Star Wars: 10 Huge Problems No One Wants To Admit About The Jedi

10. They Kidnap Children

The Jedi have a rather efficient way of expanding their forces - namely, scouring the galaxy for Force-sensitive children to join their ranks.

In an attempt to reduce any emotional complications that might arise from separation anxiety, the Jedi aim to separate Force-sensitive children from their parents at as young an age as possible. Though the exact age range differs from species to species and is never set in stone, it's clear that Anakin - who was nine during The Phantom Menace - was considered too old to join the Order, partially as he was too attached to his mother.

Qui-Gon Jinn's insistence that Anakin be trained as a Jedi despite the guidance of the Council led to disastrous consequences. Anakin's fear of losing his mother propels him to slaughter an entire village of Tusken Raiders, and his love for Padme seems to be as much a projection of his feelings about his lost mother as it is genuine affection.

Given the evidence, the Jedi's decision to separate children from their parents at a young age makes sense, but that doesn't make it any less inhumane. In fact, the Sequel Trilogy seemed to have picked up on this, with the First Order's recruitment of stormtroopers paralleling the Jedi Order's acquisition of new Padawans to highlight the similarities between both organisations.