Three of the six British soldiers who died this month in one of the bloodiest periods of fighting in Afghanistan were just 18 years old.
Among the three teenagers was rifleman Joseph Murphy from Birmingham, who was killed by a bomb while carrying a comrade to safety. Another was William Aldridge, from Bromyard, Herefordshire, who joined the army at 17. Military reports show he was injured by a bomb blast and spent his final few minutes trying to comfort his wounded comrades before being killed by a second bomb. The age of these soldiers and the details of their deaths hammers home the sad reality of war for young people.
Stefan Nahajski, chief executive of Windle Valley Youth Project in Surrey, says war can often seem remote to young people. He recommends youth workers engage young people in discussions and activities about armed conflict. His project recently got young people to film interviews with Second World War veterans. This promotes intergenerational awareness and boosts skills in communication and video production. The local branch of the Royal British Legion was contacted and members were interviewed for the film, called My War and released through YouTube.
Young people could also link up with veterans by taking part in charity events, such as the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal.
The reasons for war are another topic young people could discuss. What is a just war? Why is the Afghanistan conflict seen by many commentators as just, but the Iraq war as unjust?
The age of the UK soldiers taking part is an issue worth discussing. Young people can join the armed forces at 16, but are not allowed to engage in conflict until they are 18. Is 16 too young? Should the army target this age group, who may not fully realise the horror of war?
Tracie Trimmer-Platman, senior lecturer for youth and community work at the University of East London, suggests exploring the issue of absentee fathers. Men joining the army are often away from home for long periods. What effect does this have on family life?
Reasons for joining the military could also be discussed. Some of the young people that join are care leavers or from unstable homes, looking for structure in their life. What other ways can they find structure?
Military life can also extend into everyday school life through combined cadet forces, and ex-military personnel now run classes in alternative education settings. Is there a place for such activities in school? Do they merely help to recruit young people into the armed forces?
