The Disappearance of Childhood

By Neil Postman,

Book cover of The Disappearance of Childhood

Book description

From the vogue for nubile models to the explosion in the juvenile crime rate, this modern classic of social history and media traces the precipitous decline of childhood in America today−and the corresponding threat to the notion of adulthood.

Deftly marshaling a vast array of historical and demographic research, Neil…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Disappearance of Childhood as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Postman was a hugely erudite and witty writer. When I discovered this book in the 1990s, I was immediately convinced by his argument that our modern conception of ‘childhood’ is connected with the invention of the printing press … and with human progress over succeeding centuries. I was just as convinced by his concern that the recent explosion of screen-based culture would have profound effects on childhood and, indeed, on the quality of human thought. I’m therefore deeply honoured that Toxic Childhood is now on an ‘A’ Level Sociology syllabus alongside The Disappearance of Childhood – can’t believe that we’re…

From Sue's list on child development and education.

Want books like The Disappearance of Childhood?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Disappearance of Childhood.

Browse books like The Disappearance of Childhood

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in childhood, child development, and presidential biography?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about childhood, child development, and presidential biography.

Childhood Explore 186 books about childhood
Child Development Explore 27 books about child development
Presidential Biography Explore 18 books about presidential biography