Impact of War and Violence on Children in A Long Way Gone...

Children exposed to violence within their communities are left with emotions of hopelessness, insecurity, and doubt. Historical events such as the war on terrorism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the tragic events of September 11th have had a detrimental effect on the entire nation, including the children. Although every child is not directly affected by the aspects of war, it somehow has an emotional effect on all. The involvement of a nation with war affects every individual differently, whether it is out of fear, anger, doubt, hope, or love. In the short novel A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, he narrates the story by telling his own involvement in the Civil War in Sierra Leone as young boy and the many issues he faces while living in†¦show more content†¦Nonetheless, the conditions children observe during a time of war and experience through violence around them are frightening and astonishing. The circumstances surrounding September 11th 2001 seem to be too much for a young child to grasp. At the age of eleven, I remember this day so vividly, but at such a young age I was unable to understand everything that was taking place before me. Although this day did not affect me directly, with time I have come to understand that situations as this one affects a nation as a whole. It seemed to be my first exposure to war in which I could remember. Beforehand, I knew nothing about what terrorist were and my country fighting in war seemed to be the least of my worries. Over time, I would learn more about the two. Today, as I grow into an adult I see the effects of current wars on children. I work in an environment where I come in close contact with children whose parents serve in the military. Although many of these children have no idea about the purpose of war or the outcome it may bring, they do know it as the single thing that takes their parents away for months at a time. I am mindful of the different reactions of these children. The stability in their life is altered with the absence of one parent being gone for long periods of time. The stability is what helps to build a strong family, and Garbarino states: TheShow MoreRelatedA Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah1205 Words   |  5 Pages This summer, I chose to read A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah for my nonfiction book. I chose to read this book for a very good purpose. My entire life, I have been told that I am very fortunate to have the luxuries that I have every day. I knew this was true and that I was very lucky, but I never really understood the full truth of how the other people lived; the people that were not as fortunate as me. This book gave me a very good insight to the daily struggles of living in a poor, dangerousRead MoreSetting In A Long Way Gone Essay1500 Words   |  6 PagesLindquist English 10R September 9 ,2017 1. The setting in a long way gone takes place in Sierra Leone during 1993 to 1997. Ishmael also goes to New York City in 1998. The effect that this setting has on the story is mostly the climate. The characters had to endure and survive the brutal heat and starvation. There is also a war going on at the time. The author uses imagery to discuss the setting. One example of violence filled setting is â€Å"In the back of the van were three more dead bodiesRead MoreA Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah544 Words   |  2 Pageshappen. Hope is quite often found in people involved in hard times such as war. Soldiers have to hope that they will make it home to their families everyday. Ishmael Beah understood what it was like to have hope in terrible situations. When Ishmael wrote his book â€Å"A Long Way Gone† he was able to show how he had hope when he lost his family, when he went to New York and when he tragically lost hope when he was in the war. Ishmael went through losing not only his siblings, but also his parents. At theRead MoreThe Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers2124 Words   |  8 PagesStealing from Children The sounds of gunfire quickly drowned out all else as the rebel forces engaged the army. Sprinting, standing, crouching, or lying down, the soldiers focused solely on one thing: killing their enemies. With an assortment of weapons and under the influence of drugs, they carried out their jobs with ruthless efficiency. They spared no one because each side believed the other to be monsters. Kill after kill with blood on their hands, the soldiers fought on, driven by their desireRead MoreThe Rights Of The Child1186 Words   |  5 PagesChildren are given rights through the Convention of the Rights of the Child. In these rights, are rights that only children have. There are over 42 rights assigned to children alone. Among these rights are topics such as survival and development, drug use, free expression, the child’s best interest, and violence. This essay discusses two books, which examine these rights and the ways they are influenced. Survival and Development is a right given in the Convention of the Rights of the Child. To Ishmael