A child soldier is any child under the age of eighteen who is part of an armed force or armed group that is either regular or irregular in any capacity. They are used for many purposes. They achieve what adults do in armies, but usually with violence. They are used as fighters, cooks, suicide bombers, human shields, messengers, spies, or for sexual purposes. Children join armed forces or groups for many reasons. Children are often used because they are easier to brainwash, and because they don’t need much food, and money. Some children are forced into it. Others that volunteer feel the pressure to join because it would provide them a form of income, food, or security. Official people are still deciding whether they should be punished or not. …show more content…
The reason behind this is that most of these children who are poor, and are away from their families have limited or almost no access to education. Children join armed forces or groups for many reasons. Children are often used because they are easier to brainwash, deal with, and because they don’t need much food, and money. In some situations, children are being threatened and forced to join. However, many children volunteer as a result of economic or social pressures, or because they believe the group will offer an income, food or security. Children are then separated from their families, moved from their homes, and would still have limited access to education. There are three uses of child soldiers. Children can take direct part in being soldiers, or they can be used in support roles such as, spies, messengers, lookouts. They can also be used for political advantage either as human shields or in advertising. Worldwide estimates suggest that girls may account for between 10 and 30 percent of children in fighting forces. Girls are used as soldiers in almost all conflicts. They are most often present in non-state armed groups but are also used by government forces. Girls are used to perform similar tasks to boys .They are especially used for sexual