Review Of Ishmael Beah's Book 'A Long Way Gone'

Innocence Lost: Exploring the Lasting Physical and Psychological Impact on Child Soldiers “The war had given us new eyes to see the world, but they were eyes that would always haunt us”(Beah, 2008). Ishmael Beah’s book, A Long Way Gone, is a memoir of a boy soldier who talks about his first-hand experiences as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone. The book is a narrative that guides readers through the life of Ishmael Beah, from Beah’s childhood in a small village to the recruitment into government army and involvement in the war. Beah vividly describes the nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional stress he experiences even after being rescued and rehabilitated. Through Ishmael Beah’s story, Beah gives insight into the psychological

These young children, often as young as 6-8 years old, are thrown into a world of warfare and violence, forced to perform unimaginable acts. This practice often results in devastating consequences in the lives of children who become child soldiers. Moreover, child soldiers face countless numbers of physical consequences. These young individuals are exposed to violence, forced to endure harsh living conditions, and often subjected to physical abuse. Child soldiers also suffer from long-term psychological consequences, including trauma and loss of childhood innocence. These children often struggle to reintegrate into society and face challenges in forming healthy relationships. The long-term physical and psychological consequences faced by child soldiers introduce a range of issues, including the development of PTSD, depression, physical injuries and the lasting impact on overall well-being. The Toll of War: Physical Consequences Faced by Child

These consequences can have long-lasting impacts on their health and well-being. There are several physical consequences that these young individuals have to go through during their time in war. One significant physical consequence is the risk of injury and disability. Child soldiers are often exposed to intense violence and are forced to participate in combat. Corbin states, "Child soldiers experience a multitude of physical effects, including injuries and disabilities from gunshot wounds, landmine accidents, and other physical hardships''(Corbin, 2012). These young individuals, tragically caught in the midst of armed conflicts, endure a wide range of physical effects that have profound impacts on their lives. Child soldiers, often as young as 6-8 years old, are prone to get hurt as they engage in battle. These physical injuries are long-lasting, where even as adults, these young individuals would still suffer from these injuries. Many of these individuals could also be killed during their service due to working in landmines. Furthermore, there are horrifying physical consequences endured by abducted children who are forced into becoming child soldiers. A narrative analysis of former child soldiers conveys, "Abducted children are ritually terrorized, sexually exploited, forced to watch beatings, maiming, rape and killings"(O'Callaghan, Storey & Rafferty, 2012). These