This war has been ongoing for some time now, and its impact is felt by many, especially children and teenagers. You might wonder how it affects them. The truth is, young people often struggle to focus in school because of the stress and uncertainty brought on by the conflict. This, in turn, can have lasting effects on their future. After speaking with students from our school, I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter who you are or what side you’re on—everyone just wants the war to end.
Yousef Albalaoneh, a junior at our school, shared his thoughts: “I don’t care about winning or losing; we should all talk it out, and that way, we’re going to win peace.” Albalaoneh also expressed his frustration with how the war has fueled hatred between young people from different parts of the world: “It’s frustrating that the war has brought hate between us, teenagers from different parts of the world, when we were supposed to love and understand each other.”
Diana Popyk, another junior at our school, added, “I have friends from both sides, and it affects me to see them hurt.” She continued, “I would love for the war to stop, and for everyone to be okay. It’s not about who wins, after all.”
Magdalena Gonzalez-Solorzano, a junior student at Taft, shared her perspective as well: “I want this war to stop because the world needs peace.” She went on to explain, “There’s no point in fighting—it only causes harm. Kids should not have to go through this trauma; they don’t deserve it.” Gonzalez-Solorzano also expressed sympathy for both sides, saying, “I feel bad for both sides, and I just want this to end.”
From speaking with these students, it’s clear that everyone wants the war to stop. There’s a deep concern for the well-being of children and the overall impact the conflict has on people’s health and lives. Ultimately, every student I spoke with wants peace in the world and dreams of a life free from the stress and fear that war brings.
