''The family unit is in unprecedented decline and under assault from a wide variety of cultural forces. With years of experience and research working directly with parents and children, Dr. Leonard Sax provides an important glimpse into parenting in modern times, where it's gone wrong, and how to fix it. Being a parent has never been more important and Dr. Sax explains how to avoid parenting pitfalls and raise your children well.'' --Bill Bennett, former Secretary of Education ''Dr. Leonard Sax's The Collapse of Parenting should be required reading for all parents when they enroll their child in preschool. Based on years of extensive clinical practice and interviews with students and parents internationally, Sax presents a sobering and alarming picture of the collapse of parenting in this country. But he does not leave the reader without hope; he offers simple, if not easy solutions, giving parents an accessible guide to help them regain their rightful roles.'' --Nancy Kehoe, author of Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness ''It is time for us to get real as a society. Dr. Leonard Sax has issued both a warning and an encouragement for parents to take up their proper roles in leading their children to a truly mature adulthood. His book is a highly readable and well-informed challenge for us.'' --Dr. Timothy Wright, Headmaster at Shore School Sydney ''There are many 'holy' trinities, but in educational terms, one of them is definitely the relationship between parents, children, and schools. I certainly will be recommending this book to the parents of my school. It does not preach; it cajoles, encourages, guides and helps. It allows one to stand back and step back on one of the most important aspects of life -- looking after our youngsters.'' --Andrew Hunter, Headmaster of Merchiston Castle SchoolFrom the Inside FlapIn "The Collapse of Parenting," physician, psychologist, and internationally-acclaimed author Leonard Sax presents data documenting a dramatic decline in the achievement and psychological health of American children. Sax argues that rising levels of obesity, depression, and anxiety among young peopleas well as the explosion in the prescribing of psychiatric medications for American kidscan all be traced to parents who let their kids call the shots. Many parents are afraid of seeming too dictatorial, and end up abdicating their authority rather than taking a stand with their own children. If kids refuse to eat anything green and demand pizza instead, some parents give in, inadvertently raising children who are more likely to become obese. If children are given smartphones and allowed to spend the bulk of their free time texting, playing video games, and surfing the Internet, they become increasingly reliant on peers and the media for guidance on how to live, rather than looking to their parents. And if they won t sit still in class or listen to adults, they re often prescribed medication, a quick fix that actually undermines their self-control. In short, Sax argues, parents are failing to prioritize the parent-child relationship above all other relationships. The result is children who have no absolute standard of right and wrong, who lack discipline, and who look to their peers and the Internet for direction, instead of looking to their parents. But there is hope. Sax shows how parents can help their kids by reasserting their authorityby limiting time with screens, by encouraging better habits at the dinner table and at bedtime, and by teaching humility and perspective. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience as a family physician and psychologist, along with hundreds of interviews with children, parents, and teachers, across the United States and around the world, Sax offers a blueprint parents can use to refresh and renew their relationships with their children, to help their children thrive in an increasingly complicated world."About the AuthorLeonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., is a practicing family physician, a PhD psychologist, and a speaker for community groups, schools, and professional organizations. His scholarly work has been published in a wide variety of journals including American Psychologist, Annals of Family Medicine, Behavioral Neuroscience, Environmental Health Perspectives, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He has been a featured guest on CNN, PBS, The TODAY Show, Fox News, NPR's ''Talk of the Nation,'' and many other national programs. He lives with his wife and daughter in suburban Philadelphia. how do i make a contact form The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups
114 of 121 people found the following review helpful. A Wake Up Call for ParentsBy Jane Austen"The Collapse of Parenting" presents an opportunity for parents to reflect on their parenting style and (hopefully) recognize how we all need to step up and either reinforce or begin creating stronger bonds with our children in an effort to counteract the alarming trend of children looking to culture/peers for validation and support rather than parents/families. I was pleased to see Gordon Neufeld's "Hold on to your Kids" referenced in the book as it has been one I've highly recommended to fellow educators and parents over the years; while not mentioned directly, the ideas of "too hard/too soft/just right" styles of parenting discussed in the book are reminiscent of Barbara Coloroso's description of "backbone, jellyfish, and brick wall" parents. I always enjoy reading and reflecting on ideas and information presented by Dr. Sax either in print or at one of his lectures. While some would see him as somewhat conservative in his views, he is knowledgeable, has experiences on 'the front lines', and has thoroughly backed up his claims with extensive research... his claims and ideas are very worthy of consideration. While there was no startling 'new' information presented in the book (if you've been reading parenting books), it is written in a relatively easy/quick read format and the solutions presented are certainly do-able. If you are new to the life of a parent or looking for ideas on how to guide your child more effectively and lovingly as they grow towards adulthood, this is a great place to start. Perhaps his will be the voice parents will pay attention to as this current generation grows and matures.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. An excellent overview of many of the troublesome issues facing UBy G. JenningsAn excellent overview of many of the troublesome issues facing U.S. parents in today's world. All American parents need to become aware of the need to exert and maintain their benign (not overtly harmful) authority in their households.35 of 39 people found the following review helpful. Bravo Dr. Sax from a grandmotherBy ANNEI'm a grandmother who reads books pertaining to children's development as much as possible. I have 5 grand children ranging in age 6, 10, 12, 14 and 16. I could not put this book down. I will buy it for my daughter so she could incorporate many of Dr sax's suggestions. She and her husband realize the importance of child rearing and the children know that both parents are in charge. Thank you Dr. Sax for helping parents realize that the "clock may have to be turned back" if children are to realize that their experiences---educational or otherwise are preparing them for life rather than material gain.