Susan A. McKay

Girls in Fighting Forces and Groups: Their Recruitment, Participation, Demobilization, and Reintegration

The question Where are the girls? is seldom raised in discussions about children or adolescents who are members of fighting forces and groups. This is due in large part to the near exclusive focus on boy soldiers. Consequently, scant attention has been given to girls active involvement and distinct experiences in these forces and groups, whether as combatants or noncombatants. The purpose of this article is to explicate the presence and experiences of girls in fighting forces and groups and some of the challenges they face after they leave these forces and groups and attempt to resume their lives within their communities. We use descriptive data gathered from a wide variety of organizational and scholarly reports to identify girls involvement and roles in these forces and groups, detail how they are recruited and demobilized, and examine common physical and psychosocial effects of their participation. We contend that during and after armed conflicts, gender-specific physical and psychological impacts ...

Pioneers in Peace Psychology: Reflections on the Series

The Pioneers in Peace Psychology series has explored the lives, contributions, and perspectives of eight early pioneers in peace psychology: Dorothy Ciarlo, Morton Deutsch, Herbert Kelman, Doris Miller, Milton Schwebel, Brewster Smith, Ethel Tobach, and Ralph White. Reflection on the interviews conducted with these pioneers between 1992 and 2010 revealed consistent themes. These included the importance of early experience, family influences, and positive role models; the value of multidisciplinary approaches; the importance of linking theory and practice; the need for critical reflection on issues of gender and other forms of diversity; the importance of working at multiple levels for peace; and the value of flexible thinking, persistence, and humor. The early pioneers have lain the foundation for future efforts in peace psychology, and they have provided inspiration for rising generations of peace psychologists through their outstanding contributions.