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Notes -
You may notice that the former were the pathetic last-ditch force of a faction that was effectively defeated and was trying not to realize that, and the other is likely heading towards a similar position (if it is not already there). Child soldiers are the disgusting last resort of a faction that has no meaningful right to use violence.
But the fact remains that they are still treated and used as a force, for the motherly "don't kill my babies" reflex obviously no longer applies to them, and pragmatically because their combat effectiveness isn't negative. (Again, this is the entire point I'm making.)
If they were still young enough for their mothers to discourage their children from fighting a war they've already lost, that would be one thing. But they're not.
Factions, like those who form them, are allowed tantrums over stupid things that they don’t have any right to be upset about. In the cases I've named, throwing their children's lives away is that tantrum (as distinct from the Africans, where the context and circumstances for child soldiers are significantly different).
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