On June 1, 2023, a special cinema evening at the Faculty of Applied Social Studies at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences focused on the topic of parental involvement of children in home education in an exciting and vivid way.
The event, initiated by Prof. Dr. Nicole Knuth as Equal Opportunities Officer and the Faculty Council of Applied Social Studies, attracted around 100 guests to Emil-Figge-Straße - including students and lecturers from the faculty as well as professionals from the field. Actors from the film were also present as a highlight of the evening.
The cinema evening was preceded by various Fachhochschule Dortmund projects on the topic of participation of parents with children in home education. Current research findings highlight the great need of parents for contact and bonding with their children when they are placed outside the family home. The aim of the evening was to draw attention to individual family stories and to reduce the stigmatization that affects many mothers in such a situation.
Author and camerawoman connected
The event began on the Fachhochschule Dortmund campus. In summery weather, the guests gathered in front of lecture hall U33 at Emil-Figge-Straße 44 and started the evening in a relaxed atmosphere with fresh food from the grill and drinks. Prof. Dr. Nicole Knuth then welcomed the guests and Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki, Dean of the Faculty, introduced the theme of the cinema evening. As a special surprise, the guests were treated to a video message from Sybille Schultz, the author of the film, and camerawoman and producer Petra Domres.
In the lecture hall, the report "Mutter bleiben! Auch wenn das Kind ins Heim kommt", from the WDR series "Menschen hautnah", was shown. This portrays the lives of three mothers whose children are accommodated in residential groups, whereby the common feature of the situations is the close cooperation between the residential group and the mothers. The film was followed by a stimulating panel discussion in which the mother, Jenny Schöler, the social worker, Heribert Seidl, and the head of the Rhineland Child and Youth Welfare Association, Esther Boedeker, answered questions from Prof. Dr. Nicole Knuth and Felix Frenz, a member of the student council. Questions from the audience were also included.
The discussion provided a platform for an open exchange and allowed guests to address their concerns and questions directly to the participants. In particular, the concept of the facility, which places an exceptionally important focus on parental participation in the residential group, received high praise from the audience. Warm words of respect were also conveyed to Jenny Schöler personally. "Respect to you for having such strength and fighting back as a mother. You can be really proud of yourself!"
Exchange with actors in the film
The evening ended in a cozy atmosphere, while the guests continued to talk to each other and the actors in a relaxed atmosphere.
The cinema evening was a helpful step towards making students and interested parties aware of the needs of mothers and children in residential care and raising awareness of their situation. The close cooperation between the residential group and mothers has proved to be very positive, as the case of Jenny shows: The bond between her and her daughter has strengthened significantly as a result of the close cooperation.
The success of the cinema evening has reinforced the idea of holding similar events with a different focus in the future.
