How were youth organizations reestablished in West Germany after the war? What was the perception, particularly of regimented ones like the Scouting movement?

In terms of youth organizations, there were two major factors influencing the reformulation of youth organizations--the pre-1933 movements and the appearance of the state-organized groups in East Germany after 1953. In the first case, late 19th century groups such as the Wandervogel and the Vereine had a very conservative (or rather anti-modern) approach and sought to preserve traditions through camping, hiking, and interacting with the rural environment. Following 1945, West German social leaders shied away from the more centralized (and mandatory) notions of youth organization (Catholic organizations did re-emerge in a national setting but these were separate from scouting). It appears that the early scouting movement used a similar system as the Wandervogel but with the influence of the British and American system of organization (and without the anti-modern elements), often through municipal authorities to create a federated organization. However, there was a general sense that youth in West Germany should be allowed the freedom (and individuality was promoted as a valuable part of German democracy), thus youth subcultures became equally as prominent in the literature of postwar West Germany (especially the Halbstarken, who were perceived as a threat despite their embrace of American culture in the 1950s).

Sources: Uta Poiger, Jazz, Rock, and Rebels

Mark Edward Ruff, The Wayward Flock

Mark Fenemore, Sex, Thugs, and Rock and Roll