Gebhardt argues that 20th-century German education was less about nurturing and more about a deep-seated . For decades, experts warned parents that showing too much affection would turn their children into "tyrants" who would manipulate their families.
Up until the 1960s, advice like "Children should not be kissed!" was common, aiming to harden children and maintain parental authority.
Gebhardt notes that history isn't just a straight line toward more empathy; even in the early 20th century, some middle-class circles had more relaxed attitudes than the rigid structures that followed.
Johanna Haarer’s 1934 book, The German Mother and Her First Child , remained a bestseller long after the war, promoting strict schedules and emotional distance as a way to prevent "tyrannical" behavior. Key Themes
The feature highlights how contemporary parents still struggle with these historical echoes, caught between the desire for a loving bond and the lingering fear that their child might "take control".