soldiers still used today?

Despite global efforts to end the use of child soldiers, girls and boys are still forced into combat – as fighters and in other roles – in at least 14 countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia. Tens of thousands of children are estimated to be recruited and used by armed groups.

Do children make good soldiers?

Because children are often physically vulnerable, easily intimidated, and susceptible to psychological manipulation, they typically make obedient soldiers. As part of their training for violence, child recruits are often subject to grueling physical tasks as well as ideological indoctrination.

Why are child soldiers important?

Many children are forced to join military groups at a young age. Child soldiers are also easier to manipulate and force into conflict. Military organizations are viewed as a safe and secure group of comrades, distant from their difficult lives. There are several roles that militant groups fill with child soldiers.

How can child soldiers be helped?

UNICEF and partners provide released children with medical care, counseling, education, vocational training and a safe place to live while they recover from the trauma they’ve experienced. Please support UNICEF’s work around the world to free child soldiers and reunite them with their families.

Why is child soldiers an issue?

Regardless of how children are recruited and of their roles, child soldiers are victims, whose participation in conflict bears serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being. They are commonly subject to abuse and most of them witness death, killing, and sexual violence.

Why are child soldiers a problem?

Why is child soldiers a problem?

How are children served as soldiers?

Thousands of children are serving as soldiers in armed conflicts around the world. These boys and girls, some as young as 8 years old, serve in government forces and armed opposition groups. They may fight on the front lines, participate in suicide missions, and act as spies, messengers, or lookouts. Girls may be forced into sexual slavery.

Why don’t more young Americans have military family members?

And among those ages 18-29, the share is only one-third. This gap may be attributable in part to a life cycle effect – younger adults are less likely to have a spouse or a grown child, so they have fewer opportunities to have a family member who has served in the military. They may accumulate more military family members as they age.

How old do children have to be to fight in war?

Thousands of children are serving as soldiers in armed conflicts around the world. These boys and girls, some as young as 8 years old, serve in government forces and armed opposition groups. They may fight on the front lines, participate in suicide missions, and act as spies, messengers, or lookouts.

Do you have military family members who served in the military?

For many of these adults, their military family members are likely to have served prior to the phasing out of the military draft in 1973. However, adults under the age of 50 are much less likely to have family members who served in the military. Some 57\% of those ages 30-49 say they have an immediate family member who served.