Document 4: Summary Throughout the world, the use of child soldiers is a serious problem. Today, around 300,000 children as young as nine are involved in armed conflicts around the world. These children live in constant fear of being trapped in an ambush, in the presence of landmines or gunshots. Girls are also used, in fact about a third of child soldiers are girls, they are assigned the same job as boys but are used as sexual slaves and forced to be the "wives" of their commanders. Girls are often infected with sexually transmitted diseases or HIV/AIDS and are highly likely to become pregnant. Both boys and girls face great psychological pain after being characters in war. This problem is most common in Africa, but children are also used in several Asian countries, parts of Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Non-governmental armed groups are the main culprits in using children as soldiers. The living conditions of child soldiers are generally very harsh and discipline is maintained by brutal and unjust punishments. Life is very dangerous, surrounded by intense drug use and an environment devoid of food, drinking water and few toilets. Many children die from these causes in such inhumane conditions. It is up to first world countries like the United States to take action to prevent these children from having their basic human rights taken away. The article “Exploring the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldier” by Stian Eisentrager, analyzes the recent media attention on children used as soldiers in war in developing countries such as Liberia and clarifies the causes of the recruitment of child soldiers. The article discusses the cultural differences between first and third world countries who are kidnapped from their homes, forced to join the military forces by both government and rebel forces. These children are traumatized, vulnerable and forced to commit horrific acts of violence, just to ensure their survival. In protecting these children, it is crucial that we make stronger efforts than those currently in place to ensure the safety of children and their fundamental human rights. Works Cited Eisentrager, Stian. “Exploring the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.” e-international relations. May 1-9, 2007. Web. October 27, 2013.Hill, Karl. “Rehabilitation programs for African child soldiers”. Peace Review (Palo Alto, California) 2003. Volume 15 Article 3Howana, Alcinda, Kathleen Sheldon. Child soldiers in Africa. The International Journal of African Historical Studies, Vol. 39, No. 3 (2006), pp. 509-511Published by: Boston