{"product_id":"the-invention-of-childhood","title":"The Invention of Childhood","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \"The Invention of Childhood\"  Hugh Cunningham presents a complete chronological history of childhood in Britain over the last 1000 years. Drawing extensively on primary sources  such as diaries  letters and interviews  he explores a hidden  domestic history of family secrets and personal stories that is often overlooked by historians. Factors such as gender and social class have certainly shaped the lives of children down the ages  but so too have major historical events  such as military conflicts  the Reformation  the rise of the British Empire and the Industrial Revolution. Notions about when childhood starts and ends  and how it differs from adulthood  have changed considerably over the centuries  and these inventions and reinventions of childhood have had a profound effect on the lives of young people. Childhood wasnt always regarded as a distinct stage in life  and the prolonged childhood we enjoy in Britain today was  until relatively recently  a luxury few could afford. This fascinating study highlights the many ways the lives of children in the past differed from those of youngsters today  but also looks at the often surprising similarities between modern childhood and the experience of previous generations. \"The Invention of Childhood\" accompanies a major BBC Radio 4 series presented by the respected childrens writer and former Childrens Laureate  Michael Morpurgo. \"The Voices of Children\"  a new play by Michael Morpurgo written especially for inclusion in this volume  allows the children of the past to speak to us across the years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44948593377333,"sku":"ByrdShop_0563493909","price":45.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780563493907.jpg?v=1770052761","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-invention-of-childhood","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}