The historical youth movement cannot be underestimated in its influence on some generations in the twentieth century, at the turn of the century around 1900 and also in the following decades, even after 1945. Not only for a greater number of bourgeois adolescent, but also from other classes and milieus coming youngsters encounter with youth moving forms of community seemed very stimulating. In the eyes of several age groups - born about 1890-1940 - the youth movement meant more than just the memory of stimulating experiences in adolescence. Part of the narrative of youth moving communities is the emphasis of attitudes and basic value orientations that have been often life-formative. Many youth moving circles referred to Stefan George to explain the 'spirit' of the youth movement. Looking back, their members often quoted a key sentence from the Star of the Covenant" by Stefan George to explain the fundamental meaning of their adolescent experience and to emphasize the lifelong importance of their socialization."

Prof. Dr. Barbara Stambolis lehrt Neuere und Neueste Geschichte an der Universität Paderborn.