War games V Real life wars

Children sit there on their nice comfy couches playing on game based on war. Weapons and violence are the main attraction to these games. Children don't realise that whilst they sit there 'shooting people' online that people are really being shot in real wars. Is it such a good idea to base a game on such a serious matter?, can this make people question the seriousness of real war situations? I want to create some images to show people that whilst they're safe at home playing war games, some people aren't so lucky and have to live through what the people at home are 'playing'.

I found an article online explaining the effects that war has on children who have to try and survive though it, it made me realise how lucky children who live away from war zones are whose closest experience of war is an online game.

The effects of war on children
Among the many devastating aspects of war is its effects on children. Far from innocent bystanders, children are often casualties of war–through death, disease, malnutrition or injury. For example, from 1985-1995, an estimated 2 million children were killed due to war*.

Many children in war zones become refugees due to separation from or death of their family. Orphaned children often have limited access to food and clean water and therefore become susceptible to deadly illnesses and face life-long health problems. It is estimated that such diseases account for 60-80% of the deaths of displaced children of war*.

Those that survive are not considered lucky. In many instances, vulnerable boys are brainwashed into becoming child soldiers, working with the oppressors and regularly engaging in combat. Girls can be exploited into sex trade, forced to offer sexual services, married off to rebel leaders, or even sexually mutilated.

Beyond death, injury, exploitation and displacement, children in war zones are often emotionally damaged and suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They typically lose years of education, and the level of violence that they see can alter their normal development and lead to a skewed sense of reality.

If we hope to live in a peaceful and just world, we must start with the children because they are the seeds of the change we hope to see.

By Mimi Maritz