Saving Childhood: Protecting Our Children from the National Assault on Innocence

By Michael Medved and Diane Medved

Book Overview

In Saving Childhood, cultural critic Michael Medved and his wife, psychologist Diane Medved, provide positive and practical strategies for parents who struggle every day with a society that seems perversely determined to frighten and corrupt its young. They explore and explain today's assault on innocence, which now menaces our children from four directions--the media, schools, peers, and most destructively, parents themselves. This book provides both general and detailed suggestions on how to overcome each of these influences and give our children the most precious gift of all--a secure, hopeful, and protected childhood.

The Medveds argue that the destruction of innocence among today's young arises From the good intentions of some of the most "enlightened" elements in this society, who believe we must warn children about--rather than protect them from--the harsh Facts of a cruel and often violent world. But Saving Childhood provides powerful evidence that a healthy society, and the psychological health of each individual, requires a period of nourishing and sheltering in order to instill confidence and security in each new generation.

In this vital wake-up call, the Medveds provide a clear, practical, and uplifting blueprint for rescuing the enchantment of youth. They suggest that rather than stressing danger and despair to our children, we should emphasize gratitude, clear standards of behavior with predictable results, and a sense of home as sanctuary. Both shocking and hopeful, Saving Childhood empowers parents to restore the key elements of childhood innocence--security, a sense of wonder, and optimism--that should be honored as the precious birthright of every American child.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060173726
• ISBN13: 9780060173722
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.1" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Book

Arrived on time Interesting

Every parent who thinks you're helping your child by introducing them to "reality" at 3 yoa NEEDS to

It's refreshing to hear someone finally espouse an idea that's been clear to me for a long time and that seems to have been completely lost in today's society: Children need to be introduced APPROPRIATELY to "reality". Does it make for easier parenting? Not by any stretch. It takes diligence and effort to make intelligent decisions about what to expose your child to. The idiotic idea that it's somehow better for a 5 year old to "see how things really are" is borne of lazy parents, both intellectually and physically. If you want easy, don't have kids. Thank you to the Medveds for writing this book- I hope some of the people I see writing reviews here have the sense, for their children's sake, to heed some of the advice.

A book every American parent ought to read

What a novel concept! Michael and Diane Medved have decided that parenting is not only important, but actually worth the time and effort required to rear happy, well-mannered progeny. While this book is rife with suggestions about issues such as schooling, vacationing, and the evening meal, perhaps no social convention is confronted so adamantly as the television. Supplying solid statistics and reasonable examples, the authors make a convincing argument in the idea of eliminating one's TV altogether.But this book is not an attack on America's social system. It's a call to regain control of one's family by exercising wisdom, temperance, discipline, common sense, and optimism in an age when examples of such qualities seem to be difficult to find.

Promoting security and a sense of wonder!

Controversy is deliciously entertaining, violence is shocking and sensual content is titillating.....for most adults. But what is this doing to our children? The Media has so permeated our lives that it seems there is no way to protect "childhood innocence." "Saving Childhood" offers parents hope and practical tips on how to encourage security, a sense of wonder and optimism in the life of a child. This book will empower parents and give them hope for the future. The first part of the book has been written to make parents aware of the realities of the situation and explains the "Assault" on innocence. The second part is the "Defense." Michael and Diane explain that the Assault is coming from Media, Schools, Peers and Parents. They show how statistics have proved that the problems in our society are getting worse at a rapid pace and back this up with scientific evidence. They also explain many points with examples from the raising of their own three children. The Medveds explain how we live in a land where sex education has failed to reduce teenage pregnancy, children feel guilty for existing, parents push their children to grow up too fast, children have a lack of moral values, and parents have taken a passive role. So who is educating our children? It seems an inadequate school system and the TV! Television is well known for programs which contain high levels of violence. I have long been a believer that TV violence causes aggression. Michael and Diane prove this point and I found it interesting to read about how the crime rates increased soon after the introduction of TV into various towns. I grew up in South Africa for most of my childhood and remember very few people having TV's in the early years. TV was apparently banned until 1975. In fact, my father never purchased a TV and so I grew up basically TV-free! Perhaps that is why I can still enjoy a movie like "Runaway Bride." Most of my friends are so jaded, they can't appreciate movies which I find to be very enjoyable. In fact, most movies are new to me. The Medveds also show how TV promotes impatience, self-pity, superficiality and gives us all a harsh view of the world. With all this negativity, how are we balancing our lives and promoting a positive view of the world? There are now three books I consider "essential reading" for every American: "America's Real War," "The American Paradox," and "Saving Childhood." These three books are brilliantly conceived works which explain America's present predicament and give excellent solutions. After reading all three books, I am now convinced of our nations need for: 1. Responsibility to a Higher Power. (90 percent of Americans believe in God) 2. Renewed respect for life and authority. 3. The teaching of personal responsibility, patriotism and honesty. 4. Parents that stay together and live what they teach. 5. The teaching of moral values. 6. The reading of inspiring books instead of a diet of negative TV reinfo

Essential reading for parents!!

Written with the meticulous research and keen insight for which Michael and Diane Medved are rightfully noted, this is an excellent book. Citing the many negative influences of our modern culture, the Medveds stress the importance of saving childhood innocence, something which we of the older generation possessed, but sadly, children of the present generation often do not. Loving and caring parents themselves, Michael and Diane give parents hope and practical information to enable the rearing of happy, independent, and emotionally healthy children.

SAVING CHILDHOOD is a must read!

For all parents and those concerned about the effects of popular culture on the minds and hearts of their children, this is an essential book. The Medveds point out the perils of the "preparation" paradigm currently in vogue. According to this way of thinking, children must be prepared for the worst, in order to protect them. In realilty by telling children that the world is an evil place full of danger the "preparation" advocates are frightening them needlessly, destroying their innocence, and making them prematurely cynical. Sex education in kindergarten, distribution of condoms in junior high, debunking of religion in public schools, bad examples set by politicians including the president, are just a few of the topics which are explored in this timely and important book. SAVING CHILDHOOD succintly demonstrates that children's happiness depends upon optimism, innocence, and a sense of wonder The Medveds give practical tips and pointers on how to provide these three qualities for your children. I highly recommend this book..