War deeply undermines children's feelings of security, safety, and emotional stability. Children in conflict zones experience loss of safety, a stolen childhood of play and growth replaced by survival, a pervasive sense of unfairness, and exhaustion from prolonged stress and constant alertness. The psychological impact extends beyond immediate trauma from loss or witnessing violence, disrupting internal worlds and compromising long-term well-being. Children express profound distress, sometimes stating that war is ruining their lives. Adults should acknowledge and validate children's feelings, make children feel heard and understood, and clearly convey that the children's safety and emotional needs are top priorities.
She asked, "Why do I have to be a child of war?" and then added, "The war is ruining my life." These words encapsulate the overwhelming emotions that many children living in conflict zones experience. In those few phrases, she made a powerful statement, a protest against a harsh reality that disrupted her life and dreams. My granddaughter's reflections expressed a deep and complex reality 2:
The ravages of war reach far beyond the immediate trauma of losing loved ones or experiencing or witnessing violence firsthand. During the war, the internal worlds of children of all ages can be severely disrupted or shattered, leaving their psychological well-being deeply compromised and vulnerable to devastating effects. 3 When my granddaughter stated, "The war is ruining my life," she was conveying a truth that weighs heavily on her heart.
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