The rise of the child soldier

doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7348.0/g

The rise of the child soldier

Child soldiers are increasingly used in armed conflicts around the world. On p 1268, Somasundarum describes the factors thatprompt children to join armed groups: witnessing the death ofa relative, destruction of homes, displacement, economic difficulties,and political oppression and harassment. Understanding why childrenchoose to join armies is vital, he says, for reducing the phenomenaof child soldiers. Many children are left "complete psychologicaland social wrecks." Those who recruit, train, and deploy childsoldiers, he says, should be charged as war criminals.

(Credit: PANOS)