Physics Project Reflection 1 - Carey

Hello Parents and Teachers, we have been working on both a Rollercoaster and Rube Goldberg project. So far we have made the first slide off of the top of the rollercoaster but we haven't started our Rube Goldberg part at all.

I see our project turning out to be one of the best, if not the best project for this year and prior years. What I imagine our project turn out with is first, at the top, there is a small Rube Goldberg project where a marble goes down a tiny rollercoaster, which then hits a few dominos, which push a toy car. That toy car pushes a marble which rolls down the rollercoaster, does a loop, then makes a turn. After the turn, the marble goes through a batwing and then a downward loop. After that loop, the marble goes around again and rolls onto the table. The marble hits another Rube Goldberg project which includes dominos, rubber bands, toy cars, and another marble at the end of the table (the Rube Goldberg project goes around the supports on the table). Then that marble at the end of the table gets pushed and goes into another roller coaster which brings the rolling marble to the ground. That rolling marble hits a button, or lever, and shoots of a catapult. Inside the catapult is a different marble which hits a few Jenga blocks. The Jenga blocks fall over and push a toy car, the toy car rolls on the ground and pushes a lever which puts up a science which says "The End," or "Thank You."

So far, as I said in the intro, we have only started the set up where the first Rube Goldberg project is going to be, and we put up the first tubing for the roller coaster. We have brought lots of boxes and a few sticks/poles for the project. So far that is all that we have brought from home. Other than that, we are able to use the tubing for the roller coasters, Exacto knives, and strong tape.

Our progress so far (we have a bit more than this):




A frustration/challenge that we had is learning how to work with each other as well as listening to each other's ideas with respect and as a possibility of using it.

By next class, we are hoping to finish most of the roller coaster and the first Rube Goldbridge project.

Our "Before" picture:



Same photo of our "current" progress:




And... a cool loading gif:

Blog Post #3: What were the challenges

What has been a challenge so far?

Challenge #1:

So far I have had a couple challenges. The biggest challenge was probably deciding whether I should change or not from my old idea, which was "Cleaning up the Oceans" and I actually already started my website about it. Then one day when I was working on it, one of my friends told me that cleaning up the oceans is a boring idea and that I won't like it. I thought about it for a couple of minutes and then decided to change to another one of his suggestions, which was making something about tennis since I am good at it. Now I have made an outline for my tennis website, which you can see here. I am happy that I took his recommendation because I can tell that it would be more fun than cleaning up the oceans. I also know a lot more about tennis that about the oceans, so I would have needed to do a lot of research. Another thing is, I would have had to make an essay about cleaning up the oceans, while I can just make videos to teach people about tennis, a lot more fun.

Challenge #2:

Another challenge that I have faced was trying to find time to film my videos to teach people numerous shots. So far I have not overcome this challenge. I will try to film it this weekend, but I doubt that I will have the time to do so, as well as a physical problem. Other than that I am completely finished with the outline of my website.

What have you learned or how have you grown from your experiences from your challenges? 

Overcoming my challenges was an experience in itself. I have realized that I am able to overcome these challenges and that I will manage to overcome many other challenges in the future.

There are a few experiences that I have gained from this project, and many more experiences will probably follow due to the project not being over or finished yet. I have gained a few experiences which I will list now:

My Experiences:

Experience #1:

The moral lesson for my first experience is "Always choose the path that you will like, be proud of in the future, and enjoy the most." - Ayvret

Experience #2:

My second moral lesson for my second experience is "Set aside some time for other things. As well as sometimes you have to take away time from your favorite things that aren't so important and make use of that time for more important things." - Ayvret

If I could go back in time, what advice would I give to myself?

Umm, this is a tricky one,  I would probably tell myself not to start the "Cleaning up the Oceans" project because I think I used a week to start that project. Other than that, I don't think there is anything else.

How do I see my project ending up, and how is it different to my original thoughts?

Well, it's actually quite different because I thought that I was going to end up with a completely different project than that I think I am now. But if I am comparing now to the time when I started my tennis project, I kind of feel that it is going to be similar. The only difference is that I didn't know what my website was going to look like, or the content of it.

Blog post #3: ISTE standard #1

In my project, which is making a website that informs people about how the pollution in our oceans is really damaging and effecting us tremendously. Also I will try to persuade and teach people not to throw garbage in the oceans and either throw it away or recycle it.

Empowered Learner - Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

I think I am using ISTE standard #1 in a couple of different ways. ISTE standard #1 is "Empowered Learner," where it basically talks about how technology helps students be part of, understand learning goals, and being able to choose. (ISTE standards for students)


(Drawing and photo by me, Ayvret van Waveren)

The ways I am using this standard is by using research in websites to learn more about pollution in the Oceans.

1d - Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfertheir knowledge to explore emerging technologies.

Another way is sending my teacher my final product, and him reviewing it.

1c - Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

The final way I am using ISTE standard #1 is by setting personal goals, by filling out a calendar where I say what I want done, and by when.

1a - Articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.

Blog post #2: How am I doing so far?

  This Ted Talk is called "A Robot That Eats Pollution"

  I linked this video from YouTube

Why I choose this Ted Talk

I choose to write about this Ted Talk for many reasons.

Firstly, this person is an engineer that uses his knowledge and ideas for the greater good of mankind, he uses his robot-making skills to make a robot that eats pollution and cleans up our used-to-be clean waters.

Secondly, he is very passionate about his project, his project looks like something that makes him come alive and something that he is very interested in. He probably got up in the morning every day, not being able to wait to get going with his project. 

This inspired me in many ways, mainly because of the way he talked and explained his project. He explained it very informatively but also so that everyone understands it.

Thirdly, this is the perfect example of the project that we are supposed to make. We have to make a project that helps the world in someway, he did this. We have to make something for our project, he also did this. We also have to make something somewhat new, this idea he made is really new and original. With all of our requirements met, this is a perfect example of a project for us.

What I thought about this Ted Talk

The topic of this Ted Talk is building a robot that picks up garbage in the water. I am really in favor of these kinds of ideas that help the world in many ways.

People like this person are the biggest hope right now in the world. They are the ones that come up with these genius ideas that help our planet from becoming a devastated junk yard. We can need some people to put this onto a mass scale. To help the world, and to stop other countries from becoming places like China with their amount of pollution.

Ideas about a project

Right now I don't have any ideas about my project, meaning right now I have no idea what I am going to do. I'm feeling a tiny bit nervous about me choosing my project and thinking of what to do. I am also a bit nervous about making a project in time. 

Blog post #1 for Media Literacy

Blog post #1 for Media Literacy

What are my thoughts about this project?

Right now I have mixed feelings about the project. I have a blank mind about what my project should be about because the things that I think make me come alive are skiing and snowboarding. Using these ideas is not possible due to the fact that we live in Oman, and there is no snow. I am also a bit nervous about presenting my ideas. In my opinion, I am pretty good at presenting in front of an audience, but I don't think I am going to be as confident as I normally would be because I am not sure that I would be ready in time to present.

What are my questions about this class?

Except for wanting to see the rubric for our presentation, so that I would know what our teacher is assessing us on. Other than that I don't really have any broad questions about this class because of the way Mr. Mongardi, our teacher, explained it to us. In terms of non-broad questions/personal questions, I would like Mr. Mongardi to help me choose a topic and help me get ideas about how I should do my project.

What am I excited about? 

I am excited about enjoying this class and I am a bit anxious about what I am going to think about this class. Whether I like it or not, and what my thoughts will be on it. I also excited about waiting for this class every day, because I hopefully will have a topic that makes me come alive and will be fun for me.

What am I nervous about?

In general, I am sort of nervous about how the class will go for me and whether or not I will enjoy it. I also am nervous about choosing a project that will help the world in some way and being able to finish it in the time given. Another thing that I am a bit nervous about is the way my project will go and whether or not I will come alive when doing my project.

Final Draft letter to UNICEF about Child Soldiers

Dear United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

In our 8th grade language arts project, we are discussing child soldiers, what they are, what we should think about them, and what should happen to them.

After studying this issue I have a recommendation for UNICEF. I would like UNICEF to help support the cause of banning child soldiers. However my essay isn't just about whether or not child soldiers should be used, or how to stop them, because obviously it is a bad thing, but what my essay is about is if child soldiers should be given amnesty or be prosecuted for the war crimes they committed. As well as me believing child soldiers should be given the chance to go to a rehabilitation center.

For many years, child soldiers have been used in wars. Military commanders or leaders are abusing children and forcing them to become soldiers. This is a worldwide problem, except, it normally happens in third world countries - countries that are very poor and don't have enough money to afford a good professional army, but instead rely on child soldiers.

Child soldiers, and what happens to them, doesn't impact us, so why should we care or do anything about it? Because if we don't do anything, those child soldiers will commit war crimes, abuse, kill, and torture civilians. In other words, they can become traumatized perpetrators of horrible war crimes. The question isn't if child soldiers are okay or good. They are just the last resource for these countries. They don't have anything else to "use" as soldiers. So basically if we do stop child soldiers, these poor countries won't have any soldiers and will have a really bad military, which will stop them from starting conflicts. The consequence of this is that the country can't defend itself from external threats. Child soldiers are used in a lot of places in the world.

Child soldiers are in third world countries all over the globe, they spread from Yemen to Mexico, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Myanmar, from  Syria to the Central African Republic, and from Sudan and South Sudan to Columbia. Child soldiers are in the militaries of countries to the warlords and drug lords in their countries. There is no one place with child soldiers, which makes it even harder to make it stop. “In the last 2 years, 20 states have been reported to have child soldiers in government, government-affiliated, and non-state armed groups. Additionally, 40 states still have minimum age recruitment requirements under 18 years.” (11 Facts About Child Soldiers)

Drug lords and warlords are one of the reason why there are so many child soldiers in third world countries. The reason warlords and drug lords use child soldiers is unique and smart. First they steal the children from their families, either bribe them, threaten them, or say that it is god's will for them to be part of a war, as a result, making them stay. Warlords and drug lords use child soldiers for the same reasons as third world countries use them, they are cheap. Another reason why this might be, is because child soldiers are illegal. The country might want to attack the warlord or drug lord, but because they have children with them from that same country, it prevents the country from attacking because they don’t want to harm the children, which, in my opinion is really clever.

However, child soldiers are illegal, and they are illegal in every country in the world. The reason that countries still use them is because when war strikes a country, laws are rarely followed. As a result, children under the age of 18 are recruited by armies. Even though it is the countries’ and army's fault for recruiting the children, the children still get punished. Look at the story of Akram, "A nine-year-old child who was used as a bomber, was prosecuted for the crimes he committed despite being 9 years younger that the current minimum age of criminal responsibility in Yemen." (Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?) "As well as the time in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980's,  Iranian children who were used as soldiers would be sent out ahead in waves over minefields. Also, during Palestine’s fight with Israel, children would often be used as soldiers from both sides." (Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?)

You may ask, “What are child soldiers?” “They are children, any age below 18, that are recruited by an armed force and are part of a military or an army. Child soldiers are normally either used as fighters, cooks, suicide bombers, a human shield, messengers, spies, or for some kind of sexual purpose.” (11 Facts About Child Soldiers) “Some children are under the age of 10 when they are forced to serve.”

The real question is, what should happen to child soldiers, should they be prosecuted, or given amnesty, should they go to a rehabilitation center, go to jail, or be executed.

In my opinion, it depends from child to child whether or not they get amnesty or are prosecuted. It depends on what the child does, if they commit war crimes, if they abuse, and if they torture. I don't think that whether or not they voluntarily joined the army should be part of the consideration. The reason I think this, is if they voluntarily joined, they probably lost everything, their parents, their homes, they don't have food, and don't know what to do. In addition, they are being brainwashed and don't know anymore what is good and bad in society. “Children who are not forced to be soldiers volunteer themselves because they feel societal pressure and are under the impression that volunteering will provide a form of income, food, or security, and willingly join the group.” (Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?)

After being lost, they join the military. The military has food and water, shelter, and other things, other than necessities, like drugs and alcohol. Things that make them feel good. I understand that the children have nowhere to go, and they probably don't have parents either, so what better than to join the military? Children are indoctrinated by their army leaders by fake promises of victory, drugs, alcohol, freedom, as well as corporal punishment, together with their daily food and shelter. All this with the effect that the children kill innocent civilians, other children, and even their own families. Other examples of leaders taking the children are by force, or because the children have nowhere else to go, no one else that cares about them or wants them except for the military.

Now getting back to them not knowing what is good and bad in society. Look at Omar Khadr, a former child soldier. It was reported that“two former interrogators testified that Khadr had bragged about killing a U.S. soldier and that he claimed the day he planted land mines to kill U.S. and coalition forces was the happiest day of his life.” Another thing that happened to him was that “former interrogators and Dr. Welner testified that when Khadr was angry at his guards, he would recall how he had killed a U.S. soldier and that would make him happy. The implication, of course, was that Khadr was, in the words of one interrogator, “cold and callous.”” This was mentioned on the website called (The Child Soldier on Trial at Guantanamo). He was a normal boy that was taken off the dirt football pitches, who was changed forever. His happiest moment in life wasn’t like any normal kid, being loved, but instead, he was happiest when he killed a U.S. soldier.

During war, the children committed war crimes. They killed innocent civilians, they abused people, and they tortured people. In any case, they are not, like child criminals, they were brainwashed, they never learned, they never knew. Except, they should have logically known that they shouldn't kill civilians. They shouldn't abuse and torture them either. So, should they be prosecuted for this? They should be prosecuted, if they committed war crimes, even though they were brainwashed and forced. This doesn't excuse the facts of the way they acted and the pain they brought to families. It does lessen the punishment. The punishment that child criminals would have gotten due to them knowing what they did. No one is telling child criminals to do it, they could have easily avoided the situation, unlike child soldiers.

Think about it, if we don't punish the children, or take them away and just leave them where they are, the leaders or the commanders of the armies will just keep on using more and more child soldiers. The best thing about child soldiers is that there is no end to supply, states the website that is called (Armed & Underage). So the leaders will just keep using them, thinking no one is going to do anything about it. Another reason third world countries use them is because they are cheap to get with very little additional cost of food, water, shelter, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. The reason the army gives them drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes is so that it helps the commanders stay in command, and it makes the kids even more loyal. The children are also easily manipulated, forcing them to make choices like joining the army. Something they probably wouldn't normally consider, except, the army recruits them through false promises. As well as them being easily manipulated, they are also fearless. The reason for them being fearless is because in school they didn't learn about the consequences of war and what it can do to the children. The reason they probably don't learn about the horror of war in school is either because they don't go to school. This can occur for many reasons, or because the government forces the teachers to teach them that war is good, and it is god’s will for it. This stage is where the biggest part of the brainwash starts, because it is at a young age. Another reason for them being fearless is drug induced bravery.  “Children who are poor, displaced from their families, have limited access to education, or live in a combat zone are more likely to be forcibly recruited.” (11 Facts About Child Soldiers).

What I think should happen to these child soldiers is to see if they can be rehabilitated. Someone, for example, a company or a nation should listen to the story of the children, what has happened to them, what they did, who they killed, how long they served, how they were treated, and how they treated others. This will determine what will happen to them after having gone to a rehabilitation center where they will get a forced treatment, and a forced free education.They will learn the consequences of war, learn what is good and bad, and hopefully at the end of this, they will be able to function in society appropriately.

In conclusion, I think the situation with child soldiers is sad and horrible, I feel that child soldiers, if they committed war crimes should be prosecuted for their actions, but the punishment should not be as cruel of a punishment as if a child criminal would do the exact same act. The reason I believe this is because I think, instinctively child soldiers should know that killing innocent civilians is bad, and so is killing in general, but in a way, they were forced and didn't have an easy way to avoid it. As well, every case of child soldiers should be treated individually.

I feel that it is a necessity for first world countries to step in and help prevent child soldiers from being used. I also believe that a forced education and a forced treatment for them are required because of their instability, and them not knowing the difference between good and bad. I hope we abolish the use of child soldiers in the near future, just like we abolished slavery and put equal rights into play.

Sincerely Ayvret van Waveren

an 8th grader

from TAISM, The American International School of Muscat

Websites I used:

“Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?”

“Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gentlemen, Upfront

Should child soldiers be prosecuted for war crimes?

11 Facts About Child Soldiers

Websites and videos related to this:

Ishmael Beah—Child Soldier

“Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gentlemen, Upfront

Should child soldiers be prosecuted for war crimes?

“Analysis: Should child soldiers be prosecuted for their crimes?”

“Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?”

“The Child Soldier on Trial at Guantanamo”

The efforts of the youth movement Invisible Children

“Child Soldiers and the Global Agenda: The UN’s involvement on the issue of child

soldiers”

“Hope for Uganda’s Childhood Soldiers?”

Ishmael Beah on CBS News with Katie Couric

First draft for Should Child Soldiers be given Amnesty?

Dear _________

We have this Langauge Arts project in 8 grade where we discuss child soldiers, what they are, and what we should think of them.

I have made a decision and this is what it is about below, I think you should think the same and try to get your country or nation to help support the cause of banning child soldiers. My essay isn't about whether or not child soldiers should be used, or how to stop them, but what my essay is about is if child soldiers should be given amnesty or be prosecuted for the war crimes they committed.

Should Child Soldiers be given Amnesty or be prosecuted?

For many years, child soldiers have been used in wars. Abusing children, and making them soldiers is a worldwide problem, except, it normally happens in the "Third World Countries," countries that are very poor and don't have enough money to afford a good professional army, but instead rely on child soldiers. You may ask, "What are child soldiers?" They are children, any age below 18, that are part of a military or an army. Child soldiers, and what happens to them, doesn't impact us, so why would we care or do anything? Because if we don't do anything, those child soldiers will commit war crimes, abuse, kill, and torture civilians, in other words, they have become traumatized perpetrators of horrible war crimes. The question isn't if child soldiers are okay or good, they are the last resource for these countries, they don't have anything else to "use" as soldiers. So basically if we do stop child soldiers, these poor countries won't have any soldiers and will have a really bad military, which will stop them from starting conflicts. It does mean that that country can't defend itself from external threats. The real question is, what should happen to the child soldiers, should they be prosecuted, or given amnesty, should they go to a rehabilitation center, go to jail, or be executed.

In my opinion, it depends from child to child whether or not they get amnesty or are prosecuted. It depends on what the child does, if they commit war crimes, if they abuse, and if they torture. I don't think that whether or not they voluntarily joined the army should be part of the consideration. The reason I think this, is if they voluntarily joined, they probably lost everything, their parents, their homes, they don't have food, and don't know what to do. In addition, they are being brainwashed and don't know anymore what is good and bad in society. So, they join the military. The military has food and water, shelter, and other things, other than necessities, like drugs and alcohol. Things that make them feel good. I understand that the children have nowhere to go, and they probably don't have parents either, so what better than to join the military? Children are indoctrinated by their army leaders by fake promises of victory, drugs, alcohol, freedom, as well as corporal punishment, together with their daily food and shelter. All this with the effect that the children kill innocent civilians, other children, and even their own families. Other examples of leaders taking the children are by force, or because the children have nowhere else to go, no one else that cares about them or wants them except for the military.

What I think should happen to these child soldiers is that someone, for example, a company or a nation, they listen to the story of the children, what happened to them, what they did, who they killed, how long they served, how they were treated, and how they treated others. This will determine what will happen to them after having gone to a rehabilitation center where they will get a forced treatment, a forced free education, they will learn the consequences of war, learn what is good and bad, and hopefully at the end of this, they will be able to function in society appropriately.

During war, the children committed war crimes. They killed innocent civilians, they abused people, they tortured people. In any case, they are not, like child criminals, they were brainwashed, they never learned, they never knew. Except, they should have logically known that they shouldn't kill civilians, they shouldn't abuse and torture them either. So, should they be prosecuted for this? They should be prosecuted, even though they were brainwashed and forced, this doesn't excuse the facts of how they acted and the pain they brought to families. It does lessen the punishment, the punishment that child criminals would have gotten due to them knowing what they did, no one is telling them to do it, they could have easily avoided the situation, unlike child soldiers.

Think about it, if we don't punish the children, or take them away and just leave them where they are, the leaders or the commanders of the armies will just keep on using more and more child soldiers. The best thing about child soldiers, well, is that there is no ending supply. So the leaders will just keep using them, thinking no one is going to do anything about it. Another reason third world countries use them is because they are free to get with a very little additional cost of food, water, shelter, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. The reason the army gives them drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes is so that it helps the commanders stay in command, and it makes the kids even more loyal. The children are also easily manipulated, forcing them to make choices like joining the army, something they probably wouldn't normally consider, except, the army recruits them through false promises. As well as them being easily manipulated, they are also fearless. The reason for them being fearless is because in school they didn't learn about the consequences of war and what it can do to the children. The reason they probably don't learn about the horror of war in school is either because they don't go to school, this can occur for many reasons, or because the government forces to make the teachers teach that war is good, and god wills for it. This stage is where the biggest part of the brainwash starts. Another reason for them being fearless is drug induced bravery.

It's not only third world countries that use child soldiers for their military, it is also warlords, and drug lords that use them as well. Warlords and drug lords first steal the children from their families, either bribe them, threaten them, or say that it is gods will for them to be here as a result of making them stay. There are many reasons why warlords and drug lords might want to use child soldiers. A reason might be the same as why a country might want to use them, they are cheap. Another reason, because child soldiers are illegal, the country might attack the warlord or and drug lord, but because they have children with them from that same country, it prevents the country from attacking which is really clever.

Child soldiers are only in third world countries. Child soldiers are in countries all over the globe, they spread from Yemen to Mexico, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Myanmar, from  Syria to the Central African Republic, and from Sudan and South Sudan to Columbia. Child soldiers are in the militaries of armies to the warlords and drug lords in their countries. What my point is, is that there is no one place with child soldiers, which makes it even harder to stop it. 

Child criminals are illegal, and they are illegal in every country in the world. The reason that countries still use them is because when war strikes a country, laws are rarely followed, and as a result, children under the age of 18 are recruited by armies. Even though it is the countries and army's fault for recruiting the children, the children still get punished. Look at the story of Akram, "A nine-year-old child who was used as a bomber, was prosecuted for the crimes he committed despite being 9 years younger that the current minimum age of criminal responsibility in Yemen." "Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?" "As well as the time in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980's,  Iranian children who were used as soldiers would be sent out ahead in waves over minefields. Also, during Palestine’s fight with Israel, children would often be used as soldiers from both sides." "Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?"

In conclusion, I think that child soldiers are a really bad thing, I feel that child soldiers should be perpetrated for their actions, but the punishment should be not as cruel of a punishment as if a child criminal would do the exact same act. The reason I believe this is because I think, instinctively they should know that killing innocent civilians is bad, and so is killing in general, but in a way, they were forced and didn't have anywhere else to go.

I feel that it is a necessity for first world countries to step in and help prevent child soldiers from being used. I also believe that a forced education and a forced treatment for them are required because of their instability, and them not knowing what good and bad is. I hope we abolish the use of child soldiers in the near future, just like we abolsihed slavery and made everybody equal.


By Ayvret van Waveren
an 8th grader
from TAISM, The American International School of Muscat




Websites I used:

“Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?”

“Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gentlemen, Upfront

Should child soldiers be prosecuted for war crimes?


Web sites and videos related to this:

Ishmael Beah—Child Soldier

“Armed & Underage” by Jeffrey Gentlemen, Upfront

Should child soldiers be prosecuted for war crimes?

“Analysis: Should child soldiers be prosecuted for their crimes?”

“Child Soldiers—Victims or Perpetrators?”

“The Child Soldier on Trial at Guantanamo”

The efforts of the youth movement Invisible Children

“Child Soldiers and the Global Agenda: The UN’s involvement on the issue of child

soldiers”

“Hope for Uganda’s Childhood Soldiers?”

Ishmael Beah on CBS News with Katie Couric

Should former child soldiers be given amnesty or held accountable for their actions?

Outline

Source: Child Soldiers: Victims or Perpetrators

Main point: Child soldiers are not responsible for their actions

Evidence:

• Most of them are forced to join, if they are willing to join they still shouldn't be punished because of both being brainwashed and not being able to think long term, the real affects, only short term affects, which the army would be able to provide, like the necessities like food, water, and shelter.
• The children are not mature enough to make big decisions like that because the part of their brain that makes decisions isn't completely developed, this is called the frontal lobes
• Forced to fight through false promises, drugs, and alcohol. "The drugs, often cocaine mixed with gun powder, brainwash the children to the point where they would rather not escape from the horror unraveling around them." I think anyone who has to face such horrors and terrible moments, not responsible for their own actions shouldn't be punished
• Don't know what to do, meaning they lost everyone
• When they are in a war they have 2 choices, to fight and kill, or to not fight and get killed
• They are different from child criminals, child soldiers are forced to kill innocent civilians, child criminals are not forced. They normally do it through a motive for example they want the money that the other person has, they kill them and then steal the money.

Opposing side:

• If they don't punish the Children, war lords, and armies will keep using them knowing there is no punishment
• "For instance, many believe that child soldiers are mere replicas of child criminals; child criminals are prosecuted. Over the course of the past decades child soldiers have been responsible for some of the most brutal acts in wartime, such as rape, mutilation and mass killings of innocent civilians. Most domestic laws state that the age of criminal responsibility is much lower than 18 (child soldiers are generally considered children under the age of 18). If a child can be convicted for murder under these domestic laws there should be no exception for child soldier’s just because their crimes occurred in wartime." Is one of the opposing arguments that this article talks about.

Response to The Child Soldier on Trial at Guantanamo

You can read the interesting, factual, but advanced article here.

My opinion didn't change after reading this article mostly because it was saying that child soldiers shouldn't be punished. The reason I think this, is mostly because it wasn't their fault, they were raised and brainwashed not knowing what good and bad is, what right and wrong is. Later they probably were also drugged to be extra loyal, and to follow their leaders' every command. So if the children were told to kill, they will kill. Another reason I think it is not the kids's fault is because they haven't gone to school to learn what consequence of war is and why not to participate and support it.

That is my response to the essay.

Pro con list between the victim and perpetrator in child soldiers

Victim: gets forgiveness from the rest of the world, gets abused, becomes brainwashed, some people care about them.

Perpetrator: gets justice, no consequences, are lazy, don't want to fight or work, don't care about the kids.

Both: don't get the right education, want safety (without being brainwashed), want peace (without being brainwashed), want revenge, want to fight, want war, don't care about their life.

Neither: want this system to be abolished, want slavery, have loved ones or care about the world.

Response to the Armed & Underage article

This article explained how, why, and where child soldiers are and where they are used. Check it out here.
Some of the intended effects of recruiting child soldiers are they are fearless, they are very loyal, they are easily manipulated, and there is no end to them. An effect of for the child soldiers is, for short term being abused, injuries, and death, because the person wouldn't be suffering, and the pain would be gone immediately after death. Some long term effects could be being brainwashed because it would last until death unless they were taught differently. The people that are hurt by this system is, of course, the children, but not only the kids but also their parents, because they were probably forced to give them away. I bet the teachers are also hurt because they probably are forced to tell the kids lies and how war is good and if they don't they probably would be either abused or killed. The people that benefit from this system is firstly the military, not having to do the work but letting children do it. Also, all of the adults, because children replace them from getting drafted into the army. The people that are responsible for this is both the army and the government. The victim is any child that they can find. We don't play such a big role in this system except that we could be doing a bit more trying to stop it, and abolish it. The reason the children are so brave and responsible while fighting in wars is because of the consequences the children will face if they are not brave or responsible. Being responsible for something means doing it, standing up to something, and people knowing you'll do something if they tell you to.

This is my response to the Armed & underage article.

What should this girl's fate be?

What should happen to this 14 year old girl who fought in the Myanmar war. She volunteered to fight. She has acted as a messenger and has acted as a driver. As well she has given logistical support, and she has killed. Now that her side has lost, her fate is being decided.



I think that she should be brought to a safe place with no war and only peace, where she can learn things and know the bad things about war. I don't think she should be able to choose what happens to her because she probably would want to stay due to being brain washed. I also do not think that she should be punished in any way, because the country expected her to do all those things and it was also up to the country whether she could join the army, as well as her being brain washed, so she couldn't really make the right decision. I hope that she can move somewhere where she can seek a peaceful life without war and conflict and also go to school and learn the bad things about war.