Document 4: Summary Throughout the world, the use of child soldiers is a serious problem. Today, around 300,000 children as young as nine are involved in armed conflicts around the world. These children live in constant fear of being trapped in an ambush, landmines or gunfire. Girls are also used. In fact, around a third of child soldiers are girls. They are given the same work as boys, but they are used as sex slaves and forced to be the “wives” of their commanders. Girls are often infected with sexually transmitted diseases or HIV/AIDS and have a high chance of becoming pregnant. Boys and girls face great psychological suffering after being a war figure. This problem is most common in Africa, but children are also used in several Asian countries, parts of Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. Non-governmental armed groups are primarily responsible for the use of children as soldiers. Living conditions for child soldiers are generally very harsh and discipline is maintained through brutal and unjust punishments. Life is very dangerous, surrounded by intense drug use and an environment lacking food, clean water and poor sanitation. Many children die from these causes in such inhumane conditions. It is up to first world countries, like the United States, to intervene to prevent these children from having their basic human rights stolen. The article “Exploring the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers” by Stian Eisentrager analyzes recent media attention on children used as soldiers in wars in developing countries like Liberia and clarifies the causes of child soldier recruitment. child soldiers. The article discusses the cultural differences between first and third world countries that create... middle of paper ...... kidnappings from them, forced to join military forces either by the government or rebel forces . These children are traumatized, vulnerable and forced to commit horrific acts of violence, just to ensure their own survival. Greater efforts than are currently being made to ensure children's safety and basic human rights are crucial for the protection of these children. Works Cited Eisentrager, Stian. “Exploring the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.” electronic international relations. May 1-9, 2007. Web. October 27, 2013. Hill, Karl. “Rehabilitation programs for African child soldiers”. Peace Review (Palo Alto, California) 2003. Volume 15 Article 3Howana, Alcinda, Kathleen Sheldon. Child soldiers in Africa. The International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 39, no. 3 (2006), pp. 509-511Published by: Boston