The Moral Development of Child Soldiers: What Do Adults Have to Fear?

Responding to concerns expressed by adults living in war zones and in postconflict societies, this article explores the evidence concerning whether children's moral de-velopment is seriously disrupted by their participation in armed conflict. It begins by defining some of the key issues in the debate and discussing how the child development and war literatures frame these issues. It emphasizes that there is a shortage of systematic empirical research in this area, and makes a case for further enquiry into the contextual influences in children's moral learning and for a particular focus on the specific environmental challenges associated with involvement in combat. The article concludes by questioning the view of young former combatants as moral reprobates, and arguing the need for a reconceptualization of both childhood and child development.