It is said that the most delicate and crucial moment in life is childhood. Over the course of four years, a child is taught to walk, talk and interact with each other. During this time they also begin to learn a sense of right and wrong. A child raised in a nurturing environment can be kind and considerate towards others, while a child raised in violent and demoralizing conditions shows more hostility towards others. The protagonists of Loung Ung's First They Killed My Father and Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone are prime examples of children who commit demoralizing acts due to the violent environment in which they live. Therefore, as child soldiers, both Ishmael and Loung are corrupted by their experiences, yet Loung is affected more severely by the atrocities of war. First, the tragedies of war transform Ishmael and Loung into selfish people; however, if they are to be compared, Loung displays stronger acts of self-indulgence. The negativity surrounding Loung causes her to care more about her own needs than those of her family. An example of this trait is when he reflects on his actions by thinking, “I knew exactly what I was doing when I stole the handful of rice from my family. My hunger was so strong that I didn't think about the consequences of my actions” (Ung 89). Evidently Loung is aware that taking rice is wrong because his hunger does not exceed that of his family. Despite this, she commits this illicit act because the deprivation of food due to the war leads her to think only of herself. Family is important to Loung; they are his only support system during the war. However, the brutal conditions Loung finds himself in due to the war affect him so much that... half of the card... overwhelms him and blinds him from the truth. In conclusion, it is clear that due to the inhuman violence surrounding both Loung and Ishmael, they begin to want revenge, however, Loung's desire for revenge proves to be much stronger than Ishmael's. Although war influences both protagonists of First They Killed My Father and A Long Way Gone, Loung is more affected by the horrors of war. His selfishness and need for revenge, brought on by the brutalities of war, both drastically exceed Ishmael's. In conclusion, it is clear that a child raised in violence and bloodshed will be more hostile and unwelcoming than a child raised in loving and peaceful conditions. Therefore children are strongly influenced by their surrounding environment; to raise a kind and caring child you need to raise him in a kind and caring environment.