Children seem to be growing up more quickly than ever before. Almost daily we hear astonishing examples of young people flying airplanes, running companies, or committing adult crimes. In this shrewd and compelling book, scholar and journalist Kay S. Hymowitz offers a startling explanation for today's sophisticated youngsters. For generations, unique American ideas of childrearing have created adults who both think independently and feel accountable to others. But the way we raise our children has been changing. During the 20th-century, experts began telling us youngsters have little need for instruction or supervision-in fact, children really are small adults who already know what is best for themselves. Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and an affiliate scholar at the Institute for American Values, Kay S. Hymowitz reveals why so many of our children continue to act childishly when they grow up. Ruth Ann Phimister's thoughtful narration challenges us to begin nurturing our young people or face the loss of our democratic society.