A Generation Divided: German Children and the Berlin Wall

By Thomas A. Davey

An inquiry into the lives of children of similar, if not identical, historical an cultural heritage who today find themselves in radically opposed ideological worlds, regarding one another across the concrete manifestation of their considerable differences, the Berlin Wall. Under these circumstances, what are the significant factors that contribute to the development in children of feelings of loyalty to or alienation from their nation? How do they view not only themselves, but the "other" Germans as well? How do they come to terms, emotionally and cognitively, with a unique, frequently painful, and frustrating reality? What are the lessons intended for them by their societies, and what lessons do they in fact learn? How do these children persist as Germans while at the same time becoming something else -- "communists? or "capitalists"? Thomas Davey conducted interviews with children both sides of the Wall, participated in their daily lives, collected their drawings, talked with their teachers and families and grew aware of just how attentive children can be to moral and political subtleties of national life. The result is a revealing and dramatic portrait of a young generation coming to terms with complex national and historical circumstances of the two cites of East and West Berlin.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822307294
• ISBN13: 9780822307297
• Release Date: September 1987
• Publisher: Duke University Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

OUTSTANDING AND RELEVANT EVEN TODAY

Thomas Davey's "A Generation Divided" provides an evocative view of the thoughts of children living in a divided Berlin during a critical juncture of the Cold War. Davey's writing is beautiful and the psychological portraits provided are truly inspiring. This book is an essential benchmark for future scholars and a guide to East-and-West perspectives that resonate today. The book's power and drama come not only from the deeply affecting look at the political socialization of children, but also from the words and colorful drawings of the children themselves. This is a profound work. I very much hope that Davey will at some point follow-up with an update on the lives of the children interviewed now that Berlin has fallen. What a sequel that would make! This book is heartily recommended.