How enlightenment works: Our topics in February

Dear reader

If you've been reading our advice magazine for any length of time, you'll know Mr Müller: whenever our drawing teacher pressed the black button, the shutters came down and the slide projector came on. What we got to see was as fascinating as it was disturbing: pictures of Mr and Mrs Müller, bloody as fiddles on the beach, stark naked in the flower meadow. While Mr Müller pointed out the differences between a female and a male breast, we stared intently forwards, trying to memorise every anatomical detail, no matter how small. Later, when Mr Müller lectured - dressed, of course - on perspective drawing, we always had a bit of trouble concentrating. That was 45 years ago. And it has nothing in common with today's sex education lessons at school. Sexuality is also talked about differently at home. But what does age-appropriate sex education look like in the internet age? I am happy to pass on a recommendation from the very readable dossier by my colleague Sandra Casalini: «Parents should make sure that they are always one step ahead of their children's development when it comes to sex education.»

«I'm preparing for the worst, I'm hoping for the best and I'll take it as it comes.»

Hannah Arendt (1906 - 1975) was a Jewish German-American political theorist and publicist.

Where do headteachers feel the shoe pinches? How do they experience working with parents? In this issue, the VSLCH, the association of school headmasters, has its say for the first time - now alternating with the LCH, the umbrella organisation for teachers. Thomas Minder, Switzerland's headmaster since August, kicks things off with the topic «Building trust». Read his article here: Communication between school and parents.
Whether children grow up in poor or rich circumstances influences their physical and mental health. This is well known. English researchers have now discovered that even perceived poverty has a negative impact on the mind. Young people who placed their families further down the social ladder, regardless of their actual financial situation, were more likely to be depressed than those who were more positive about their family's social status. A shocking realisation, in my opinion. How must children who actually live in a family at risk of poverty feel? «When money is barely enough to live on» - a report that gets under your skin.
Oskar Jenni is one of Switzerland's best-known developmental paediatricians. Since 2018, he has headed the «Akademie. For the child. Giedion Risch» in Zurich. It campaigns for greater acceptance and appreciation of children in society. Under the title «Cosmos Child», Oskar Jenni is launching an exclusive lecture series in cooperation with the Stiftung Elternsein foundation, publisher of this magazine. Eleven experts will answer questions such as «What do children and young people need for their mental and physical well-being?» or «How can the path to a successful life be shaped?». You can find out who the speakers are and how to get tickets here.

We are a little proud to have satirist and psychoanalyst Peter Schneider on board as our columnist of the year. «Reading Schneider is pure pleasure», is how the specialist magazine «Schweizer Journalist» explains its choice. See for yourself: «One question - three opinions» with Peter Schneider in top form - ironic, biting and quite wicked.
Yours sincerely - Nik Niethammer