Hester Barron Boeken

A newly rediscovered gem from the Mass Observation archive.

Focusing on London's elementary schools during the 1920s and 1930s, this book explores how the interwar classroom influenced twentieth-century Britain. It presents a detailed analysis of educational experiences, emphasizing the connection between schools and their local communities. The narrative highlights the role of education as a catalyst for social change, offering a unique perspective on the historical significance of these institutions in shaping societal dynamics.

This innovative collection draws on original research to explore the dynamic interactions between parents, governments and their representatives across a range of European contexts; from democratic Britain and Finland, to Stalinist Russia and Fascist Italy. The authors pay close attention to the various relationships and dynamics between parents and the state, showing that the different parties were defined not solely by coercion or manipulation, but also by collaboration and negotiation. Parents were not passive recipients of government direction: rituals and cultures of parenting could both affirm and undermine state politics. Readers will find this collection crucial to understanding family life and the role of the state during a period when both underwent significant change.