Child Soldiers: Tropes of Innocence and Terror

Authors

  • David Rosen Fairleigh Dickinson University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14672/ada2013200%25p

Keywords:

child soldiers, warfare, anthropology, history

Abstract

The image of child soldiers has dramatically shifted over time. In the past, child soldiers were often celebrated as symbols of virtue and patriotism, as seen with figures like Andrew Jackson. However, modern views portray them as tragic victims of war, embodying a stark contrast between childhood innocence and the brutal realities of conflict. This change reflects broader social shifts in the understanding of childhood, family authority, and state power. The challenge today lies in reconciling the idealized notions of childhood with the harsh empirical realities faced by child soldiers in contemporary warfare.

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Published

2013-10-31

Issue

No. 16 (2013): War

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2013 David Rosen

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