The international conference "Being Young during WW1"

Austro-Hungarian soldier and children, Eastern Front

Although it might seem obvious to write such things, we have to admit that a global war has a different impact depending on gender and age. Not only the soldiers were young during the five years of the Great War and it’s not a coincidence that the most popular title with the word “youth” belongs to a woman, Vera Brittain and her Testament of Youth. The international conference "Being Young during WW1" to be held at Manchester Metropolitan University on 7 November 2015 aims “to examine the effects of the First World War on children and young people, and its social and psychological legacies. Growing up in a period of conflict had an immense impact on the young. There were deep fears and anxieties, but also freedoms and opportunities. For some, the costs were relationships traumatised by separation and the death or injury of family members and friends. For others, school lives were disrupted, adult supervision relaxed and wages rose as a result of labour shortage. Some were caught up in the military excitements of war and enlisted as boy soldiers; others protested and took part in strike action. The image of the child became a potent figure in propaganda and patriotic parades and performances, while war themes became a popular theme in juvenile literature.”

The complete program is available at this link as PDF.