A Long Way Gone Research Paper Essay

When people imagine soldiers they think of strong men. However, some soldiers today are child soldiers. At a young age child soldiers witnessing and committing horrible acts of violence, which makes them at a higher risk for mental health issues like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Most child soldiers are between the ages of 15 and 18 years, but some are as young as 7 years old. At that young age children should not witness murder, rape, or even be able to be allowed to kill. According to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam,â€Å"Child soldiers refer to any person who is below the age of 18† (574). At that age it is a high risk that, that kid could be traumatized. Child soldiers are some of the most troubled populations of children and adolescents. According to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniel, and Adam,â€Å"The experiences the children the children are inflicted on are beatings, torture, witness of killing, and sexual abuse† (573). Also, according to Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam, children who have traumatic experiences are more likely to have mental health issues (574). One of these problems is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to Bayer et. Al and Vinck et, al, â€Å"child soldiers with more posttraumatic symptoms are less open to reconciliation, have higher feelings of revenge, and favor violent forms of behavior to resolve conflicts (Klasen, Oettingen, Daniels, and Adam 580). Therefore, because of the violence the children are witnessing, they are developing mental health issues. These mental issues are affecting these innocent kids at very young ages. The reason why is because child soldiers are witnessing murder, r ape, and committing murder. There should be an urgent stop to this so call Child Soldiers.