Compelling and humane, this book reveals the lives of the 300,000 child soldiers around the world, challenging stereotypes of them as predators or a lost generation. Kidnapped or lured by the promise of food, protection, revenge, or a better life, children serve not only as combatants but as porters, spies, human land mine detectors, and sexual slaves. Nearly one-third are girls, and Michael Wessells movingly reveals the particular dangers they face from pregnancy, childbirth complications, and the rejection they and their babies encounter in their local contexts. Based mainly on participatory research and interviews with hundreds of former child soldiers worldwide, Wessells allows these ex-soldiers to speak for themselves and reveal the enormous complexity of their experiences and situations. The author argues that despite the social, moral, and psychological wounds of war, a surprising number of former child soldiers enter civilian life, and he describes the healing, livelihood, education, reconciliation, family integration, protection, and cultural supports that make it possible. A passionate call for action, Child Soldiers pushes readers to go beyond the horror stories to develop local and global strategies to stop this theft of childhood.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Harvard University Press
ISBN-13
9780674032552
eBay Product ID (ePID)
96810940
Product Key Features
Book Title
Child Soldiers: from Violence to Protection
Author
Michael Wessells
Format
Paperback
Language
English
Topic
Government
Publication Year
2009
Type
Textbook
Genre
Children & Young Adults
Number of Pages
302 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height
235mm
Item Width
156mm
Additional Product Features
Title_Author
Michael Wessells
Topic Area
Children & Family
Country/Region of Manufacture
United States
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