Use of Children as Soldiers

Ruth A Etzel

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2020.12.010

Use of Children as Soldiers

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;68(2):437-447. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2020.12.010.

Author

Ruth A Etzel¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue, Northwest, Washington, DC 20052, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 33678297
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2020.12.010

Abstract

A child soldier is a person less than 18 years of age who/has been recruited/used by an armed force/armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, spies, or for sexual purposes. Complex consequences on both physical and mental health are reported among child soldiers. One-third to one-half of these children may have clinically significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The United Nations identified more than 25,000 grave violations against children during armed conflicts in 2019. The recruitment and use of children under 18 in armed conflicts must stop.

Keywords: Child soldier; Conflict; Mental health; Mycotoxin; Paris commitments; Post-traumatic stress disorder; War; Youth soldier.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Armed Conflicts / ethics
Armed Conflicts / psychology*
Child
Humans
Male
Military Personnel / psychology*
Psychology, Adolescent
Psychology, Child
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*