Kids are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, and as they are generally seen as inessential in the eyes of most, there is less of an incentive to invest in their recruitment and upbringing. The idea of recruiting children is superior in certain fields to that of recruiting adults since children are typically more obedient and listen to authorities without questioning their control and command.
Most of the kids are kidnapped or forced into the army. Individuals who are poor or who have been forcibly separated from their families and who live in close proximity to war zones are particularly at risk. In other cases, young people may enlist out of a sense of responsibility to defend their country or out of a desperation to secure a steady income and food supply. Children are not just used as soldiers, but also as cooks, guardians, and messengers in the army. Sexual abuse is a problem for many of them, especially young females.
A child's life is forever changed by war. Insecurities and worries plague them from the time they are young. Wars cause famines, which forces people to survive in abject poverty. They lose out on formative years of schooling and, tragically, many will find their parents emotionally unavailable or dead during those formative years. Child soldiers are more susceptible to emotional distress under these circumstances.
Not only education but a child's moral growth is also stunted if he or she is a member of an armed group. Child soldiers, in contrast to the norms and morals of their society, are taught to steal, battle, and kill. So many of these kids learn to deal with their problems by resorting to violence, and they grow up to be antisocial and troublesome adults.
Those who suffer from antisocial personality disorder often lie and manipulate to get what they want. They have little regard for the feelings of others and can act on impulse or recklessly. It's possible they'll engage in criminal behavior without any remorse since they miss out on their essential educational years.
People with a diagnosis of disruptive behavior disorder struggle to manage their behavior. They have a reputation for being hostile or apathetic toward those in positions of authority, which contributes to their negative image. Their misbehaviour might include anything from fighting and rule breaking to violence, theft, and property destruction.
In other words, child soldiers are left deprived of education and there is a continuum of both illnesses. Neither forced fighting nor being manipulated by adults help children grow up to be well-adjusted members of society.