Child Soldiers : From Violence to Protection

Wessells, Michael

ISBN 10: 0674032551 / ISBN 13: 9780674032552

Published by Harvard University Press, 2009

About this Item

Unread book in perfect condition.

Seller Inventory # 5908897

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Child Soldiers : From Violence to Protection
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674032551
• ISBN 13: 9780674032552
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

Michael Wessells is an experienced child protection practitioner with Christian Children's Fund and Professor at Columbia University and Randolph-Macon College.