Children have been used in armed conflicts since time...

Children have been used in armed conflicts since time immemorial. Today the world sees this issue as immoral and reprehensible. However, the use of children in armed conflicts continues. Statistics produced by various organizations including the United Nations human rights, Human Rights Watch and Peace Direct suggests that anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 children under the age of 18 are serving as child soldiers in 50 different conflicts across 33 different countries. These young people are often kidnapped or forced into these positions. They are forced into accepting being child soldiers through poverty and the promise of assistance to their families and to themselves. They are also forced into this situation by being witnesses to†¦show more content†¦While this indicates an active interest on the part of world leaders to protect children, it has not been effective in eradicating the problem. In Mexico, all young men of the age of 18 or older must serve in the military for one year, although service is predicated by a lottery system, which determines whether they are to be on stand-by, serve actively, or must do community service. However, with consent, individuals may sign up at the age of 16. According to reports, there are no child soldiers serving in the armed forces of Mexico. Where child soldiers are found in Mexico are with the opposition forces in the Chiapas region and with the paramilitary forces maintained by the drug cartels. It has been noted that children, especially boys, get recruited by the cartels as young as 11. These children live primarily in the poorest regions of Mexico. Their families depend on the income these children generate for their survival. In these areas, the drug cartels behave in a similar fashion as the warlords of Afghanistan. For the people of these areas, the drug lords are seen as benign and helpful. This situation will continue un til the drug cartels and all drug trafficking they handle is