The world is made up of millions of beings, and although many have the same goals and beliefs in life, conflict often arises between different groups. A group that most don’t think about very often is child soldiers. In the book Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala, you are able to get an uncut look into what life is like as a child soldier. Focused mainly around a young boy Agu, the book follows him through his life as a child soldier. Although there are many topics that the book brings to the table, taking a look at Agus psychological state throughout his time in war is something that is needed to be able to fully understand what life is like as a child soldier. Throughout the book the world changes around Agu, and he struggles to keep
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Besides the clear issues of having children so young fight in a brutal and gruesome war, some issues that are often over looked are that of the psychological impacts during and post war. In an article by Forbes Magezine titled “For Child Soldiers, Every Day Is A Living Nightmare”, they analyze life as a child soldier in general, and the effects of the war. “Studies show that these children suffer from high rates of depression and anxiety. They are also victimized by the loss of a moral compass and social bonds.” (Chatterjee, 1). This supports the idea that child soldiers in general are largely effected by their intense surroundings in war. Often children are forced into a dehumanized state through brainwashing. Since the children are so young they are very impressionable and easy to manipulate into believing whatever their leader says. As Forbes stated, they lose a sense of their moral compass, and do not see what is wrong with their barbaric actions because they look up to and follow what their leaders say and …show more content…
In an Article titled “Coping With the Trauma of Way” Myriam Denov explains “In the aftermath of the conflict, thousands of girls and boys may have no skills beyond those they had acquired in fighting or in surviving the conflict.” (798, Denov). Agu relates to this because he left for war at an important time in his life. He had not finished school, and was still at a point in his life that he relied heavily on his parents. So when entering war he looked up to the Commandant as almost a father figure. Once brainwashed, Agu continued to learn but only in ways to fight in the war. Once returning home, already a hard adjustment, Agu must try to begin school again and create a better future for himself. In addition, an article titled, “Mental Health Consequences of war: a brief review of research findings”, Murthy R. Srinivas analyzes war, mental health, vulnerable groups and coping strategies. In Srinivas article he uses quotes from the media to depict the impact of war on mental health, one states “War is hell...it has an impact on the people who take part that never leaves.” (Srinivas, 1). Srinivas uses this quote from the media to describe the struggles of war on mental health. It shows the like Denov’s research, that adjustments after war can be hard, and the effects may never fully go away. Both Denov’s and Srinivas’s research give a good picture of what recovery
Besides the clear issues of having children so young fight in a brutal and gruesome war, some issues that are often over looked are that of the psychological impacts during and post war. In an article by Forbes Magezine titled “For Child Soldiers, Every Day Is A Living Nightmare”, they analyze life as a child soldier in general, and the effects of the war. “Studies show that these children suffer from high rates of depression and anxiety. They are also victimized by the loss of a moral compass and social bonds.” (Chatterjee, 1). This supports the idea that child soldiers in general are largely effected by their intense surroundings in war. Often children are forced into a dehumanized state through brainwashing. Since the children are so young they are very impressionable and easy to manipulate into believing whatever their leader says. As Forbes stated, they lose a sense of their moral compass, and do not see what is wrong with their barbaric actions because they look up to and follow what their leaders say and …show more content…
In an Article titled “Coping With the Trauma of Way” Myriam Denov explains “In the aftermath of the conflict, thousands of girls and boys may have no skills beyond those they had acquired in fighting or in surviving the conflict.” (798, Denov). Agu relates to this because he left for war at an important time in his life. He had not finished school, and was still at a point in his life that he relied heavily on his parents. So when entering war he looked up to the Commandant as almost a father figure. Once brainwashed, Agu continued to learn but only in ways to fight in the war. Once returning home, already a hard adjustment, Agu must try to begin school again and create a better future for himself. In addition, an article titled, “Mental Health Consequences of war: a brief review of research findings”, Murthy R. Srinivas analyzes war, mental health, vulnerable groups and coping strategies. In Srinivas article he uses quotes from the media to depict the impact of war on mental health, one states “War is hell...it has an impact on the people who take part that never leaves.” (Srinivas, 1). Srinivas uses this quote from the media to describe the struggles of war on mental health. It shows the like Denov’s research, that adjustments after war can be hard, and the effects may never fully go away. Both Denov’s and Srinivas’s research give a good picture of what recovery