Group therapy with students suffering from exhaustion and examination fears revealed underlying unresolved oedipal conflicts. The patients' histories revealed the typical fates of children born shortly after World War II. Their defeated, powerless and previously absent fathers evaded authority conflicts by creating the outward appearance of a liberal family atmosphere. In this situation the key is seen not only to the psychodynamics of examination fears but also to the student protest movement. In agreement with Lacan the author believes that the decline of the father-image, by releasing aggression, is one of the most decisive events determining the world-wide student rebellion.