Le choix d’un métier à risque : fantassin de l’infanterie canadienne en temps de guerre

Abstract

In our opinion, academic research into why young Canadians choose a military career in times of war
 remains very peripheral. Nevertheless, during Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, many young people
 joined the Canadian Armed Forces, including as infantry soldiers. We address this phenomenon as a way
 of reflecting on the sociological, cultural, and existential factors that lead young people to make such a
 career choice – one that, in the contemporary context, remains unconventional and can prove fatal. The
 notion of risk taking and the role it plays in the lives and career choices of certain young people serves as
 both the starting point and common thread for our analysis.