While parents generally have some choice in the decision to serve their country, their children do not. By the end of 2008, there were 12,400 UK personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This gives some indication of the number of children who face a variety of pressures - from bereavement, financial difficulties and fear of losing a parent in combat, to the absence of an important role model and feelings of responsibility for a lone parent.
Case Study 1
Fortunately, some organisations are working hard to ensure that the children and families of servicemen are considered. The Forces Children's Trust is a charity devoted to providing practical help and support to children who have lost a parent or whose parents have suffered a serious injury while serving in the armed forces. The charity assesses the individual needs of a child and provides practical assistance, such as IT resources or a fun social experience, rather than financial handouts.
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