Work

What challenges did young people face in the 70ies and 80ies, the last generation of divided Germany? In the West, they faced the first real structural unemployment phase since the end of WWII. The destruction of the environment and a reheating of a Cold War itself led to a pessimistic outlook and coining of the term “Ellenbogengesellschaft” (ellbow society). Things were different in the East, where unemployment was unheard of, but the equal access to educational opportunities was limited.

Building your own house was as important of an acitivity, as it was in the West. Access East German recordings to zoom in on Hausbau. 

East Germans took pride in their work. Access footage on work recorded by East German citizen throughout four decades. 

East Germany called itself a worker’s state. Did workers receive the highest privileges in East Germany? How does it compare to West Germany?

Where would East Germans have met POC? What about West German “guest workers?”

The issue of guest workers in West Germany to mitigate labor shortages after WWII is well known, but who were East Germany's guest- or contract workers? 
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We asked, Ingrid Miethe, PhD answered: Could you briefly explain in what way the GDR influenced your education and work? 
See answer.

Nicole Reichenbach lives in Guatemala and is a student at a PASCH- school, a global network of schools with stellar German programs. In this video she discusses the meaning of work for society. In German with English subtitles.