What is the motivation to use child soldiers on the part of armed forces?
WILLIAMS: Due to the proliferation of small arms – and their ready availability from nations such as the United States – children can easily carry a weapon and be taught to operate it. Children respond to orders well, are very unlikely to escape and are easy to brainwash. Vast numbers of children in war-torn countries lack parental figures – many of them have been killed – and are seeking an authority figure. Other children are on the run, often hungry, without proper shelter or any economic opportunity, and the possibility of an adult providing food, direction, shelter is appealing. Sexual and physical abuse is rampant in many military and rebel organizations and easy to inflict on a child. IW: What is the impact on the life of the child who is introduced into armed conflict? WILLIAMS: More and more studies are being done on the impact of direct participation in armed conflict on children. This blog regularly posts new reports and research on psychological treatments, therapies, and p
