The Disappearance of Childhood: Neil Postman’s Perspective

Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Karl Thompson

Is childhood disappearing? Sociologist and media theorist Neil Postman certainly thought so. In his influential 1994 book The Disappearance of Childhood, Postman argued that the distinctions between childhood and adulthood are breaking down. This blog post explores his theory in depth, looks at the evidence for and against it, and considers whether childhood remains a meaningful, distinct stage in today’s society.

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What Is the Disappearance of Childhood?

The phrase “disappearance of childhood” refers to the idea that childhood is no longer a distinct stage of life. Where once children were protected from adult knowledge and responsibilities, today they are exposed to the adult world earlier than ever.

Sociologists who support this view argue that the boundaries between children and adults are eroding. Children now have access to information, experiences, and technologies once reserved only for adults, undermining the idea of childhood as a time of innocence and dependence.

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Neil Postman and the Disappearance of Childhood

Neil Postman’s central argument is that the rise of television and electronic media is responsible for the disappearance of childhood. In the past, childhood was created and maintained by a boundary of literacy. Adult knowledge was transmitted through books, which required years of reading education. As a result, children were gradually introduced to adult ideas in a structured way.

Television changed everything. Postman argued that because TV is a visual medium that requires no reading ability, it exposes children to the adult world much earlier. Violence, sexuality, crime, and other mature themes become accessible to everyone, regardless of age.

He believed that the erosion of this boundary led to children taking on adult roles and adopting adult attitudes far too early. The result? The disappearance of childhood.

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Controlled by Parents or Exposed by Media?

While Postman focuses on media as the driving force, others point to a different trend: that children today are increasingly controlled by parents. Anxiety and parenting now go hand in hand, with overprotective parenting styles limiting children’s independence.

This seems contradictory to Postman’s view, but both perspectives can co-exist. On one hand, children are exposed to adult knowledge through media. On the other, they are physically and socially constrained in real-world environments. This creates a paradox: children are treated like adults in what they see and know, but not in what they are allowed to do.

There is an argument that childhood as we know it is disappearing with the the distinction between adulthood and childhood narrowing. Neil Postman (1994) argued that childhood is ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’.

As supporting evidence Postman looked at the trend towards giving children the same rights as adults, the growing similarity of adult and children’s clothing and even cases of children committing ‘adult crimes’ such as murder and rape.

The disappearance of childhood: supporting evidence

Some examples which may support the view that the boundary between adulthood and childhood are disappearing include:

• Children now spend a lot more time online without parental supervision. This means they are more exposed to adult themes at a younger age. Sue Palmer’s work on Toxic Childhood generally supports this.
• The ‘Learner Voice’ in education. There is more of an expectation that adult teachers will listen to their students and consider their needs. Children are even being used on interview panels for new teachers in some schools.
• Children have the same rights as adults (The UN’s rights of the child)
• The growth of ‘Kidults’ means adults becoming more like children. One aspect of this is younger adults spending longer living with their parents.

The Workout Kid

The Work-out Kid is one example which suggests childhood may be disappearing…

Criticisms of the theory that childhood is disappearing

Jenks (2005) suggests that while there are increased concerns among parents about the impacts technologies such as the internet are having on children, this hasn’t resulted in the disappearance of childhood as such.

Rather, such technological changes have led to parents thinking children and childhood need to be more protected that ever – as evidenced in the increase Paranoid Parenting and social policies surrounding safeguarding.

Most of the evidence supporting the March of Progress View of Childhood criticises the idea that childhood is disappearing.

The legal age of marriage was recently raised from 16 to 18, which moves the boundary of adulthood later.

Signposting/ Related Posts

Interested in the idea that media is eroding childhood’s boundaries? Head to my Childhood Sociology hub for a complete walkthrough of A-Level Families and Households topics—such as toxic childhood, child-centred families, and historical change

This post has been written primarily for students of A-level sociology. The childhood topic is part of the families and households module. You might also like the related posts below….

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Sources:

Jenks (2005) Childhood.

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