REVIEW

The Story of Childhood

The Story of Childhood

Introduction

In this paper we will analyze and review the introduction of Libby Brooks's “The story of Childhood”. Although this paper is only a review of the Introduction, it will reflect on the story of the children in the chapters in the book, to explain what Brooks means by what she has written in the introduction. If we being adults, do not reference to our past childhood's foggy and maybe romanticized stories, how can we be able to understand the feeling of growing up now?

Can we relate to the children in meaningful terms without misinterpreting them? Has childhood turned into an adult-assumed perspective? Is that true that every adult secretly wishes for an ideal simplicity which is quite unrealistic, and perhaps never existed?

The questions above are presented by Brooks in her book, in which she has attempted to answer these questions. These answers come from nine children of entirely diverse background, with their ages of four to sixteen, and all of them grew up in a Britain afflicted by Anti-Social Behavior Order.

These children have their own grudges with the society, regarding the behaviors, language, food, education, spending habits and sexuality. Brooks have found that these poor fellows might have become the victims of the inappropriate opinions of adults, and we adults do not recognize the behaviors of children of present era.

We look at the example of Laura the fourteen years old girl, who tried to attempt suicide, or we look at the Iraqi boy's opinion about girls, the book narrates the childhood's story from inside. It also uncovers many unusual realities about adulthood, simultaneously.

The nonfiction language of Brooks is friendly, humorous and even shocking at times. Nevertheless, it is a thought provoking reading giving family life experience to the readers.

Context

Brooks pens out the world view of children, who are all remarkable in their very own way, and their opinions are much more out of the ordinary. She writes about the children raising patterns in old times as well in modern days. She discusses the theories of John Wesley and Rousseau. The prior, emphasizes on controlling children so that they might not get spoiled, while the later focuses on leaving the children free to experience and learn and obtain guidance (Mayall 1994, p.35).

She also mentions the theories of Spock and Leach, whose advice to the parents is to follow what their instincts say about their children and enjoy the life with their children (Brooks 2006, p.19).

Discussion

Although this paper is only a review of the Introduction, it have reflected on the story of the children in the chapters in the book, to explain what Brooks means by what she has written in the introduction.

Life was considered to be a gift of heavens to mankind. However, now it is pictured as a cruel trap as and when one enters into the realities and experiences of life. Growing up is considered to be end of fun in life. An average adult would consider it safe to keep the children away from the ...