Why Child Soldiers?

For mobilization of resources and populations for wars, army leaders prefer children over adults for a variety of reasons. It should be noted that over forty percent of the population in Sub-Saharan African countries are below the age of fifteen. Consequently, this resource is always available as “it is nearly unlimited, easier to mobilize and, some will argue, ‘expendable’” (Vautraver 103).

Some army leaders in conflict areas disregard human rights and see children as chess pieces on their war chessboards. They are willing to kill a number of children because they think children are replaceable. In addition, militaries find child soldiers as an effective financial strategy because the kids consume much less food than older soldiers, and because children are small in size, army leaders can save space (Ali 4).

Besides, there are psychological advantages, too. Children are “psychologically more vulnerable than many adults, who already have a more shaped personality” (Ann-Lynn). It is blatantly easier to influence and control children than adults. Also, army leaders reckon that children are more duteous, can adapt to being threatened, and they do not tend to revolt against leaders.

Moreover, younger generations do not have enough life experience, they “lack a sense of fear”, that is why they accept more dangerous mission without scrutinizing them. Besides, children are more loyal and dependent on instruction. For this, Anne-Lynne Dudenhoefer points out in her article, “Understanding the Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Africa,” that:

"If parents, family and friends are lost, children might transfer loyalty to another adult, especially one who holds the power of reward and punishment. They can be psychologically manipulated through a deliberate program of starvation, thirst, fatigue, voodoo, indoctrination, beatings, the use of drugs and alcohol, and even sexual abuse to render them compliant to the new norms of child soldiering."

Taking advantages of these situations, the rebel factions reinforce their army by exploiting children. Therefore, children in those areas become lucrative quarries for the armed forces without any support or protection.

References:

Ali, Shaikh M. “Child Soldiers.” 2001, https://www.ma-law.org.pk/pdf/Child%20Soldier%20eidted.pdf.

Anne-Lynn, Dudenhoefer. “Understanding the Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Africa.” Accord, 16 Aug. 2016. http://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/understanding-recruitment-child-soldiers-africa/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2017.

Vautravers, Alexandre J. “Why Child Soldiers are Such a Complex Issue.” Refugee Survey Quarterly, vol.27 issue 4, Dec. 2008, pp. 96-107. doi:10.1093/rsq/hdp002.