Use of Child Soldiers a Barbaric Practice

Underage soldiers are an example of child labor at its worst (“Child Soldiers Used Widely, Report Finds,” June 13). In the past children were used as soldiers only when a nation was desperate, like Germany at the end of World War II or Russia during World War I. Now countries, particularly in Asia and Africa, routinely use them, and not only boys but girls as well.

In addition to being poorly paid, these children are subjected to deplorable and dangerous conditions that could do irreparable psychological and physical harm to them, are held in low esteem and thus are considered expendable and are deprived of their childhood. Sometimes they are even ordered to perform atrocities or become sex slaves.

It’s time for the world to stop using children to do a man’s job. Youth are a country’s most prized asset; by using children as soldiers a nation is depleting its resources and, in effect, slitting its own throat. If Third World nations want to earn respect from the world community, the first thing they should do is to end the barbaric practice of using child soldiers.

Kenneth L. Zimmerman

Huntington Beach