Patriarchal discourse has lead to the marginalisation of women, children and teenagers. The aims of this research were to deconstruct patriarchal discourse; to empower teenagers to speak out for themselves; to facilitate teenagers' identifying, questioning and 'interviewing' of important problems in their lives, and to let teenagers' voices be heard by adults. Post-modern social construction discourse, post-modern and feminist theologies were used to challenge patriarchal discourse. A narrative, pastoral approach was used to assist teenagers to accomplish these aims. Using externalisation, three problems (Depression; Drugs and Alcohol; Verbal, Physical and Sexual Abuse) were exposed for what they really are, and how they influence many teenagers' lives. Alternative stories of how teenagers stand up against these problems were told. The teenagers decided to inform parents and teachers of their lived experiences in three letters. These three interesting, innovative letters are included in this dissertation. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Patriarchal discourse has lead to the marginalisation of women, children and teenagers. The aims of this research were to deconstruct patriarchal discourse; to empower teenagers to speak out for themselves; to facilitate teenagers' identifying, questioning and 'interviewing' of important problems in their lives, and to let teenagers' voices be heard by adults. Post-modern social construction discourse, post-modern and feminist theologies were used to challenge patriarchal discourse. A narrative, pastoral approach was used to assist teenagers to accomplish these aims. Using externalisation, three problems (Depression; Drugs and Alcohol; Verbal, Physical and Sexual Abuse) were exposed for what they really are, and how they influence many teenagers' lives. Alternative stories of how teenagers stand up against these problems were told. The teenagers decided to inform parents and teachers of their lived experiences in three letters. These three interesting, innovative letters are included in this dissertation. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Ce mémoire de maîtrise consiste en une analyse des dynamiques relationnelles entre l'État de la République démocratique allemande et ses citoyen·ne·s à travers un échantillon de lettres de plaintes envoyées entre 1953 et 1967 concernant les problèmes liés au logement. Les plaignant·e·s ont adopté des « valeurs socialistes » tout au long de leurs discours pour justifier la légitimité de leurs demandes et ils ont utilisé les mots et les principes mêmes de l'État pour exiger des actions. Ce mémoire met en lumière non seulement ces différentes stratégies en utilisant une approche « par le bas », mais examine aussi examine également la réaction de l'État. On remarque notamment que les réponses envoyées par l’État aux plaignant·e·s étaient en général plus positives dans les années 1960 et 1950, ce qui montre d’une part une évolution dans le rapport entre l’État et la société, mais aussi d’autre part un certain changement quant à l’application même des principes socialistes. On remarque en outre que, dans les années 1960, le gouvernement de l’Est a davantage pris soin d'adapter la gestion de ses politiques intérieures aux besoins de la population. L'analyse de ces lettres se situe à la croisée de deux méthodes ; tout d'abord, une analyse discursive a permis de saisir les stratégies d'écriture récurrentes par lesquelles la population a tenté d’influencer l’État. Puis, une analyse statistique des réponses de l’État croisée à l’évolution des politiques intérieures a permis de saisir les changements d’attitude du gouvernement envers sa population. / This master’s thesis analyzes the dynamics between the German Democratic Republic and its citizens through complaint letters that East Germans sent to the State between 1953 and 1967 regarding housing problems. It argues that the complainants adopted “socialist values” throughout their discourses as a way of justifying the legitimacy of their complaints. In other words, they used the discourse and principles of the state against it in order to demand action and a resolution to their problems or concerns. This thesis not only highlight these various strategies, utilizing a “history from below” approach, but it also investigates the state’s reaction to the complaints of its citizens. It argues that the state responded overall better in the 1960s as it did in the 1950s, showing evolution in the relationship between state and society as well as a shift in the state’s way to understand socialism. By the 1960s the East German government had had time to slowly adapt its domestic politics towards the population’s needs. The analysis of these letters is at the crossroads of two methods: First I employ a discursive analysis that allows me to identify the recurring strategies by which the state and its citizens sought to influence each other. Second, I use a statistical analysis of the State’s responses coupled with an examination of domestic politics that allows me to capture the changing attitude of the government towards its population.