The post-war generation remembers: A mixed-method study exploring children’s attitudes towards World War II commemoration

H.B. Mitima-Verloop; P.A. Boelen; G.T.M. Mooren

doi:10.1111/chso.12531

The post-war generation remembers: A mixed-method study exploring children’s attitudes towards World War II commemoration

H.B. Mitima-Verloop^*
, P.A. Boelen
, G.T.M. Mooren

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

This study investigated how children, a post-war generation without direct connection to war, relate to the commemoration of World War II (WWII). Seven group interviews were held among pupils in the Netherlands, aged 9 to 18 (n = 55) and, subsequently, questionnaires were administered to other pupils (n = 374). Results revealed that children are affected by the collective narrative of WWII, and connect to commemoration on a social and emotional level. Comprehension, tangibility, inclusiveness and a right atmosphere are key elements to appreciate a commemoration. Insights from this study may help societies practice more appealing remembrances with post-war generations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	747-767
Number of pages	21
Journal	Children and Society
Volume	36
Issue number	5
Early online date	2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12531
Publication status	Published - Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project has been supported by the National Committee for 4 and 5 May (The Netherlands), and ARQ Centre of Expertise on War, Persecution and Violence (The Netherlands).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Children & Society published by National Children's Bureau and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

World War II
children
commemoration
comprehension
learning lessons

Access to Document

10.1111/chso.12531Licence: CC BY

Children Society - 2021 - Mitima‐Verloop - The post‐war generation remembers A mixed‐method study exploring children sFinal published version, 158 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = "This study investigated how children, a post-war generation without direct connection to war, relate to the commemoration of World War II (WWII). Seven group interviews were held among pupils in the Netherlands, aged 9 to 18 (n = 55) and, subsequently, questionnaires were administered to other pupils (n = 374). Results revealed that children are affected by the collective narrative of WWII, and connect to commemoration on a social and emotional level. Comprehension, tangibility, inclusiveness and a right atmosphere are key elements to appreciate a commemoration. Insights from this study may help societies practice more appealing remembrances with post-war generations.",

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The post-war generation remembers: A mixed-method study exploring children’s attitudes towards World War II commemoration

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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