Root Causes of Child Soldiering

While international norms are increasingly being implemented to combat the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, more attention is also being directed towards studying the root causes of child soldiering and devising effective prevention programmes.

Children are often abducted and forced into association with armed groups, but sometimes they appear to join willingly. Poverty, illiteracy and discrimination, as well as a lack of formal education and livelihood opportunities, are some of the drivers of "voluntary" recruitment. Protection, survival, desire for revenge or a sense of belonging due to loss of home and family members also sometimes compel children to join armed groups. For some, the lack of legitimate avenues for political dissent and participation or ideologies of nationalism or ethnic identity become powerful motivating factors.

Children are considered an economically efficient alternative to adult combatants. They are easily indoctrinated, manipulated and influenced by heroic notions of masculinity and power. The length of a conflict, the proximity of refugee camps or internally displaced persons' settlements to conflict zones, the failed reintegration of children and the impunity of those who recruit and use children are additional contributing factors.

However, in spite of the multiple push and pull factors that may exist, ultimately it is the decision of individual commanders to recruit children. Therefore, ensuring that violators are held accountable carries a critical deterrent effect. Concerted emphasis must be maintained on fighting the impunity of perpetrators. In addition, the reasons underlying the motivations of children themselves for engaging in armed conflict should be analysed in greater detail, taking into consideration the socio-economic contexts that shape and constrain their lives, and the political-security environment that conditions their responses.