In discussions of child soldiers, one controversial issue has been the innocence of child soldiers. On the one hand, prosecution, argues that child soldiers should be prosecuted. On the other hand, amnesty, contends that child soldiers should be granted amnesty. Others even maintain that they should be prosecuted if, and only if, they don’t go through the rehab, or deprogramming process. Which is the right view? My own view is that child soldiers should be granted amnesty.
Some declare that what child soldiers did is illegal and shouldn’t go unpunished. I agree that the act of murder and taking hardcore drugs is illegal, but how will punishment help children. Punishment won’t always stop children from doing the action that is wrong or illegal.…show more content… Jeffrey Gettleman, the author of Armed and Underage, states, “... children are often considered the perfect weapon: they are easily manipulated, intensely loyal...” (Page 6 of Armed and Underage by Jeffrey Gettleman) They might not know it was wrong because they’re just trying to be loyal and were manipulated into their corrupt mindsets. Many child soldiers don’t have a good role model or a father figure to follow the footsteps of. Some may just be seeking revenge on a certain group for harming or even killing their family and friends. Some may say that seeking revenge is deciding to harm someone, therefore the seeker is performing an illegal act knowing they are performing an illegal act, but I disagree. Many kids, even in developed countries, would rather seek vengeance than forgiveness, I can relate to those who would rather find revenge as I once would rather seek vengeance. According to Armed and Underage, Jeffrey Gettleman claims there are child suicide bombers in Afghanistan and Israel. No kids would want to harm or kill themselves unless forced to and/or on drugs. Drugs would corrupt their minds into thinking it was okay with allowing others to manipulate them more easily. On the topic of corrupt mindsets, a quote from Awil in Armed and Underage by Jeffrey Gettleman, Awil says, “I enjoy the gun.” The living conditions these children receive are probably terrible since child soldiers are usually in underdeveloped countries. The living conditions along with the overly strict military leaders and drugs corrupt these innocent child’s minds, even if the child is older than
