oa De communistische paplepel

Raising proper communists. Bringing up children in the communist movement, 1918-39

The aim of this article is to understand better how, during the interwar years, the Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN) tried to bring up children of communist families in accordance with communist ideology. Which norms and values were considered important and how were they conveyed? Which media and strategies were employed? How, in other words, did the lives of children from communist parents take shape within the contours of the communist ideology? The children were brought into contact with the communist ideology in a multitude of ways, all chosen to appeal to the young audience. Through a variety of icons, rituals, and communal activities these children were taught the values, habits, and sentiments at the core of Dutch communist party culture.