The Role Of The ‘Transgenerational Unsaid’ (Historical, Social, Psychological) In Life Histories

The paper addresses in an interdisciplinary way an urgent question in Social and Educational Sciences: how is it possible to create space for (new) thinking and awareness in the many cases where war and conflict infect individuals and societies in the telling of stories? How could education break down the cruel prisons of the trans-generational transmission of hatred, cruelty, resentment, revenge? The reflection starts from a recent experience of the author, who attended a Working Conference in Poland, entitled "European Perpetrators and Victims. Then and Now ", focused on the psychological legacy that brings to perpetuate prejudice and violent relationships in the different countries and their populations. Traumas suffered by grandparents and parents are handed on to children and grandchildren, festering like an invisible poison the life histories. The paper will discuss some concrete examples, from the author’s experience. This issue will be addressed using the psychoanalytic concepts of inter and trans-generational legacy as well as the psychoanalytic research on traumatic experiences (Varvin & Volkan, 2003; Sklar, 2011; Oliner 2012), both on personal and social level. Here is exactly where we find the interdisciplinary connection among history, society, psyche and education. It will be discussed also the contribution of the Group Relations Method.