Childhood Lost: How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids

By Sharna Olfman

Book Overview

Experts from across disciplines join forces here to focus attention on current American culture and the devastating effects it is having on its children. From children developing surprising physical maturity and sexual awareness at younger and younger ages, to those estranged when television and computer screens replace family time, and those warped by national junk food/fast food habits bringing an explosion of obesity and diabetes among boys and girls, this book takes a harsh look at the results of American social norms. The damage being done by governmental policies is examined, including inadequate parental leave, a minimum wage that is not a living wage, unregulated day care, and a public education system that delivers inferior education to poor children. A call to action, this is a work from some of the best-known child experts nationwide. Every person who has or cares about a child will find this of interest.

Experts from across disciplines join forces here to focus attention on current American culture and the devastating effects it is having on its children. From children developing surprising physical maturity and sexual awareness at younger and younger ages, to those estranged when television and computer screens replace family time, and those warped by national junk food/fast food habits bringing an explosion of obesity and diabetes among boys and girls, this book takes a harsh look at the results of American social norms. It highlights the damage being done by governmental policies, including inadequate parental leave, a minimum wage that is not a living wage, unregulated day care, and a public education system that delivers inferior education to poor children. A call to action, this is a work from some of the best known child experts nationwide. Every person who has or cares about a child--or the future of U.S. socity-- will find this of interest.

Most experts writing about childhood address issues from their own particular perspective. This work draws together a team of top scholars from across fields. They connect the dots in engaging and clear essays. Altogether, they demonstrate that the problems facing children today come from an underlying crisis of adult values, and they suggest that individuals must join forces to turn back this crisis.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0275981398
• ISBN13: 9780275981396
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

This book is worth reading

The nature of childhood is changing so fast in our country. It's impossible to understand the stresses our children are exposed to by referencing our own childhoods or even the experiences we've had raising older children. My kids are 8 years apart, and my younger daughter is growing up in a more stressful and hazardous world than her older sister. This book, containing 10 essays by different authors, is intelligent and thought provoking. The essays are based on research, and they are readable and clear. If you would like to get a little ahead of the dangers kids are facing these days, this book is a good start.