An Introduction to Child Soldiering, Its Images, and Realities

Abstract

Child soldiers are often victims of grave human rights abuses, yet, in some cases, they also participate actively in inflicting violence upon other persons. Nonetheless, the international discourse on child soldiers often tends to ignore the latter dimension of children’s involvement in armed conflict and instead focuses exclusively on their role as victims. While it might seem as though the discourse is hence beneficial for child soldiers as it protects them from blame and responsibility, it is important to realize that the so-called passive victim narrative entails various adverse consequences, which can hinder the successful reintegration of child soldiers into their families, communities, and societies. The first chapter provides an overview of the images and realities of child soldiering. After discussing the definition of the term child soldier, it gives a brief introduction to the relevant provisions in international law. Subsequently, the dominant images of child soldiers, as featured in the discourse on children’s involvement in armed conflict, and their influence on international policy will be discussed. The chapter then analyzes the recruitment of child soldiers as well as their experiences during and after armed conflict. Hereafter, it concentrates on determining why the exclusive focus on child soldiers’ victimization is not only inadequate but can even be harmful, before exploring notions of agency and accountability.