The Disappearance Of Childhood Analysis

Childhood Disappearing as a Result of the Rich
In American society, advancement in education has proven to be a major force in narrowing the gap of disparity between men and women, whites and minorities, the rich and the poor, and now, childhood and adulthood. The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman stresses the concept that childhood and adulthood have been separate stages in one’s lifespan; though, the similarities between the two are so parallel that they are emerging into one. Throughout history, literacy has been the determining factor whether one would fall into the category of a child or of an adult. In a once illiterate society, an adult was one who was only able to communicate fully verbally and have command over his or her
Part of the blame in childhood disappearing is placed on the parents of the children that encourage what is portrayed on this show while the other blame is placed on the greedy entertainment business that is allowing children to be sexualized, on television, to profit financially from it. In “Toddlers and Tiaras,” young girls are dressed in extravagant dresses, with their hair and makeup worn like women, spray-tanned, swaying down the runway showcasing their beauty and being judged for it. This poses another problem with a society where adults encourage children to act like more mature because it is easier for adults to relate to someone similar to themselves. The mothers in this show are insistent on their daughters modeling because of the mothers' possibly unrealized desires to have modeled sometime throughout their own lives. The sexualization of girls has significant consequences, such as negative effects on cognitive and emotional development in women and an increase in sexual harassment and violence in men toward women. If this show sexualizes and exploits young girls by allowing them to dress in provocative clothes such as the prostitute in “Pretty Woman,” girls are losing their
As girls and boys have hit puberty earlier, their physical development has been altered in a way where they physically grow faster than before. Besides, cognitive development in children has drastically been improved ever since the onset of education. Education has allowed for both children and adults to be more analytical and disciplined; as a result, this compels children to act more adult. With the requirement to remain in school for the majority of the day, usually around 8 am to 2:30 pm, children are forced to interact with their teachers and classmates, consequently developing their social skills. As social skills are further established while, in the workforce, adults are forced to interact with their coworkers on a daily basis, usually 9am-5pm. Work and school resemble one another in many respects, especially concentration expectations. The long hours help children and adults exercise concentration. Ultimately, the additional years that adults have on children allow them to have experienced more, which is the only factor that still keeps the gap from fully closing between childhood and