Child Soldiers

[Nebulous]

The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities (child soldiers), or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in propaganda.
Throughout history and in many cultures, children have been extensively involved in military campaigns even when such practices were against cultural morals. Since the 1970s, a number of international conventions have come into effect that try to limit the participation of children in armed conflicts, nevertheless the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers reports that the use of children in military forces, and the active participation of children in armed conflicts is widespread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_use_of_children

What are your thoughts on this?

At what age do you think a person should be allowed to participate in armed conflicts and other combat activities?

 

[DrLeftover]

Perhaps a real world example:

By the beginning of 1943, Hitler's armies were stretched to the limit, battling the combined forces of Soviet Russia, United States, Britain and other Allies. By this time, most able-bodied German men were in the armed services. As a result, starting on January 26, 1943, anti-aircraft batteries were officially manned solely by Hitler Youth boys.

At first they were stationed at flak guns near their homes, but as the overall situation deteriorated, they were transferred all over Germany. The younger boys were assigned to operate search lights and assist with communications, often riding their bicycles as dispatch riders. In October 1943, a search light battery received a direct bomb hit, killing the entire crew of boys, all aged 14 and under.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/hitleryouth/hj-boy-soldiers.htm

One of these crews of teenaged boys included somebody you may have recently heard of:

In 1943, when he was 16, Joseph Ratzinger was drafted with many of his classmates into the Luftwaffenhelfer program.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_life_of_Pope_Benedict_XVI

and remember, the recruitment of young women also applied to those in their middle teens as is mentioned in the History Place article.

 

[Evil Eye]

What are your thoughts on this?

I am obviously in favour of child soldiers as a way to prevent adults from having to go to war... That didn't sound as stupid as I thought it would.
Well, no matter.

In an ideal world we would not need any [soldiers]. Is it right for me to give an age from which people can be sent to their deaths?

 

[Nebulous]

In an ideal world we would not need any [soldiers]. Is it right for me to give an age from which people can be sent to their deaths?

We're not in an ideal world, so yes, it is okay for you to say an age.

 

[Teg]

Personally, being a mom of young children, I think it is a horrible idea for kids to be going to war. I'd say that the legal age of consensual sex is a good age for them to become soldiers if I have to put a number on it specifically. But in all honesty, I am really sick and tired of of the wars all over the world, and now it's not even clear the reason we are still over seas. It's getting ridiculous.

 

[DrLeftover]

"War is cruelty. There is no use trying to reform it. The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over."
- William Tecumseh Sherman (1820 - 1891)


It would appear that the history courses in the current era are somewhat lacking in depth.

In the mentioned example, the US, and in fact, most of the European powers resisted the idea of declaring war, and in fact, gave away territory, the Sudetenland for one, to appease the German dictator.

Edward Murrow, the American broadcaster working for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) on 30th September, 1938, reported: "Thousands of people are standing in Whitehall and lining Downing Street, waiting to greet the Prime Minister upon his return from Munich. Certain afternoon papers speculate concerning the possibility of the Prime Minister receiving a knighthood while in office, something that has happened only twice before in British history. Others say that he should be the next recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize."

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRchamberlain.htm
-and-
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERsudetenland.htm


It didn't work.

Nobody, except for perhaps Mister Hitler, WANTED war.

But war was exactly what they got.

And if the Allies did not give as good as they got, and went in to win, the "EU" as it sits now would look quite different.

In short and to put it in modern 'pop culture' terms: in most cases, trying to pacify a bully doesn't work.

Examples in evidence: Iran's nuclear program, North Korea (ditto).

 

[Evil Eye]

Can't really compare Iran and north Korea to nazi Germany, can ya?

There are always similarities.
But indeed, they aren't all that comparable. I do not believe a majority of the leadership of Iran or North Korea wants war.
I rather doubt they'd stand as much chance as Germany did.

 

[DrLeftover]

Well, no. Except for....

An 'all powerful' figurehead leader allowed to rule by the military leadership.

A message of "destiny".

Isolation from the rest of the world.

Outside leaders who will do anything to appease the regime.

The majority of the national output geared to the military.

No.

 

[DrLeftover]

What does that have to do with child soldiers?

Re-read the thread.

You made the statement
"Can't really compare Iran and north Korea to nazi Germany, can ya?"

I simply answered.

And the way Iran is going, their Theocracy is well on its way to Fascism.

 

[DrLeftover]

You don't believe that Kim Jung Un's government, if put to it under threat from the outside, would draft kids?

They are already subjecting them to forced labor in concentration camps:

Human Rights in North Korea

Kim Jong-Un’s succession as North Korea’s supreme leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, has had no positive impact on the country’s dire human rights record. More than 200,000 North Koreans, including children, are imprisoned in camps where many perish from forced labor, inadequate food, and abuse by guards. Arbitrary arrest, lack of due process, and torture are pervasive problems. There is no independent media, functioning civil society, or religious freedom. Government policies have continually subjected North Koreans to food shortages and famine. Human Rights Watch is pressing for a UN commission of inquiry to investigate possible crimes against humanity in North Korea.

http://www.hrw.org/asia/north-korea

 

[DrLeftover]

The North simply has not had the same opportunity that Iran did during their war with Saddam Husein's Iraq.

July 7, 1987
SHIRZAD lasted about 24 hours on the battlefield. He'd been sent out ahead of his countrymen - a 12-year-old boy ordered to be a human minesweeper, setting off mines by poking them or jumping on them so that the adult soldiers behind him could advance safely.

During his one day of war, Shirzad saw boys around him being blown up. He was blinded in one eye by a mine shard and captured by Iraqi troops.

``I didn't have any arms to fight,'' he recalls. ``So I surrendered.''

http://www.csmonitor.com/1987/0707/zbtot4.html


next question

 

[DrLeftover]

Of the modern era, they would perhaps be at the top of the podium, with Iran in 'place' and perhaps Uganda in 'show'.

Oh, did I forget that bit of "man's inhumanity to man"?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/06/jungle-horror-survivor-uganda-lord-resistance-army-tells-his-story/


From the UN
http://www.un.org/events/tenstories/06/story.asp?storyID=100