Gabriel’s heart. Youngsters and their emotions in Belgian state reformatories for juvenile delinquents, 1890-1965

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, thousands of minors were sent to juvenile reformatories, aimed at transforming ‘problematic’ youngsters into obedient citizens. While the history of reform schools is well documented, little is known about the emotional practices taking places within their walls. Drawing on extensive archival research, this research explores the changing patterns of emotions and power in Belgian reform schools between 1890 and 1965. The project focuses on the role of emotions in three domains: the psycho-pedagogical observation techniques that were applied in the reformatories; the interpersonal relations between the educators and the detained minors; and lastly the emotional practices of the detained minors themselves.