Child soldiers are a global problem, but they have become more critical in Africa. Child soldiers are all children under the age of 18 recruited by some rebel groups and used as fighters, cooks, messengers, human shields and suicide bombers, some of them even under the age of 10 when they are forced to serve. Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children typically make obedient soldiers. Most of them are abducted or forcibly recruited and often forced to follow orders under threat of death. As society breaks down during conflict, denying children access to school, removing them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children find rebel groups becoming their best chance for survival. Others try to escape poverty or join the military forces to avenge family members killed by war. Sometimes they are even forced to commit atrocities against their own family (britjob p 4). The horrible and tragic fate of many unfortunate children is marked by war killings and suffering, more nations should help prevent these tragedies and stop the suffering of these poor, unfortunate and innocent children. Over the years, many militant and rebel groups have established themselves across Africa. due to the existence of these rebel groups, they trained children like Jetton. Incredibly, many of them were often spotted with very sophisticated weapons and many weapons capable of shooting down planes. child soldiers are harmful to peace and to the children who are the future (britjob p6). most people wonder why children are used as soldiers. the simplest reason is that children are more obedient than adults, they can almost carry out all the orders of their command... middle of paper... soldiers participate in combat, in a worldwide survey 91% of children soldier had served in combat. Another survey conducted in Colombia among FARC and ELN child soldiers found that 75 percent of them had fought at least once, with more respondents having taken part in more than ten battles. A third survey conducted in Africa found that 87% had served on the front lines (Eichstaedt 304). So harsh discipline and the threat of death continue to underline the training programs of nearly 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 Own Family First.Chicago, Illinois: Lawrence Hill Books, c2009Bracken, Patrick and Celia Petty (publishers). Rethinking the trauma of war. New York, NY: Save the Children Fund, Free Association Books, Ltd, 1998.