Editing Fritz Haarmann (section)

===Childhood===
Fritz Haarmann was born in [[Hanover]] on 25 October 1879, the sixth and youngest child born to Johanna (''[[née]]'' Claudius) and Ollie Haarmann.<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 18">{{cite book|first1=Thomas|last1=Lessing|first2=Karl|last2=Berg|first3=George|last3=God|title=Monsters of Weimar|year=1993|publisher=Nemesis Publications|location=Berlin, Germany|isbn=1-897743-10-6|page=18}}</ref>

Haarmann was a quiet child, with few friends his own age or gender, and who seldom socialized with any children outside of school, with the exception of his siblings. From an early age, Haarmann's behaviour was noticeably [[Effeminacy|effeminate]], and he was known to shun boys' activities, instead playing with his sisters' dolls<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 23">Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 23</ref> and dressing in their clothes. He also developed a passion for both [[needlework]] and cookery,<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 23"/> and would develop a close relationship with his mother, who spoiled her youngest child.<ref name="Real Life Crimes 2650">Real Life Crimes, p. 2650, {{ISBN|1-85875-440-2}}.</ref>{{refn|group=n|From his early childhood Fritz developed a bitter hatred and rivalry towards his father, which would continue until his father's death in 1921.<ref name="ReferenceB">Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 21</ref>}}

Reportedly, Haarmann's father married his mother when she was 41 years old and seven years his senior, largely due to her wealth and the substantial [[dowry]] their marriage would eventually bring him. Haarmann Sr. was known to be [[argumentative]] and short-tempered and conducted several affairs throughout his marriage. Via his [[infidelity]], he contracted [[syphilis]] in his later years.<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 23"/> Despite his father being an authoritarian who had little time for his children and a notorious [[Promiscuity#Male promiscuity|womanizer]], Haarmann's parents remained together until his mother's death in April 1901.<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 23"/><ref name="ReferenceB">Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 21</ref>

In 1886, Haarmann began his schooling; he was noted by teachers to be a spoiled and mollycoddled child who was prone to daydreaming. Although his behaviour at school was noted to be exemplary, his academic performance was below average, and Haarmann had to repeat a school year twice. On one occasion, when he was about eight years old, Haarmann was [[child molestation|molested]] by one of his teachers, although he never discussed this incident in detail.<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 24">Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 24</ref>

Haarmann grew into a trim, physically strong youth. With his parents' consent, he finished his schooling in 1894. Upon leaving school, Haarmann briefly obtained employment as an apprentice locksmith in [[Neuf-Brisach]] (now part of France) before opting at age 15 to enrol in a military academy in the town of [[Breisach]].<ref name="Real Life Crimes 2650"/> His military training began on 4 April 1895.<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 23"/>