Exploring small arms demand: A youth perspective

This paper represents a collaboration between two of the ISS’ research areas: small arms and light weapons and children in armed conflict.

This paper represents a collaboration between two of the Institute for Security Studies’ research areas: small arms and light weapons and children in armed conflict. The proliferation of small arms throughout Africa since the cold war has not, in itself been the cause of conflict. The accessibility of weapons easily operable by children and youth has however, raised the stakes and magnified the devastation of wars. The cyclical effect of impeded socio-economic development and the socialization of young people in violence have made small arms a part of social, economic and political survival for children and youth. This paper begins to unravel the complex notion of demand for small arms and light weapons through the lens of children’s rights in an attempt to enrich current analysis of the problem of arms proliferation.

Authors

Angela McIntyre is co-ordinator and researcher for Interact, a project on children in armed conflict in Africa.

Taya Weiss works with the Arms Management Programme at the ISS on issues related to the demand for small arms. She holds a degree in Social Theory with an emphasis on African History from Harvard University.