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"Child soldiers Sierra Leone Reintegration."
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Childhood deployed : remaking child soldiers in Sierra Leone
\"Childhood Deployed examines the reintegration of former child soldiers in Sierra Leone. Based on eighteen months of participant-observer ethnographic fieldwork and ten years of follow-up research, the book argues that there is a fundamental disconnect between the Western idea of the child soldier and the individual lived experiences of the child soldiers of Sierra Leone. Susan Shepler contends that the reintegration of former child soldiers is a political process having to do with changing notions of childhood as one of the central structures of society.For most Westerners the tragedy of the idea of \"child soldier\" centers around perceptions of lost and violated innocence. In contrast, Shepler finds that for most Sierra Leoneans, the problem is not lost innocence but the horror of being separated from one's family and the resulting generational break in youth education. Further, Shepler argues that Sierra Leonean former child soldiers find themselves forced to strategically perform (or refuse to perform) as the\"child soldier\" Western human rights initiatives expect in order to most effectively gain access to the resources available for their social reintegration. The strategies don't always work--in some cases, Shepler finds, Western human rights initiatives do more harm than good.While this volume focuses on the well-known case of child soldiers in Sierra Leone, it speaks to the larger concerns of childhood studies with a detailed ethnography of people struggling over the situated meaning of the categories of childhood.It offers an example of the cultural politics of childhood in action, in which the very definition of childhood is at stake and an important site of political contestation\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
Post-traumatic stress symptoms among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone: follow-up study
Former child soldiers are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the trajectory of symptoms has yet to be examined.
The risk and protective factors associated with PTSD symptom change among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone were investigated.
Data from 243 former child soldiers (mean age 16.6 years, 30% female) were analysed.
Self-reported rates of possible PTSD using standard cut-off points declined from 32% to 16% 4 years later (P<0.05). Symptoms of PTSD at baseline were significantly associated with war experiences (P<0.01) and post-conflict family abuse (P<0.001). Reliable improvement in symptoms was reported by 30%. In growth models examining symptom change, worsening of symptoms was associated with death of a parent (P<0.05) and post-conflict stigma (P<0.001). Protective effects were observed for increases in family acceptance (P<0.001).
The findings indicated improvement in PTSD symptoms among former child soldiers despite limited access to care. Family and community support played a vital part in promoting psychological adjustment.
Journal Article
The role of education in reintegrating ex-child soldiers: the case of Sierra Leone
In the shadow of Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, a poignant question emerges: How can education help fix the damage caused by war and bring former child soldiers back into society? This study delves into the heart of this question, exploring the effectiveness and gender-specific challenges of education programs designed for these young survivors, within the broader framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) processes. This qualitative study relies on key informant interviews and thematic analysis to explore the impacts of educational strategies on reintegration. Focussing on the underrepresented girls in DDR initiatives, the study uncovers educational disparities that persist in post-conflict settings. Through a gendered approach, the research also advocates for a more equitable approach to DDR in line with the aspirations of Paris Principles (2011), and strives to transform theoretical frameworks into tangible outcomes, crafting pathways that support healing and learning.
Journal Article