»Von der Wiege bis zur Bahre«

Within the völkisch neo-Nazi scene, the principle of "from the cradle to the grave" applies. Family associations educate their children according to biologistic-racist and national-socialist principles over generations, in some cases since National Socialism. Nationalist and neo-Nazi youth associations take over a significant part of ideological socialisation alongside the parents and create a closed, ideologically and socially closed parallel world for their members. Children are brought up according to the völkisch maxim of subordinating the individual person to the needs of the assumed national community. Leaving this specific part of the organised neo-Nazi scene is extremely rare and almost impossible for children and young people. The Heimattreue Deutsche Jugend (HDJ) was banned in 2009 because of its affinity with National Socialism. Nevertheless, it still stands as an example of this specific form of institutionalised völkisch education. The book 'Von der Wiege bis zur Bahre' (From the Cradle to the Grave) provides a systematic examination of the HDJ's educational principles, content and practices based on the banned organisation's written self-representations using qualitative content analysis. In particular, the aspect of endangering the welfare of children is examined in detail and it is shown that the fundamental rights of children and young people are systematically violated in this spectrum. Implications for educational research and practice are discussed.