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This important book exposes the too-much-too-soon world of American children at the dawn of the 21st century, a world tragically lacking in a firm moral foundation and objective truth. Given these circumstances, Hymowitz notes, today's children are ironically the least likely to ever truly grow up. Ready or Notdescribes how America became what the author calls an "anticultural" society -- one which believes that its children should develop independently of the prevailing culture and even in oppostition to it. Hymowitz explains that anticulturalism "is the dominant ideology among child development experts, and it has filtered into the courts, the schools, parenting magazines, Hollywood, and into our kitchens and family rooms." She warns that the era of anticulturalism, "is producing a new kind of American personality, one that should give us great pause." Hymowitz believes that anticulturalism can be overcome if America reverts to its rich cultural tradition. She reminds us that children need to be sheltered from the adult world's R-rated images and relentless materialism, and given space for their individual spirits "to breathe and thrive." (Encounter Books, 2000, 224 pps., $16.95) |
She explains that, while once parents were expected to civilize their children by teaching morality and restraining their anti-social impulses, it is now widely accepted that children are "innately moral" and that adults are the problem.
