The Journey from Childhood to Adulthood
One of the reasons Spring Awakening is revolutionary was the impact it had on how adults viewed development children. The discovery of adolescence followed the discovery that the inhabitants of the new world who were between the stages of childhood and adulthood, struggled with problems regarding themselves, specifically sexual problems. German burghers had placed age into two categories, childhood and adulthood, completely disregarding the existence of the intermediate stage in life. As long as someone was in school, they remained a child, and were treated as such. Once they left school, they were immediately an adult. The Aritur, or secondary school final examination, was often referred to as the “maturity examination”. Despite the fact that it was being administered to people who had been physically mature for years. This resulted in the offspring of lower-classes, who often left school early, became adults at very young ages. While middle-class children didn’t become adults until their late teens. Every additional year of school resulted in another year of childhood, and suspended entrance into adulthood and adult experiences. (Fishman 1970)
Mental Health in Germany
During the 19th century, the delayed development of German citizens wasn’t considered a major social issue, since it only affected a small collection of people. Those who developed maladjustments were concealed by guardians and teachers. By the end of the century, however, an increasing number of young people in school who remained there for a longer time were expected to act like children, despite their physical and drives being fully developed. This resulted in an increase of social disorders among these youth, one of them being suicides. In a highly literate and burecratic state like Germany, suicide was one maladjustment that couldn’t be hidden. Every suicide was carefully recorded in official records and journals and less carefully reported in the daily press. When, for example, the fifteen-year-old son of a well-respected middle-class family in Stuttgart jumped into the Neckar with his thirteen-year-old pregnant girlfriend, the event recienced full official and public exposure.
After a growing interest in psychology, many inquiries were made about the causes of these acts. This led to more complete statistics and a collection of case studies in Germany. Writers became attracted to the drama of suicides, especially adolescent suicides. Adolescent suicide became a key factor in German dramas. Adolescent suicides became a concern of school reformers, they saw a pattern with the increase in suicides and the education system.One of the constant themes in Spring Awakening is how societal views impact the mental health of youth. This growing awareness with the struggles of adolescence, especially regarding sexuality and mental health, that precipitate the discovery of adolescence. The fascination of adolescent suicide took Germany by storm, and everyone was searching for the reason why this act was so common amount young people. The principle debate focused on whether suicides were caused by poor schools, urban living, or the complexities of life. (Fishman 1970)
After a growing interest in psychology, many inquiries were made about the causes of these acts. This led to more complete statistics and a collection of case studies in Germany. Writers became attracted to the drama of suicides, especially adolescent suicides. Adolescent suicide became a key factor in German dramas. Adolescent suicides became a concern of school reformers, they saw a pattern with the increase in suicides and the education system.One of the constant themes in Spring Awakening is how societal views impact the mental health of youth. This growing awareness with the struggles of adolescence, especially regarding sexuality and mental health, that precipitate the discovery of adolescence. The fascination of adolescent suicide took Germany by storm, and everyone was searching for the reason why this act was so common amount young people. The principle debate focused on whether suicides were caused by poor schools, urban living, or the complexities of life. (Fishman 1970)
By: BS