‘Wakker Met Een Wijsje’ – How Kinderen Voor Kinderen Gave Voice to the Changing Dutch Zeitgeist

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes how the Dutch pop phenomenon Kinderen voor Kinderen mirrors the Zeitgeist of societal changes in the Netherlands. Strongly rooted in the left-winged pillar of the system of pillarization (verzuiling), Kinderen voor Kinderen dared to address controversial topics like the fear for the atom bomb, the changing female body in puberty, homosexuality and diversity. Bespreekbaarheid is the key word for our three case studies. The first – Brief aan Ernst – is an answer song for Doe Maar, a reaction to the doemdenken. The second one – Het Tietenlied – breaks the taboo of developing breasts. Lastly, the third case study – Kom erbij – is about diversity and gender issues.