Challenges we face in understanding children and war: a personal essay

War is a correlate of child abuse in several respects. War generally elevates the level of violence in the warring society, and thus increases risk for abuse. War disrupts communities and families (and thereby presumably undermines social support systems and increases single parenthood). War kills and maims children and their caregivers; it is abuse. This article presents an analysis of psychological and cultural issues faced by professionals dealing with children exposed to war zones. The premise for this article lies in the recognition that "war" is so powerfully loaded on subjective and ideological meanings for all adults (including professionals) that self-reflection and cultural criticism is a necessary condition for going forward effectively with children.