Research Recruitment Policies
At what age would YOU be willing to fight for your country?
Background
Recruitment into the military is not just an issue in developing
countries. A number of industrialized countries accept voluntary recruits at the age of
17—some even as young as 16. Both the United States and the United
Kingdom have sent 17-year-olds into combat.
Take Action
Research the age limits for both compulsory and voluntary recruitment
in your country's military. This information is available
in the Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 produced by the Coalition
to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.
If appropriate, write to your legislative representatives to express
your views on the military recruitment of people younger than 18 years old within your country.
Illustration:
Felicity O. Yost. Source:
Marie, In the Shadow of the Lion, by Jerry Piasecki. ©
United Nations, 2001 |
