The Disappearance of Childhood

Customer Reviews:

An Almost Astonishing Book-.......2007-10-05

It isn't often anymore that I read something that pops my eyes wide open. Postman is always interesting, always thought provoking, but in this book, he had me outside my own box, looking back in. So seldom am I offered new ideas, new perspectives based on intelligent rersearch and analisys. And what he has to say here is a little chilling. His history of the existance of our idea of childhood was fascinating - but his warning for the immediate future is important and powerful. I might, myself, have titled the book The Disappearance of Adulthood - Postman's points here explain so much. Coupled with David Elkind's The Hurried Child and Brizendine's The Female Brain, this book sheds huge light on why things are happening in our homes, our culture, the world. Add a little research into the new work on adolescent brain chem, and suddenly, the way we have been doing things for our children springs serious holes. An engaging, pleasant read with thorns. Highly recommended to anybody who loves kids. We need to understand what to expect from them and ourselves.

The Attacks on this Book are as Weak as the Arguments of the Book are Strong.......2007-08-10

It is simply untrue to write, as Amazon Reviewer Aaron Swartz writes, that Neil Postman praised the Children's Letters "because they agreed with him". Rather, Postman praised them because they showed by their responses that they valued the declining institution of Childhood, and that they were clearly distressed by the possibilities raised in Postman's Book.

Basically, Postman in his book said: "Society no longer values the distinctiveness of Children relative to Adults, and as a result the institution of Childhood is eroding out of existence."

The Children responded by saying: "We are TOO Distinct from Adults!", and Postman praised them for valuing their declining distinctiveness enough to defend the concept that they are still distinct (a concept all too often not defended by Adults).

Postman values Childhood, and as a result he values (and praises) children who show by their words that they value childhood themselves.

And the thing that is that Postman explicitly said in his Preface to the new edition that he was praising the Children for showing they valued Childhood and for raising the thrilling possibility to Postman's mind that Children could themselves be a conserving force against the array of Adult assaults upon the Childhood Concept. Moreover, he most assuredly gave no indication that he was praising them for agreeing with him.

There is nothing difficult to understand in this, and as a result one may conclude it possible that the misreading of the Amazon reviewer (a misreading clearly intended to discredit Postman) was both willful and deceptive in its intent.

And as for the claim that Postman never explains why he considers the Disappearance of Childhood a bad thing, it is a claim devoid of merit as Postman gives many reasons for why he values Childhood and fears its destruction.

For instance, what part of the explosion in Juvenile Crime does not the Amazon reviewer understand? Or is it that he thinks crime a good thing and thus was perplexed as to why Postman make the unexplained assumption that it's a bad thing?

As Postman lays out in his book, Persons Under the Age of 15 once (1950) committed serious crimes at 1/215th the rate of persons 15 and older, but in deep and disturbing contrast, by 1979 they were up to committing serious crimes at very nearly 1/5th the rate of their elders.

And when I say serious crimes, I exclusively mean Rape, Murder, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault.

Also, does Swartz consider it a good thing that persons under the age of 19 now suffer from a much higher rate of Venereal Disease than they did in time periods that had more respect for the Childhood Construct?

But the primary reason why Postman views the disappearance of childhood as a bad thing is because he believed the rise of the "Adult-Like Child" would lead to the "Child-Like Adult", who would lamentably lack traditional Adult Virtues such as Literacy, Logical Thought, Impulse Control, the Ability to Delay Gratification, and Considerate Manners.

I'll leave it to the readers of this review to draw forth from their experience to see if they might not find some little scraps of evidence here and there that such a rise of a Child-Like Adult has actually occured.

The reason why the Adult-Child would lead to the Child-Adult is a bit too complicated for me to get into here, but suffice it say that Postman explains the whys and wherefores in excellent and logical detail in his book.

Postman's Footnote to The Gutenberg Galaxy.......2007-06-20

This is one of Neil Postman's best books. It is also one of his shortest, and it makes a great introduction to the world of his thinking. Postman had a knack for downloading the difficult ideas of media philosophers like Marshall McLuhan and stating them plainly, directly and with very little artifice. So, for those who have attempted to approach McLuhan, but find his hyperbolic way of speaking off-putting, Postman makes a good introduction. In fact, Postman's books are probably the best introduction for the beginner to the entire field of Media Studies, which began in 1950 with the publication of Harold Innis's Empire and Communications.

Postman gets right to the point, and his point is that childhood--though a biological phenomenon--is largely a cultural construct. It is not a given. If a society regards its children as miniature adults, as they were so regarded in the Middle Ages,then it will not treat them like children, but like adults. When they are treated like adults, they act with all the knowing concupiscence and violent irascibility of adults. When they are treated as a separate category from the concept of "adult," their behavior patterns evidence a very different psychology. Thus, "childhood" in this sense is indeed a culutral construct, and it is a construct, according to Postman, that is now in full disinetegration.

In many ways, Postman's book can be regarded as a footnote to McLuhan's Gutenberg Galaxy, for in that book, McLuhan discussed how the advent of the printing press brought with it a whole series of new social and cultural structures and ideas that did not exist prior to its invention, such as the nation state, the idea of intellectual property, the idea of individuality itself, linear, organized thinking, etc. It made possible the invention of new literary genres such as the essay and the novel, and changed the social conditions that had once made it possible for the epic to flourish. Thus, the printing press put the epic out of business and favored the rise of the novel. Postman's book adds to this list of new Renaissance cultural modalities made possible by typography, the idea of the child as a distinct entity from an adult based on the fact of the adult's literacy and the child's lack thereof. With print, the adult came into possession of a new hoard of secret knowledge that only those who could learn how to read could have access to. Thus, knowledge regarding such matters as shame and sexuality, sin, the structure of the cosmos, morality, etc. became things which a child did not properly know about until he was of an age to be able to read. Thus, literacy and its gradually increasing mastery became identical with the idea of a responsible adult.

Postman says that this idea is now disappearing as a result of the flourishing of electronic culture, and in particular, the television. Television as a mass medium lays all the secrets of adult life bare and open and accessible for any child who wants to hear about them or see them demonstrated. Ageing, illness, death; transvestism, homosexuality, violence; all are daily subjects of commercials and talk shows, and all are readily available to the child.

Conversely, as the distinction between the child and the adult erodes, the adult, Postman says, is becoming "childified." The adults on sitcoms or soap operas or other television shows can scarcely be distinguished from children not only in the lack of difference in the clothes which they wear, but in their lack of references to cultivation, learning, books, classical music, etc. Postman says that only the character of Felix Unger on The Odd Couple comes anywhere close to representing this older Renaissance idea of the adult as a cultivated being qualitatively distinguishable from the child through the making of literary references in his convesation. "Adults" on television are no more literate than children are nowadays, and so can scarcely be distinguished from them.

Thus, according to Neil Postman, the concept of children as different beings from adults is now in full disintegration due largely to electronic media such as television. And let's face it: who can say that he is really wrong here?

--John David Ebert, author, Celluloid Heroes & Mechanical Dragons: Film as the Mythology of Electronic Society

Much Needed.......2007-05-09

Postman's message is much needed today, even if the book is a few years old.

In a clear manner, Postman documents the loss of childhood today due to the onslaught of adult information being thrown at children in cartoons, TV, on the internet, in the classroom, etc. Postman would not advocate a continuing adolescence, but would promote holding back certain information from children until they're older and better able to process the information.

Unfortunately, many today will probably not heed the message of this "prophet". But I find his writings beneficial to ponder in this information saturated world.

Education Classic.......2006-07-21

Despite having been written in the early 80's the themes and ideas raised are still thought provoking and relevant. A really valuable read for anyone working with and advocating for children!

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The Disappearance of Childhood
Neil Postman
Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000M28P08

Hands Off: The Disappearance of Touch in the Care of Children (Eruptions: New Thinking Across the Disciplines)

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Hands Off: The Disappearance of Touch in the Care of Children (Eruptions: New Thinking Across the Disciplines)
Richard T. Johnson
Manufacturer: Peter Lang Pub Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility

ASIN: 0820439835

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good book to READ

A Death Divided
Clare Francis
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
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ASIN: B000OCXL3C

Customer Reviews:

good book to READ.......2005-12-21

I listened to the audio & realize I must read Clare Francis books. As this book rambled about, I became bored & almost quit it, but the last chapters are so twisting & compelling, that I am very glad I finished the audio. From now on I will read her books rather than listen. Never think you have figured this one out. The ending is a big surprise.

Hands off! The Disappearance of Touch in the Care of Children. (book review): An article from: Childhood Education

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Hands off! The Disappearance of Touch in the Care of Children. (book review): An article from: Childhood Education
Marita Renauer
Manufacturer: Association for Childhood Education International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Childhood Education, published by Association for Childhood Education International on June 22, 2002. The length of the article is 2449 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Hands off! The Disappearance of Touch in the Care of Children. (book review)
Author: Marita Renauer
Publication: Childhood Education (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2002
Publisher: Association for Childhood Education International
Volume: 78 Issue: 4 Page: 244(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

There may come a time when government restrictions severely limit not only access to firearms but the tools and means to repair and maintain them, or you may someday find yourself in the boondocks with a busted weapon. That's where the guerrilla gunsmith comes in. Ragnar Benson has had experience fixing "junk" guns in some tough places around the world, and here he shares some innovative ways to patch up, cobble together and otherwise make operational everything from antique rifles still found in remote war zones to modern firearms suffering from appalling abuse. Drawing on lessons and stories from backwoods experts he's worked with under desperate conditions in Africa, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan and beyond, Ragnar tells how to employ last-resort but effective techniques to remove hopelessly stuck rounds and other barrel obstructions, straighten bent barrels, replace lost parts, smooth out dented magazines, make repairs to some pretty hopeless stocks, scrounge up workable ammo and more. These are last-ditch, do-it-yourself methods, but they may be all you'll have to fall back on deep in the bush or with your back to the wall, when the only things between you and the enemy are a rifle and the know-how to make it work.

Customer Reviews:

Fell short of my expectations.......2003-08-02

This book is exactly what it the title implies - Guerilla Gunsmithing, and explains the techniques of gunsmithing in many worn-torn third-world countries. This book will not be particularly useful to you if you are interested in gunsmithing in modern America.
If you have been doing your own gunsmithing for several years, you may want to skip this book. I found the information to be very basic and not really contain that much information that was new to me. Much of it was "common-sense" type information -- like using duct tape or leather cord to "repair" a stock. I was disappointed that the author censors himself on some of the potentially dangerous aspects of gunsmithing, such as heat-treating receivers and barrels.
On the other hand, I did find a few interesting tips on determining metal type.
If you are a beginner or if you just want to know about the gunsmithing practices in third world countries, then this may be a good book for you.

Very good book.......2002-01-27

This is not a book like "how to make". It's just as the title says, guerilla gunsmithing. It comes very handy when repairing small weaponry under hard improvised conditions. Next to that, it's written in a very pleasant understandable style. When you are in to firearms, just buy this book, you won't regret it. By the way, check out other titles of Rangar, he wrote some great books and it is a shame that some of the ""how to make" series are out of print all the time (hint hint!!)

Book Description

This book presents an overview of the social, political, and cultural reality of the Basque Country. The twelve authors describe the social structure, analyze the instituional structure that maintains Basque identity, and examine the principal processes of change in contemporary Basque society.

Section I addresses sociostructural aspects and the Basque socioeconomic and institutional framework, demographic trends, and language use. Section II analyzes social mechanisms and institutions that include the family and associative groups, together with the influence of the media, education, religion, and language on notions of collective identity. It also provides an overview of Basque political life and civil society. Section III explores recent social transformations—in particular, changing notions of identity—from the perspectives of political affiliation, language, youth, labor, gender, and the Basque diaspora, as well as that of new immigrants.

Book Description

In addition to filling a need within the field of parental behavior, this book contributes importantly to the growing area of emotional and motivational neuroscience. A major part of neuroscience research at the whole organism level has been focused on cognitive neuroscience, with an emphasis on the neurobiology of learning and memory, but there has been a recent upsurge in research which is attempting to define the neural basis of basic motivational and emotional systems which regulate such behaviors as food intake, aggression, reproduction, reward-seeking behaviors, and anxiety-related behaviors. In this book the emphasis is on the research findings obtained from rodents, sheep and primates. The authors' goal, of course, was to provide a foundation that may help us understand the neurobiology of human parental behavior. Indeed, the last chapter attempts to integrate the non-human research data with some human data in order to make some inroads toward an understanding of postpartum depression, child abuse, and child neglect. Clearly, motivational and emotional neuroscience has close ties to psychiatry, and this connection will be very evident in the final chapter. By understanding the neurobiology of parental behavior we are also delving into neurobiological factors which may have an impact on core human characteristics involved in sociality, social attachment, nurturing behavior, and love. In this very violent world, it is hard to conceive of a group of characteristics that are more worthy of study.

Hormones, Brain, and Behavior (Biology of the Reptilia Series)

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Hormones, Brain, and Behavior (Biology of the Reptilia Series)

Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0226281248

Book Description

This is the first volume to integrate information on ways in which the nervous and endocrine systems interact to mediate crucial aspects of reptile behavior. Although the authors pay particular attention to reproductive behavior, from initial recognition and evaluation of potential partners to decisions about reproduction, they also deal with other survival behaviors.

Estrogens and Brain Function: Neural Analysis of a Hormone-Controlled Mammalian Reproductive Behavior

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Estrogens and Brain Function: Neural Analysis of a Hormone-Controlled Mammalian Reproductive Behavior
Donald W. Pfaff
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0387904875

Hormonally Induced Changes in Mind and Brain

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Hormonally Induced Changes in Mind and Brain

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 012631330X

Book Description

Describing the latest findings in both clinical and laboratory research, this volume investigates the behavioral and neural affects of endocrine activity in animals and humans. Each chapter discusses the relationship between normal endocrine control of behavior and the pathological consequences that result from endocrine abnormalities. The relevance to mental health, and basic regulatory homeostatic events are balanced with a basic understanding of how hormones affect behavior and the brain. The book is written to appeal to a wide audience of readers, from the educated lay person to the seasoned M.D. and research scientist.
Chapter topics include the effects of endocrine activity on homeostasis, sexual behavior, aggression, circadian rhythms, and affective disorders, in addition to discussing steroid abuse, adrenal steroid effects on the brain, and a detailed investigation on the effects of cholecystokinin and oxytocin.

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Hormones, Brain and Behavior, Vol 1-5
Donald W. Pfaff
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Hormones, Brain, and Behavior is a comprehensive work discussing the effect of hormones on the brain and, subsequently, behavior. This five-volume major reference work has 106 chapters covering a broad range of topics with an extensive discussion of the effects of hormones on insects, fish, amphibians, birds, rodents, and humans.

To truly understand all aspects of our behavior, we must take every influence (including the hormonal influences) into consideration. Donald Pfaff and a number of well-qualified editors examine and discuss how we are influenced by hormonal factors, offering insight, and information on the lives of a variety of species.

Hormones, Brain, and Behavior offers the reader comprehensive coverage of an emerging and prominent field with a state-of-the-art overview of hormonally-mediated behaviors. The set provides unique treatment of all major vertebrate and invertebrate model systems with excellent opportunities for relating behavior to molecular genetics. The topics cover an unusual breadth (from molecules to ecophysiology), ranging from basic science to clinical research, making this reference of interest to a broad range of scientists in a variety of fields.

Key Features
* Contributors from 16 different countries and more than 70 institutions
* Unlike any other hormone reference on the market Hormones, Brain and Behavior addresses hormone effects in all major vertebrate and non-vertebrate models
* A timely, current reference on an emerging field with each chapter providing an in-depth exploration of the topic
* Discusses molecular aspects of hormone function, systems, development, and hormone-related diseases
* Addresses hormone effects in both the developing and adult nervous system
Topics include:
* Mammalian and Non-mammalian Hormone-behavior Systems
* Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Hormone Actions on Behavior
* Development of Hormone-dependent Neuronal Systems
* Hormone/Behavior Relations of Clinical Importance

Hormones, Brain and Behaviour in Vertebrates (Comparative Physiology)

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Hormones, Brain and Behaviour in Vertebrates (Comparative Physiology)

Manufacturer: S Karger Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Hormones, Brain and Behaviour in Vertebrates: 1. Sexual Differentiation, Neuroanatomical Aspects, Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides : Proceedings (Comparative Physiology, Vol. 8)

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Hormones, Brain and Behaviour in Vertebrates: 1. Sexual Differentiation, Neuroanatomical Aspects, Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides : Proceedings (Comparative Physiology, Vol. 8)
Brain, and Behaviour (1989 : Liege, Belgium) International Conference on Hormones
Manufacturer: S. Karger Publishers (USA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Hormones, Brain Function, and Behavior. Proceedings of a Conference on Neuroendocinology Held at Arden House, Harriman, New York, 1956

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Hormones, Brain Function, and Behavior. Proceedings of a Conference on Neuroendocinology Held at Arden House, Harriman, New York, 1956
Hudson [Ed] Hoagland
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GPAPFE

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Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
Brian W. Bagnall
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0125321066

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Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
James H. Earle
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0125321074

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