Children at War: The Reasons Why Young Soldiers Deserve to Live

Introduction

Imagine your entire family being killed, your town reduced to rubble, and having nowhere to go. You seek shelter in any place offering protection, only to be forced into a life of violence and killing. When rescued, people treat you like a monster, sentencing you to jail or even the death penalty, all at a very young age. This is the harsh reality for many children in war-torn regions. Society often views these young victims, who were forced into violence, as monsters, but they are indeed the victims. I believe that child soldiers should be granted amnesty from their crimes unless two years of rehabilitation fail to yield results. To start, many of these children were drugged and desensitized when they sought shelter, having faced the tragedy of losing their families and homes. They should not be punished with imprisonment. Instead, we should offer them a second chance at a happy life.

The Impact of Coercion and Drugs

Many child soldiers are coerced by drugs and their commanders, as highlighted in an interview by the author of "Child Soldier" (Beah, 2007). Held at gunpoint or left with no other option, these children seek shelter in terrorist camps. It is important to note that a child's brain is not fully developed until around the age of 20, leaving them vulnerable to emotional manipulation and lacking logical decision-making capabilities (Steinberg, 2008). Fresh from witnessing the horrors of war, these children are not in the right mindset when they are recruited by terrorist groups. This is just one story among many.

The Case for a Second Chance

The first reason that child soldiers should be given a second chance is the coercion they face. They did not willingly join terrorist groups. While some may join willingly, those in terrible conditions who remain unrepentant even after rehabilitation should be prosecuted. However, most children are forced at gunpoint, manipulated by drugs, and left with no other options, with their entire families dead or missing. Where else can they go but wherever shelter is offered? Sadly, many end up in terrorist camps. I believe that only if rehabilitation fails after two years should these children be tried. This approach gives drug-addicted children a chance to demonstrate that their actions were not their fault but rather the result of their commanders' coercion and the substances they were forced to consume.

The Psychological Aftermath

Another crucial reason for granting child soldiers a second chance is the psychological impact of their experiences. Many have witnessed the slaughter of family and friends, and they have wandered through devastated towns, often suffering from dehydration and hunger. These factors significantly impact decision-making, particularly in young, developing brains. The frontal lobe, responsible for decision-making, is the last part of the brain to develop (Casey et al., 2005). As a result, these children act on emotions, seeking help wherever they can find it. It is unjust to put on trial individuals whose brains were not fully developed at the time of their crimes.

Counterarguments and Rebuttals

Some may argue that child soldiers who knowingly joined terrorist groups should be prosecuted. As previously mentioned, a two-year rehabilitation period should be allowed. If this does not change their sincerity or remorse, then they should be tried for their actions. This proposal is made because some children genuinely become remorseful and plead for mercy, while others, like Omar Khadr, take pride in their actions even after rehabilitation and therapy (Khadr, 2012). Others, however, will plead for forgiveness and a second chance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, child soldiers should be given another chance at a better life for various reasons. They were brainwashed and coerced, faced the tragedy of losing family and friends, and witnessed unimaginable violence. There are many actions we can take to support these children in war-torn regions. We can deploy military forces to replace child soldiers and establish treatment camps with medical and therapeutic resources necessary for their recovery and rehabilitation. Additionally, we could send troops to rescue these children and bring them to safe places, such as the U.S. or specialized camps. The question is whether people are willing to help.

References

• Beah, I. (2007). A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Casey, B. J., et al. (2005). The adolescent brain. Developmental Review, 25(3-4), 242-262.
• Khadr, O. (2012). The Prisoner: The Story of My Captivity and Fight for Freedom. Grove Press.
• Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28(1), 78-106.