Childhood Lost: How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids (Childhood in America) [Hardcover]

Sharna Olfman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2005 | Series: Childhood in America

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this poignant collection of critical essays, voices from the social sciences and humanities come together to assess the degree to which American culture satisfies what editor Olfman calls the "irreducible needs" of its youth. "Record levels of childhood obesity, asthma, high school failure, psychiatric disturbance, youth suicide, and preteen sex speak to the fact that we are failing our children," she says. Olfman organizes the essays so that they clearly demonstrate the link between such problems and society's apathetic acceptance of issues like commercial advertising to children and industrial destruction of the environment. The writers of each essay provide ample empirical research and disheartening statistics-"On average, children between the ages of two and eighteen spend almost forty hours a week outside of school consuming media"-to convince readers that American society is waging what economist Sylvia Hewlett and Princeton University professor Cornel West call "The War Against Parents." They argue, for example, that family-hostile governmental policies contribute to the breakdown of the family by forcing parents to work longer hours away from their kids and by keeping wages low so that adequate childcare is inaccessible. The resulting chain reaction of possible developmental problems is overwhelming. The U.S. is "virtually alone," Olfman argues, in its failure to create policies that secure the health and well-being of its families. This collection makes a sincere effort to reemphasize parental and governmental responsibility to actively ensure that the society in which they live supports the well-being of their children. The book makes for a harsh reality check, but it is a must-read for anyone genuinely concerned with the future of children and their families.

Review

"Olfman, a clinical psychologist and professor of developmental psychology at Point Park University, presents ten essays that raise an alarm about the consequences of accepted social norms for American children."

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Reference & Research Book News

"A powerful collection of essays that demonstrate how our society is conducting a war on children. Examines media violence, commercialization and the sexualization of childhood, obesity, and failed government and corporate policies on parental leave, minimum wage, and unregulated day care. A useful handbook for educators, parents, and policymakers."

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Rethinking Schools/Rethinking Schools Online

"In this powerful narrative about the challenges facing children and their families in the US in the 21st century, clinical psychologist and associate professor of developmental psychology Olfman does an excellent job of bringing writers together to help readers explore a wide variety of issues, including debates on culturally relevant topics ranging from the educational dilemmas caused by No Child Left Behind and the developmental impact of media violence and childhood obesity to the commercialization and sexualization of children. This book is an easy read, providing political, social, moral, and empirical perspectives. It will be both disturbing and thought-provoking to anyone professionally or personally concerned about the issues currently facing children and their families in the US. Recommended. General collections, professionals, and practitioners."

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Choice

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275981398
• ISBN-13: 978-0275981396
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is worth reading, June 2, 2009

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This review is from: Childhood Lost: How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids (Childhood in America) (Hardcover)

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.