Family and education under Nazism

Discipline and obedience

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne offers an insight into the home lives of young people in Nazi Germany. Family and education play an important role in Nazism. In principle, the Nazis want the state to take a superior position in the upbringing of children in order to ensure uniformity. The classic division of roles is taught. The father should work or go to war. The mother should stay at home and take care of the household and the children.

However, the education of German children and teenagers in the spirit of Nazism takes place not only in the family, but also in kindergarten, school, and clubs. The education of children and young people to become Nazis is strictly planned. Children's interest in Nazism begins to be stirred up in the early years of schooling. The main content of their education is racial doctrine. The children are taught a very specific image of man. German children should be convinced that they are better than othe...