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[Does a connection exist between early child day care in the former GDR, authoritarianism and right-wing extremist
Fiona Kalkstein1, Lisa Kriechel2,3, Elmar Brähler4,5
1Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institut für Demokratieforschung (EFBI), Universität Leipzig.
Abstract:
The article discusses the question whether external childcare in the GDR is associated with higher levels of authoritarianism and right-wing extremism today. For this we used data from a representative survey of the new federal states (REP-NL, n=1,581) from 2022 to measure the relationship between the form of early childhood care of former GDR citizens and the expression of right-wing extremist attitudes in linear regressions. In the next step, authoritarianism was added as a mediator in order to test the assumed mediation. The results initially showed that not external care, but family care at pre-school age in the GDR was associated with stronger right-wing extremism. When authoritarianism was included as a mediator, it was shown that authoritarianism almost completely explained the association between the form of care and right-wing extremism. Family care in the GDR that was associated with higher authoritarianism scores than external care. The results suggest that many educators in the GDR may have raised children with less authoritarian attitudes than previously assumed and open up new perspectives on early childhood care today.
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Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...