Childhood Lost How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids

Subjects:

• Psychology » Child Psychology
• Psychology » Social Psychology
• Family Resources » Pregnancy & Birthing

Reviews:

• 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.
  —Choice December 2005
• 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.
  —Reference & Research Book News August 2005
• 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.
  —Rethinking Schools/Rethinking Schools Online Fall 2005

• Endorsement From Stuart G. Shanker
  Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology
  York University: [A]n enormously important book and should become required reading for anyone who is concerned with our children's welfare. It brings together world-renowned experts from a wide range of fields, ranging from anthropology and economics to psychology and environmental studies. Each of them write with passion about their research and the dangers that face our children today. These essays highlight the unparalleled importance of childhood for a human being's physical, intellectual, emotional and moral growth, and the steps that must be taken to safeguard children's irreducible needs.
• Endorsement From Jane M. Healy, Ph.D.
  Educational Psychologist and author, Your Child's Growing Mind: Development and Learning from Birth to Adolesence: This brilliant and trenchant exposé of how American culture fails our children will enlighten parents and should be on every policy-maker's desk. I only hope they have the guts to read and act on it!
• Endorsement From RAFFI Cavoukian,
  children's troubadour
  author,
  founder of Child Honoring: The corporate takeover of childhood is a developmental hazard that harms the young and dumbs the culture, and is a moral issue for all citizens. A domestic war on parents and children? Not on your watch, say the authors of Childhood Lost. If exploiting children is morally repugnant, why is it legal? Commercializing childhood colonizes the child psyche from birth--a theft of spirit both unconscionable and tragic. The strategic interventions offered here can help heal the tear in the fabric of life. Read this remarkable book of conscience, take action, and tell others. Lawmakers, parents, CEOs, and educators: support families, safeguard the children.

Table of Contents:

• Introductiona by Sharna Olfman
• Children's Irreducible Needs
• The Natural History of Childhood by Meredith Small
• Why Parenting Matters by Laura Berk
• How American Culture Is Failing Our Kids
• The War Against Parents by Sylvia Ann Hewlett and Cornel West
• The Impact of Media Violence on Developing Minds and Hearts by Gloria DeGaetano
• Childhood: The Fastest Growing Market Segment by Susan Linn
• Big Food, Big Money, Big Children by Katherine Battle Horgen
• So Sexy So Soon: The Sexualization of Childhood by Diane Levin
• Techno-Environmental Assaults on Childhood in America by Varda Burstyn and Gary Sampson
• "No Child Left": What Are Schools for in a Democratic Society by Peter Sacks
• Where Do the Children Play by Sharna Olfman
• About the Contributors
• Index

PDF Catalogs:

Praeger Health and Wellness Spring 2008.pdf