Exploring the Lived Experience of Iranian Children in the Iran–Iraq War: A Discourse on Children at War

Technical Summary: Exploring the Lived Experience of Iranian Children in the Iran–Iraq War

Problem Statement
The Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) represents one of the longest conflicts of the twentieth century, resulting in catastrophic socio-political and cultural shifts for Iranian society. While statistical data indicates that a significant proportion of war casualties were under the age of 25, with many being students or children, there is a need to move beyond quantitative metrics to understand the qualitative, lived realities of these individuals. The war inflicted immediate physical destruction and long-term psychological scars, particularly on children who faced displacement, loss of family members, chemical attacks, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Despite the severity of these events, the "silent voices" of war-affected children often remain unamplified in broader discourse. This study addresses the gap in understanding the specific, enduring traumatic experiences of children who grew up in the border regions of Iran during the conflict, focusing on the intergenerational transmission of trauma and the disruption of basic human rights.

Methodology
The research employs a qualitative, descriptive approach utilizing a phenomenological framework to interpret the lived experiences of participants.

• Participants: The study involved 25 adult respondents (13 women and 12 men) who were children (aged 7–17) during the Iran–Iraq War.
• Sampling: A purposive snowball sampling method was used to recruit participants from three heavily affected border cities in Kermanshah Province: Qasr-e Shirin, Sarpol-e Zahab, and Gilan-e Gharb. Recruitment occurred through social welfare centers, the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans, civil registry offices, and local councils.
• Data Collection: Fieldwork was conducted between 2022 and 2023 over four separate visits. Data was gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews allowing participants to freely narrate their personal and family histories without censorship.
• Analysis: Interview transcripts were analyzed using phenomenological methods. Researchers identified phrases related to lived experiences, formulated meanings, and clustered common themes until data saturation was reached.
• Ethical Considerations: The study adhered to the 1964 Helsinki Declaration. Informed consent was obtained from all adult participants, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Sacred Defense Documentation and Research Center (Tehran).

Key Contributions and Results
The study identifies seven primary themes and twenty-four sub-themes that characterize the lived experience of children during the war. These findings are derived directly from oral narratives and memories:

1. Sudden Collapse of Life: The war caused an abrupt upheaval of daily existence, leading to ecological and infrastructural destruction. Children faced increased responsibilities, often assuming adult roles such as caring for siblings or joining the Popular Mobilization forces. Many experienced malnutrition and the spread of infectious diseases due to a lack of healthcare facilities.
2. Feelings of Hopelessness and Grief: The martyrdom of loved ones and the status of becoming a veteran (either personally or through family) created deep, lasting trauma. Participants described profound grief, loneliness, and a sense of meaninglessness that persisted into adulthood.
3. Demographic Crisis: Massive displacement and the refugee experience were central to the narrative. Families were forced to flee with minimal possessions, often never returning to their original homes, leading to a loss of place attachment and community cohesion.
4. Deprivation of Basic Human Rights: The study highlights systematic violations, including sexual violence against women and girls, the abduction of children, and the direct targeting of residential areas, schools, and hospitals. Chemical bombardments and landmines continued to cause injuries and death long after the conflict ended.
5. Psychological Trauma: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was prevalent among respondents. Symptoms included intrusive memories, mutism, stuttering, behavioral disorders (e.g., bedwetting, aggression), and specific phobias (e.g., fear of crowds, explosions). The study notes that younger children were particularly vulnerable, with symptoms manifesting months after the conflict.
6. Disruption of Social Order: The war eroded social norms, leading to increased distrust, social anxiety, and conflict. The scarcity of resources and the constant threat of violence fostered a collective fear and hindered post-war development in border regions.
7. Social and Cultural Change: The conflict necessitated a shift in lifestyle and cultural identity. Displacement forced families to mingle with different cultures, resulting in the abandonment of childhood memories and local traditions. The study observes that the trauma of the war has been transmitted intergenerationally, with the children of survivors exhibiting signs of anxiety and behavioral issues.

Significance and Claims
The paper claims that its primary significance lies in amplifying the often-silent voices of war-affected children to provide a deep, phenomenological understanding of their trauma. By compiling oral narratives, the research documents the specific socio-cultural context of Iran's border cities, extending existing literature on war-related trauma (such as the works of Van der Kolk and Betancourt) to a specific Iranian context.

The study asserts that the Iran–Iraq War serves as a critical case study for understanding the long-term consequences of armed conflict on child development and mental health. It emphasizes that the trauma experienced by these children is not merely a historical event but a continuing reality that affects their current adult lives and the well-being of subsequent generations. The paper concludes that these findings underscore the urgent need for:

• Comprehensive mental health support addressing PTSD and intergenerational trauma.
• Community-based interventions to rebuild social trust.
• Policy actions prioritizing mine clearance, healthcare access, and educational support in post-conflict regions.
• A global awareness campaign against war to protect children's rights and ensure their safety.

The authors maintain a modest stance, acknowledging limitations such as the small sample size restricted to one province, potential selection bias from snowball sampling, and the reliance on retrospective memory. Consequently, the findings are presented as a deep insight into the specific experiences of the participants rather than a generalizable statistical representation of all Iranian war-affected children.