The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups
Hurt Kids Treat Them Like: The Collapse of Parenting is Leonard Sax’s parenting guide arguing that children benefit when parents maintain authority and set boundaries. The revised edition offers guidance on screen time, family priorities, humility and perspective, with an emphasis on supporting children amid social and cultural pressures.
At a glance
- The author connects parental authority with children’s self-control and their reliance on peers and social media for direction.
- The revised edition is described as adding stories, evidence and recommendations.
- Examples of the proposed approach include limiting screen time and prioritizing family life.
Reference price: $25.99
Price checked: Nov 13, 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers practical parenting themes, including screen boundaries and family priorities.
- The revised edition is presented as updated with new stories, evidence and recommendations.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Basic Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | Oct. 1 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1541604539 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1541604537 |
| Weight listed | 344 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.84 x 2.46 x 20.96 cm |
What to know before buying
- The book advances Leonard Sax’s argument that reduced parental authority contributes to difficulties among young people. Treat that as the author’s perspective rather than an independently established conclusion.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Parents looking for a book about parental authority, boundaries and family priorities.
- Readers interested in guidance on screen time, humility and perspective in family life.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a neutral overview of competing parenting approaches or a specialized clinical manual. The supplied description presents an argument and general guidance.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
81% 81% - 4 stars
14% 14% - 3 stars
3% 3% - 2 stars
1% 1% - 1 star
1% 1%
Aggregate customer ratings are strongly positive overall, with most ratings in the top category. This supports a cautiously favourable impression of reader reception, but the supplied information contains no written feedback, so it does not show what readers praised or criticized or whether the book’s arguments worked for particular families.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Collapse of Parenting about?
Leonard Sax argues that parents should reassert authority and offers guidance on topics including screen time, family priorities, humility and perspective.
Is this a revised edition?
Yes. The listing describes this edition as completely revised and updated with new stories, evidence and recommendations.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 384 pages.
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