The Disappearance of Childhood

by Neil Postman

Paperback, 1994

Status

Available

Collection

Miscellaneous NonFiction

Genres

Publication

Vintage/Random House (1994), 177 pages

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 Postman suggests that childhood is a relatively recent invention, which came into being as the new medium of print imposed divisions between children and adults. But now these divisions are eroding under the barrage of television, which turns the adult secrets of sex and violence into popular entertainment and pitches both news and advertising at the intellectual level of ten-year olds.

User reviews

LibraryThing member waitingtoderail

The first half of this book is a terrific rundown of the history of the development of the concept of childhood, and, as Postman's argument goes, the decline of that concept in the last century. The second half is Postman continuing his argument and coming off as a huge curmudgeon. I mean, he says

that the character of Felix Unger is the best example of an adult on television at the time of writing. 'Nuff said.

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LibraryThing member georgeslacombe

The best book on this topic. I would recommend for everyone who wants a better understanding of our time.

LibraryThing member themulhern

A Postman book, arguing that a bad thing that is happening in society is caused by the destruction of print culture.

We have examples he would never have dreamed of now, like children doing drag performances or undergoing genito-plasties on television. I observed with my own eyes the sexually

suggestive attire for eight year olds in major department stories at least ten years ago.

Now I have the Postman explanation for all this.

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