For many of us in Canada it is difficult to imagine ourselves being surrounded by the terrors of war; however, for many, hearing a gunshot, bombs, or jets can be a daily occurrence. What happens to children during this time of conflict? More often than not, they are forced to grow up at an alarmingly rapid pace and are often left with both emotional – or physical – scars.
Two widely known public figures: Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai documented their experiences during a time of conflict in their respective autobiographies, “The Diary of a Young Girl” and “I am Malala” which have become commonly read around the world. Both Frank and Yousafzai document their experiences growing up in a time where their daily lives were interrupted by the commotions of war surrounding them. Frank mentions “Although I tell you a great deal about our lives, you still know very little about us. How frightened the women are during air raids; last Sunday, for instance, when 350 British planes dropped 550 tons of bombs on IJmuiden, so that the houses trembled like blades of grass in the wind. Or how many epidemics are raging here” (Frank). This firsthand explanation of wartime is only an example of many; it can be considered that Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai are two examples that raise attention to a problem of adolescents caught in the crossfire of conflict: an issue for many others in different countries, eras, and of varying ages.
In a broader sense, numerous children, whether they are infants or teenagers, have suffered consequences of war that they never would have imagined as a kid. Frank and Yousafzai’s memoirs help expose an unbiased point of view during times of war. Adolescents often do not have a voice, yet theirs were heard and able to represent the many that are in the same situation as them. This not only applies to the era of World War II where “conventional” wars reigned supreme, but also after they transitioned into “low intensity” wars (Goldson) of more modern times. Nevertheless, children are required to grow up quickly and often miss out on the childhood, which is something most of us have had the luxury of experiencing. Children in times of war also often suffer from loss of education, psychological damage, illness, and several other misfortunes (Barbara). With that said, what are we to do about it?
Most people would agree that bringing world peace does not have an overnight fix; rather than ending war, taking a small step such as becoming aware of the people in these situations can help. Once exposed to the reality of what others, including children, are facing/have faced, the effects are long-term and are often carried on through generations, even. Reading “The Diary of a Young Girl” or “I am Malala” assist in broadening the perspectives of many by allowing consumers to see through the lenses of youth in a situation different than their own; this could slowly lead to the elimination of prejudices and discrimination, which are bases on which wars begin with.
Awareness is a tool that can bring people closer together through the sharing of knowledge and experiences. Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai contribute to that in such a way where their young voices were heard by many, raising awareness to an issue that affects many others than just them. Nowadays, global issues are rarely fixed by one person in one instance; although slow, the process of bringing awareness can bring about change, which is what young leaders such as Malala Yousafzai hope to achieve. But for now, there are research studies that show the effects of wartime on children and here is one of many: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1469-7610.00456/epdf. Or, Malala’s (brief) personal account of her story for a more firsthand view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Pz9V6LzcU.
Bibliography:
Barbara, Joanna Santa. Impact of War on Children and Imperative to End War. December 2006. 18 September 2016.
Frank, Anne. “The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition.” Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1995. 244.
Goldson, Edward. “The effect of war on children.” Goldson, Edward. Child Abuse and Neglect. Elsevier, 1996. 809-819. 18 September 2016.
Many children face the horrors, sorrows and tremendous overwhelming emotions, that stir inside of them when having to face war. They are in surrounded in a world made cruel, but like Malala and Anne Frank, they can pass on their burdens and suffering to the world, so we can know and educate ourselves to make it so others do not have the same life. But those who have suffered that life, are acknowledge in history by the historians who uncovered the atrocities done to them, and acknowledged themselves in the pieces of their writing that they have left behind or have sent our way, still in the mist of torture.
They hold identities that none could without having their experiences and that will help the future generations of humanity to see their suffering, and to not repeat it, but to learn from it.
“lovers age. Children die. Kingdoms rise and fall, and we go on” – Leigh Bardugo