Childhood in and after World War II -: Experiences with two groups

The article presents the processes in two groups whose members talked about their childhood experiences during World War II, focussing on the container function of the group. The way small children perceive war desasters depends to a large degree on family relationships, parentification, and endurance of loss and violence within the family. Dealing with the differences of the individual experiences within the group in the context of a shared history was crucial for the members deeper understanding of their personal histories and led in part to a change of perspective. The limits of the group exchange, however, become apparent, where parental silence and secrecy in regard of the collaboration in Nazi activities is being touched. Then, the group is confronted with transgenerational transmission of affects as well as taboos of the collective memory.