Predeterminated for war - a trace of intergenerational transmission of war legacies among ethnically divided post-war generation from Bosnian urban areas

Abstract

Existing studies show that generations born in peace can be affected by past war(s) through intergenerational transmission (IGT) of its legacies from the generations which experienced war and often are profoundly affected by this experience (e.g. Catani, 2010). More recently, attempts have been made to extend this cycle of violence model to explain how mass atrocity violence (such as wars, genocide, or crimes against humanity) experienced by parental generations may affect the next generations (Berckmoes et al. 2017). This paper empirically explores whether war legacies (e.g. ethnic divisions) are transmitting in communities from parental (war generation) to postwar generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how. A brief overview of the Bosnian war (1992-1995) and clarifications regarding the IGT of mass violence stemming from various academic disciplines such as criminology, psychology, sociology, public health, anthropology, and peace and conflict studies will be presented. This research is based on a thorough qualitative study into factors of intergenerational transmission of war legacies among postwar generation from the three dominant and constituent ethnic/religious groups, former war enemies (Bosniak/Muslim, Croat/Christian and Serb/Orthodox). Focus group interviews with postwar generation have shown that relicts of the past are affecting the present and the future of the society, as well as the wellbeing of postwar generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.