Dangers of independence

The work that juveniles do for their families and for others may come with risks. In the past and today, juveniles in traditional societies, such as foragers or pastoralists, assist with hunting and gathering of food, firewood, and other needed items. These juveniles are exposed to dangers of accidents while away from their home site or even in the camp or village. Even today, juveniles are taken by predators such as lion, leopard, and hyena. In the modern, urban world there are many risks to juveniles. In the photographs above on the left, one juvenile girl is collecting rubbish that may have some value. Such items are mixed with dangerous materials that may injure or poison the girl. On the left bottom a juvenile girl is crossing a new road that bisected the community in which she lives. Since the photograph was taken the volume of motorized traffic has increased to the point that the road is filled to capacity for most of day. Another risk to juveniles and other young people, are the lack of secure spaces for play. This often forces young people to create play space by the side of roads and in areas with toxic and dangerous waste.  Juveniles are also vulnerable to abuse by older people. The use of «child soldiers» is one example of abuse (right photograph). Most often these young people are juveniles, as children under age 7 do not have the physical or mental ability required to carry weapons and kill other people. Juveniles have the physical skills and due to social and moral immaturity are easily influenced to carry-out military orders. The juveniles are often abducted from their homes, sometimes after witnessing the murder for their family —sometimes participating in that murder. These juveniles are at serious risk of injury and death as children are often sent out as decoys or as the first line of defense. Some child soldiers become desensitized to violence, this can cause continued participation violence throughout their lifetime or a susceptibility to being victimized. Even when children do escape or are set free they may never recover from the physical or psychological trauma. Throughout Europe, the Americas, and other places, juveniles are recruited into drug gangs and exposed to the same risks as the «child soldiers». [Barry Bogin]