The Pros And Cons Of Child Soldiers

Thousands of children are being abused and drugged to fight bloody battles by adults and are being unfairly punished for it. Many people believe that these child soldiers are committing awful war crimes, but in fact they did not have a choice and are being unfairly forced into battle. These children are victims not perpetrators. To begin with these children are often forced into the war before they know what's happening and without a choice. "Thousands of boys, some as young as 10, are purchased, kidnapped, or terrorized into joining the country's army". This quote from the New York Times paper "armed and under aged" shows that many boys not have a choice and are impressed by adults through kidnappings and terrorization. "These kids can be so easily brainwashed," Ali says. "They don't even have to be paid. "This quote also from "armed and under aged" shows the that the children aren't even being paid and have very little incentive to join on there own while others force them to believe that its better for them. Secondly children in these armies become dependent on the commanders for food, water, drugs, and the little money they get."I have discovered that child soldiers are often forced into fighting through false promises. They are also forced into fighting through drugs and alcohol"(Child …show more content…
"Not prosecuting child soldiers may encourage commanders to use child soldiers to commit war crimes because they know there will be no consequences."(Should) Due to there being no consequences to there actions many commanders will recruit more child soldiers.International efforts to deter warring parties from committing atrocities require a clear and credible message to be sent: anyone involved in war crimes will face justice in future.(Should) If the soldiers are punished the opposite may occur where commanders recruit less boys into the