Child soldiers are a global problem, but it is in Africa where it has become most critical. Child soldiers are children under the age of 18 who are recruited by some rebel groups and used as fighters, cooks, messengers, human shields and suicide bombers, with some of them even under the age of 10 when forced to serve. . Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children generally make obedient soldiers. Most of them are kidnapped or forcibly recruited, and often forced to obey orders under threat of death. As society collapses during the conflict, denying children access to school, kicking them out of their homes, or separating them from family members, many children feel that rebel groups are their best chance. survival. Others seek to escape poverty or join military forces to avenge family members killed in war. Sometimes they were even forced to commit atrocities against their own families (britjob p 4). The horrible and tragic fate of many unfortunate children is on the path of killings and war suffering, more nations should help prevent these tragedies and end the suffering of these poor, unfortunate and innocent children. Over the years, many militant and rebel groups have formed across Africa. Due to the existence of these rebel groups, they trained children like Jetton. Shockingly, many of them have often been seen carrying very sophisticated weapons and many weapons capable of shooting down aircraft. child soldiers are detrimental to peace and the children who are the future (britjob p6). Most people wonder why children are used as soldiers. the most basic reason is that children are more obedient than adults, they can almost carry out all orders of their command...... middle of paper ...... the military participates in combat, in an investigation Worldwide, 91 percent of child soldiers have served in combat. Another survey of FARC and ELN child soldiers in Colombia found that 75 percent had fought at least once, with several respondents taking part in more than ten battles. A third survey in Africa found that 87 percent of them had served on the front lines (Eichstaedt 304). Thus, harsh discipline and the threat of death continue to underline the training programs of almost all groups of child soldiers. Works Cited Singer, PW (Peter Warren) Children at war. New York: Pantheon Books c2005.tEichstaedt, Peter H., 1947- Kill Your Family First.Chicago, IL: Lawrence Hill Books, c2009Bracken, Patrick and Celia Petty (editors). Rethinking the trauma of war. New York, NY: Save the Children Fund, Free Association Books, Ltd, 1998.