Rating: 
Summary: A book every American parent ought to read
Review: 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 reinforcement. 7. A revamp of our Education System. 8. Holding our Media responsible for programming. 9. Teaching a sense of gratitude for life. 10. An all-out effort to protect the remaining innocence of our children. In order to promote the efforts of parents, Michael and Diane devote chapter seven, eight and nine to explain how parents can promote "security," "a sense of wonder," and "optimism" in the lives of their children. "Childhood is perhaps the only phase of life when innocence can flourish. But to allow this, parents and others responsible for children's minds need to construct a protective shelter against the painful and frightening facets of life. They need to stand guard at its door, to let the harsher truths of reality gradually unfold for the child, in a way and at a pace that allows the child to maintain a positive outlook. Honoring innocence is incompatible with assuming that the earlier children grasp all the worst aspects of the world, the better prepared they'll be to handle them." -- "Saving Childhood" page 195 To this I add one of my favorite poems for children: May tree and plant and shrub be soundless through the night and stars and moon be dimmed to shut out all the light. So when you sleep in peace, no bird will move in flight, and angles guard your sleep. Goodnight, my love goodnight. - James Neill Northe
Rating:
Summary: Promoting security and a sense of wonder!
Review: 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 reinforcement. 7. A revamp of our Education System. 8. Holding our Media responsible for programming. 9. Teaching a sense of gratitude for life. 10. An all-out effort to protect the remaining innocence of our children. In order to promote the efforts of parents, Michael and Diane devote chapter seven, eight and nine to explain how parents can promote "security," "a sense of wonder," and "optimism" in the lives of their children. "Childhood is perhaps the only phase of life when innocence can flourish. But to allow this, parents and others responsible for children's minds need to construct a protective shelter against the painful and frightening facets of life. They need to stand guard at its door, to let the harsher truths of reality gradually unfold for the child, in a way and at a pace that allows the child to maintain a positive outlook. Honoring innocence is incompatible with assuming that the earlier children grasp all the worst aspects of the world, the better prepared they'll be to handle them." -- "Saving Childhood" page 195 To this I add one of my favorite poems for children: May tree and plant and shrub be soundless through the night and stars and moon be dimmed to shut out all the light. So when you sleep in peace, no bird will move in flight, and angles guard your sleep. Goodnight, my love goodnight. - James Neill Northe
Rating: 
Summary: Review of Saving Childhood
Review: Cracking the cover of Saving Childhood is like spreading a napkin across one's lap prior to a Thanksgiving feast. Michael and Diane Medved set the reader's table with a bountiful array of fascinating - sometimes disturbing statistics and quotations surrounding the many influences on childhood. Like a fly buzzing around the stuffed turkey however, is the Medved's consistent opinionated and judgmental interjection. The book systematically addresses "the assault on innocence" by media, schools, peers, and parents with a barrage of statistics and quotes by specialists in related fields. Few are spared by the accusing Medved finger. Refreshingly, the targets of attack are not limited to one aspect of society, but rather proposes that the most ignorant entertainer is perhaps no more guilty of this assault than the permissive parent. Educators, parents, caregivers, and just about anyone interested in social analysis and criticism will find Saving Childhood an entertaining, worthwhile read. However, these very same readers may also find themselves eventually rolling their eyes over the repeated, cutesy tales of the authors' own family. For those of us with children that walk in dirty sneakers rather than fly on angelic wings, the Medved's personal life may evoke mild nausea. Similarly, those that indulge in occasional tasteless humor may become defensive when they find the Medved finger pointing directly at them. Nonetheless, the book's social and personal value far exceeds its minor quirks. The average adult reader will find the writing light and approachable, and will undoubtedly walk away with at the very least a new perspective on the subject; perhaps, the reader will even walk away a better person.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Saving Childhood
Review: Cracking the cover of Saving Childhood is like spreading a napkin across one's lap prior to a Thanksgiving feast. Michael and Diane Medved set the reader's table with a bountiful array of fascinating - sometimes disturbing statistics and quotations surrounding the many influences on childhood. Like a fly buzzing around the stuffed turkey however, is the Medved's consistent opinionated and judgmental interjection. The book systematically addresses "the assault on innocence" by media, schools, peers, and parents with a barrage of statistics and quotes by specialists in related fields. Few are spared by the accusing Medved finger. Refreshingly, the targets of attack are not limited to one aspect of society, but rather proposes that the most ignorant entertainer is perhaps no more guilty of this assault than the permissive parent. Educators, parents, caregivers, and just about anyone interested in social analysis and criticism will find Saving Childhood an entertaining, worthwhile read. However, these very same readers may also find themselves eventually rolling their eyes over the repeated, cutesy tales of the authors' own family. For those of us with children that walk in dirty sneakers rather than fly on angelic wings, the Medved's personal life may evoke mild nausea. Similarly, those that indulge in occasional tasteless humor may become defensive when they find the Medved finger pointing directly at them. Nonetheless, the book's social and personal value far exceeds its minor quirks. The average adult reader will find the writing light and approachable, and will undoubtedly walk away with at the very least a new perspective on the subject; perhaps, the reader will even walk away a better person.
Rating:
Summary: SAVING CHILDHOOD is a must read!
Review: 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..
Rating:
Summary: SAVING CHILDHOOD is a must read!
Review: 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..
Rating: 
Summary: Some good ideas but poorly executed
Review: I bought this book after hearing a radio interview with the authors in which he cited a number of the problems and concerns facing children today. His concerns are valid, but the logic in which he makes his arguements is flawed. Examples cited often use "worst case" anecedotes or studies and sometimes the detail behind his assertions makes no sense. In one instance, he complains about obsense lyrics in an album that I don't recall ever hearing about, then he states that children will be harmed by a discussion of the controversy. On the same page, he laments the youth of certain musicians such as the Hansons and a 16 year old blues artist. No complaints here about the content, just a concern that the artists are too young. (Doesn't he remember the Jackson 5 or Partridge Family?) Another section I found almost laughable was the story about his 8-year old saying "This is a bad book" about the Girl Scout Junior Handbook, because the child had come across a discussion of menstruation. Couldn't she have just skipped over it? How are they going to explain to this child when she is 12 that this is now a "good" topic? I would like to read a book by the daughters in about ten years as they describe their upbringing in retrospect. Especially the one that says she is picky about her friends and would never have a friend her parents didn't approve of. Talk about children who have been programmed to say the right thing! In summary, I did not disagree with many of the points mentioned. I would have liked to see more emphasis on the influence of media of females' body image and a more balanced look at sex education.
Rating:
Summary: Good Premise, But Quite Overwrought
Review: I was quite receptive to the premise of the book, as I have been decrying the growing move to make "little adults" out of children, and I am struggling to insure some sense of childhood for my own two children. The Medveds are well intentioned, but they try so hard that it undermines some good points included in their analysis. To use a baseball analogy: they came up with the bases loaded; rather than simply trying to put runs on the board with a solid single, they loaded up for the grand slam, resulting in a pop to third base. The book is quite "over the top" in its included examples of our culture and the manner in which to counteract the at-times negative influence of the media, peers, school, and parents. As other reviewers have noted, some of the Medveds' examples of their reaction to certain situations are downright chilling. One example: their local librarian had (innocently) recommended a particular Judy Blume story to the Medveds' 7 year old daughter (a gifted reader); the Medveds were shocked to find that it included a discussion of menstruation. The parents' reaction was to take the book from the child, tell the child the topic was off-limits until they were older, and then to forbid the child from checking any book out of the library that was written since 1960. Geez! Why not pull the librarian aside and say that you would appreciate more age-appropriate recommendations, rather than a "young adult" level Judy Blume book? Why not have a simple talk with the daughter about menstruation? Would it really corrupt her "innocent" childhood that much? Although the tone can seem "holier than thou", I believe the Medveds are well-intentioned. The problem is that the evidence cited tends to be the absolute "worst case" situations, and the proposed solutions are a bit extreme. (E.g., the Medveds don't own a TV; somewhat ironic given that the only reason anyone has heard of Mr. Medved is his TV work.) I think the book would be more useful if it were "toned down" and the essential message were allowed to come through - that in today's culture, with the sheer volume of messages rebounding that are not appropriate for children, it requires CONSTANT vigilance by parents, who must be willing to step up and exercise guidance and, yes, discipline to insure that their children are able to have a true "childhood".
Rating:
Summary: Add this to your parenting library
Review: Medved follows his book on Hollywood vs America with another look at values; this time with children as the focus. Highly recommended. After recoiling to having to hear the "f" word in the first 4-5 scenes in Titanic, I was thrilled to know Medved was noticing the same thing: an onslaught of images that are antithetical and hostile to my values as a parent. You didn't notice those scenes in Titanic? Exactly the point. Many such attacks (is there any other word?) are getting under our radar. Medved explores how our responsibility as parents can be fortified, and the well-being and development of our kids can be enhanced. This is not a gloomy book with nothing but a litany of examples from our "sick society." That would be too easy, you need go no further than the White House! Medved loves popular culture, teachers, and parents. You will find yourself inspired to take up the leadership role you may have let slip in your hurry to get your career on track, or to make sure your kids got some "head start." This is a book that will leave you exhuberant, if wary of the forces that would love to fill any moral vacuum you leave in your child's heart. Bill Eberwein
Rating:
Summary: Save your children!
Review: Michael and Diane Medved are two extraordinary individuals who have blessed us with their insight into how children should be raised. Not having a TV blaring in the background at all hours of the day must be a true blessing for their children. Having a mother and father to truly love them and shelter them from the evils in this world is to me the best gift they could give them. I can say I look forward to listening to Michael Medved on his talk show as often as I can. Occasionally we are also blessed with the voice of his wife. He has also saved me from many an unsavory movie. I do have a list of his favorites tucked away and maybe when I am not so entertained listening to him, I might have time to watch a few.
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