Gender in Hitlerjunge Quex is exploited by the Nazis to illustrate critical moral and social flaws evident within communist culture, but moreover that such flaws are pervading the whole of German society. The film does this on two levels, juxtaposing gender roles within the youth, and among adults.

Clearly, the communist youth’s involvement with inappropriate vices is placed against their well-behaved Nazi counterparts. Communist girls are illustrated as sexually liberated, and willing to use that sexuality to manipulate young German men. Their clothes are much more form fitting, hardly proper for young ladies. These girls have lost all semblance of innocence, and willingly participate in sinful, typically male, activities like drinking, smoking, and gambling. Not to mention they openly socialize with older men. “Traditional German” gender roles are nonexistent for them, and their loose morals threaten to destroy the volk via the downfall of the family. The communist boys are unruly, they appear slovenly, and show no promise of leadership; they could hardly become productive German men. Along with their penchant for drinking, they have crass humor. They do not work, they simply goof around, and show no remorse at berating the Nazi boys, who are just trying to do their “jobs.” They

In contrast the Nazi children are pleasant and well groomed. The girls and boys are divided into their own groups. The girls appear to be innocent and proper, wearing skirts, and long hair. They do not question the leadership of their male counterparts, but simply do what they are told. The Nazi boys are physically fit, and are well dressed in their uniforms. They work hard distributing and copying fliers, clearly preparing themselves to be legitimate grown-up members of society. As well, they lead themselves. Being that young men are directing their age appropriate counterparts, unlike the communist youth who are lead by a shady older man. These young boys are a parents dream. They are stereotypical “boyscouts” demonstrated by the fact that a nice old lady will let them operate out of her basement. They have a respect for authority, they demonstrate restraint, and do not concern themselves with petty and unnecessary violence. Clearly they are becoming what good men are supposed to be in the Nazi image, ready to contribute to German society through family and occupation.

There is also a contrast between the communist adult males and Nazi adult males. Heini’s father is obese and does nothing more than cause trouble and drink, all of his friends seem either emaciated or unkempt. They only concern themselves with social agitation, beer, and violence. Most importantly they are all unemployed. The Nazi males are all hardworking leaders, exemplified by the Hitler Youth group advisor (for lack of a better term). He understands the necessity for order and importance of instruction and direction for the youth. Not to mention he has a real job. When Heini goes to the home of his friend Ulla and her brother the woman who answers the door asks if he is looking for the Dr. (evidently the son and father have the same name). The father of the leading Nazi youth children is gainfully employed and educated contrasting Heini’s father.

This boils down to the fact that Nazi men are the polar opposite to Communist men, as are Nazi women. In Nazi culture gender roles, particularly that of breadwinner, are important, and what better way to dissuade the viewer from the communist lifestlye than to show them that in the Nazi way of life food will always be on the table.