Education & Academia / Education Systems / Special Education

We Call It Care, But It's a Cage: The Dark Truth About Disability Homes

Ambivalenzen pädagogischen Handelns

Hendrik Trescher

You think modern care facilities are safe havens for the most vulnerable? Think again. Sociologist Hendrik Trescher spent years inside a German home for adults with intellectual disabilities, and what he found will shatter your beliefs. This isn't about neglect—it's about a system that works too well. From locked fridges and 24/7 surveillance to forced medication and infantilizing baby talk, Trescher reveals how 'care' becomes a tool of control. In his book *Ambivalenzen pädagogischen Handelns* (Ambivalences of Pedagogical Action), he exposes the invisible walls that trap residents in a life without autonomy. We break down the bureaucratic machinery that turns humans into data, the medical labels that erase identity, and the tragic irony of staff who become wardens. This is a wake-up call for anyone who believes in dignity. Watch to understand how we can dismantle the cage—and why true inclusion means embracing risk.