Now in its fourth edition, Childhood in World History covers the major
developments in the history of childhood from the classical
civilizations to the present and explores how agricultural and
industrial economies have shaped the experiences of children.
Through comparative analysis, Peter N. Stearns facilitates a
cross-cultural and transnational understanding of attitudes toward the
role of children in society, and how "models" of childhood have
developed throughout history. He addresses the tension between regional
and social/gender differences, on the one hand, and factors that
encouraged greater convergence, including the experience of
globalization. The book also deals with regional patterns as determined
by different religious and cultural systems and family structures. It
encourages readers to consider the complexity in evaluating childhood
patterns in the past, in light of more modern conditions and
expectations, and at the same time to realize some of the problems
contemporary children encounter.
This updated and expanded fourth edition includes:
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Broadened discussions of childhood in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
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Additional text on children's play and the impact of immigration
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More voices from children throughout
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Updated bibliographies and suggested readings
Concisely presented but broad in scope, this book will be of interest to
students of world history and those involved in interdisciplinary
approaches to childhood.
