Understanding the context of voluntary child soldiers: Why did they choose to join the irregular armed forces? The case study of Sierra Leone

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• Título: Understanding the context of voluntary child soldiers: Why did they choose to join the irregular armed forces? The case study of Sierra Leone
• Autor: Ballesteros Duarte, María Paula
• Publicación original: 2010
• Descripción física: PDF
• Nota general:
  • Sierra Leone’s war is known for the high prevalence of child soldiers actively engaged during its lengthy civil war. 70% of the combatants were underage when recruited, with most of them joining the irregular armies voluntarily. In spite of the superficial causes that may differ from case to case, economic, educational and socio-political factors have been the most recognized driving forces that influence the decision of children and youngsters to join the armed forces, and were definitely the driving forces for young combatants in Sierra Leone.
    The crisis of youth originated by the socioeconomic conditions in Sierra Leone and made worse by the Structural Adjustment Program in the 80s, was a key factor for children and youngsters to join the irregular forces. Even though choosing to become soldiers may appear as a conscious decision that involves agency, the structure of the individuals cannot be detached and judged independently. Whether these children volunteered or were coerced, most of them were uneducated and hungry; therefore it is misleading to consider this type of recruitment as voluntary.
• Notas de reproducción original: Digitalización realizada por la Biblioteca Virtual del Banco de la República (Colombia)
• Notas:
  • Sierra Leona
  • Resumen: Niños soldados; Reclutamiento forzado; Conflictos armados; Milicias
  • © Derechos reservados del autor
  • Colfuturo
• Forma/género: tesis
• Idioma: inglés
• Institución origen: Biblioteca Virtual del Banco de la República
• Encabezamiento de materia:
  • Ciencias sociales; Ciencias sociales / Problemas y servicios sociales - asociaciones