I found an interesting story on Fox News.
As we all know there are still extremist countries around the globe that utilize child soldiers. Some of these nations include Somalia, Republic of Congo, Yemen, and Chad. In an attempt to stop this, President Bush signed the Child Soldier Prevention Act in 2008 while still in office. As a penalty, the United States does not provide military assistance as well as tax dollar financing to any of these countries if they are still using children in war.
To my amazement i found that President Obama waived the penalties to Congo, Yemen, Chad,and Sudan. The Act has not been in effect for a year and exceptions are already being made. How do we expect to stop child soldiers by waiving penalties to these countries? Why did we even make this law if the president can simply waive it at his will is my question. It also seems the this decision has been carried out with a sense of quietness as there was no justification given in the presidents decision for waving the penalties. But, members of his administration stated that these penalties would do "more harm than good". The administration also believes that the alleged countries need more time to excrete their extreme practices. I don't believe that this is the case with these countries. Children are not only more vulnerable in combat but they can be traumatized much easier than an older soldier.These kids are being trained from a very young age to kill and be violent. As a result, when they grow older they become immune to this violent way of life and they tend to implement these extreme practices like it was once done to them. I don't know about you but the thought of being in combat against a child is just so wrong.
I believe the United States should find a more efficient way of dealing with these countries in manners that don't complicate the situation. Not giving these countries aid will not help the situation either because countries like Yemen will be forced to use their child soldiers because they lack funds and militia. I think that we should focus on developing these countries legitimate armies that don't use child soldiers.
