Full Description
The authors explain how and why we must understand the conditions that spur youths to become martyrs by making them think suicide bombings and other acts of self-destructive terrorism are a good way to die. LoCicero and Sinclair present cutting-edge research and theory about the political, social, and living conditions that raise the risk of children deciding to join organizations that use terrorist tactics, and, having joined, to volunteer for missions in which they intentionally die while causing death and destruction, in order to make an impact. Equally important, LoCicero and Sinclair offer concrete suggestions about how ordinary Americans can help reduce and prevent terrorism around the globe.
Contents
Chapter One Endangered Children Life in War-Affected Areas On the Ground Past Checkpoints, Into Town Across the Globe Knowledge, Power, Action Social Science of Youthful Terrorists Chapter Two 2007 Madrid: I Declare this Conference Open. Interdisciplinary Analyses of Aggression and Terrorism Update on the Social Science of Aggression and Terrorism The Questions What is Terrorism? Defining Terrorism Defining a Terrorist Prototypes of Terrorists Social Scientists Describing Child Terrorists In the Meantime: Proposal for a Consensus Model Terrorism and Altruism Distinguishing Legitimate Militaries from Terrorist Groups What About Legitimate Grievances? Could Terrorist Acts Ever be Performed by Normal People? What about Demographics and Motivation? What about the Demographics of Child Terrorists? Comparing Child Terrorists with Child Soldiers What about Distribution of Wealth and Resources? A Question that did not come up: Biological Determinism for Aggression Chapter Three Twenty-First Century Terrorism and the Development of Youthful Terrorists Child Soldier, Child Terrorist Cognitive Development and Youth in War-Affected Areas Group-Defined Identity Deciding to Engage in a Terrorist Act: The Youthful Brain The Ecology of Development The Propensity to Engage in Terrorist Acts The Production-Line Analogy Preventing the Recruitment of Youth as Martyrs Chapter Four When the Last Tamil Has Died When will the war end? Never. What will it be like when the war ends? The Irony of a Common Theme Talking About It Freedom to Travel The Privilege of an Education How old should someone be before joining a fighting force? Growing up in War-affected Areas Ethnic Conflict: An Informed Account of a Minority Childs Experience From the Childs Point of View: Very Young Children in War-Affected Areas Middle Childhood Older Children: Thirteen and Beyond Truth and Lies Things You Know; Things You Dont Know It all Looks Clear Now Credible? Chapter Five Victims of 21st Century War: Are We all in This Together? Costs of War: Young Men and Women Military Service vs. Rebel Militia Parents of Youthful Terrorists Who have Died in Attacks Chain of Events Creating Martyrs: What Americans Need to Know Common American Theories About Youthful Terrorists Radical Differences in Experience Underscoring the Need for Better Knowledge of the World Ecological Psychology A Very Good Cause A Very Good Cause: What Do They Know and How do They Know It? Trust and Distrust in the US How Distrust of News Contributes to Recruitment of Children in War-Affected Areas Stop Providing Weapons. Resources Dont Discount Our Generation Shared Future: Human Rights, Terrorism, and Youth Around the World Nuclear Taboo Very Brief Historical Overview Contemporary Nuclear Threat Nuclear Threat Some Evidence and Scenarios for Possible Nuclear Attack on the United States Could A Terrorist Organization Obtain a Nuclear Weapon? Could a Nuclear Weapon be Transported into the US? Chapter Six The Fisherman On a Global Scale: The Fishermans Potential Network Good guys and bad guys: The bad guys keep on coming. Managing the Difficult View Hearts and Minds? Winning Hearts and Minds: A Modest Proposal American Compassion and Mercy Knowing Hearts and Minds Why try to understand those who would perpetrate violence on innocent people? Northern Ireland Challenging misperceptions: Everyday heroism About the Authors Series Afterword
