Down with the beating and punishment of children in the family. (Fedorov A.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet-era propaganda poster from 1926 by A. Fedorov titled Down with the beating and punishment of children in the family.

What I see:

The poster depicts a stark scene with a deeply unsettling atmosphere. A stern-looking man in a dark suit stands at the forefront, holding a horsewhip, his gaze fixed and somewhat menacing. Behind him, a woman, presumably his wife, appears downtrodden and worried. In the foreground, to the right, a young boy stands, crying and rubbing his eyes, clearly distressed.

To the left, a red banner, held aloft by several shouting children, proclaims in bold lettering: Dont beat and dont punish the children! Take them to the Pioneer detachment! These children in the banner appear enthusiastic and unified, advocating for a different approach to raising children.

In the upper right corner, there are blocks of text that appear to be labels for different stages of a childs life: Ясли (Nurseries), Школа (School), and Друг детей (Friend of children), with the latter also appearing on a band worn by a shadowy figure whose arm is reaching out, seemingly in support of the Pioneer movement or the depicted children. The overall color palette is muted, dominated by purples, greys, and red, adding to the somber and serious tone.

Subtexts:

• Critique of Traditional Family Discipline: The poster directly challenges the pre-revolutionary practice of corporal punishment within the family. The menacing father with the whip symbolizes the oppressive and cruel methods of discipline that the Soviet regime sought to eradicate.
• Promotion of the Pioneer Movement: The poster advocates for the integration of children into the Young Pioneer organization as a positive alternative to familial punishment. The Pioneer movement, a youth organization within the Soviet Union, was promoted as a place for ideological education, collective activity, and a supportive environment, contrasting with the perceived harshness of the home. The slogan on the banner explicitly directs parents to Take them to the Pioneer detachment!
• State Intervention in Family Life: This poster underscores the Soviet states intent to influence and reshape traditional family structures and child-rearing practices. It suggests that the state, through organizations like the Pioneers, has a role to play in the moral and ideological upbringing of children, offering a more enlightened path than the private sphere of the family.
• Idealized Childhood: The children on the banner appear happy and empowered, representing the ideal of a new generation brought up in a collective, ideologically sound environment. This contrasts sharply with the solitary, tearful boy on the right, who likely represents the victim of traditional, harsh parenting.
• Symbolism of Authority: The stern, dark figures of the parents represent the old order and outdated methods, while the vibrant banner and the subtle presence of the Friend of children symbol represent the new, progressive Soviet ideology. The horsewhip is a potent symbol of oppression and violence, which the poster aims to cast aside.

In essence, the poster is a powerful piece of socialist propaganda designed to encourage a shift in societal attitudes towards child-rearing, promoting collective, state-sanctioned upbringing over traditional, private forms of discipline.