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HIST 4339: Children of War

These resources examines the role of children in international affairs through the many dynamics of war and conflict during the twentieth century.

Context

Graffiti, Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square)

The 20th century was marked by a series of global and regional conflicts that profoundly affected civilian populations, particularly children. From the displacement caused by World War I to the devastating impacts of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and numerous civil conflicts, children have often found themselves at the center of war's collateral damage. Their experiences range from forced displacement, separation from families, and physical harm to psychological trauma, forced recruitment as child soldiers, and exploitation in labor or other capacities.

The study of children in war provides critical insights into the long-term societal consequences of conflict, the resilience of young populations, and the policies and interventions necessary to protect and rehabilitate them. Understanding the impact of war on children also helps contextualize the broader effects of conflict on communities and nations, revealing how war shapes future generations and societal structures.

Researching children of war has wide-reaching implications. It highlights the need for robust international policies to safeguard vulnerable populations and provides a framework for understanding the psychological and social recovery processes in post-conflict settings. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of historical memory and documentation in preventing the recurrence of such tragedies. By examining the experiences of children, scholars and policymakers can design interventions that not only address immediate needs but also support long-term development and societal healing.

Rasal Hague, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Search Strategies

Common Keywords for searching databases and catalogs

  • Children in war

  • Children and war

  • Child soldiers

  • Refugee children

  • War trauma in children

  • Displacement and conflict

  • World War II and children

  • Post-war rehabilitation of children

  • Psychological impact of war on youth

  • Humanitarian aid for children

  • Civil conflicts and child casualties

  • United Nations and child protection

  • International law and war-affected children

  • Holocaust child survivors

  • Education in conflict zones

  • Resilience in war-affected children

Authoritative Keywords for catalogs: