How different is the lifestyle of children today from that 500 years ago? To what extent has the parent-child dynamic altered? Hugh Cunnigham investigates the diverse experiences of Western children throughout the centuries.

• A classic definitive work by a major scholar, this book is a market leader in its field
• Illustrations in a new plate section will bring the text alive for readers
• Tells a clear engaging story rather than just being a dull sequence of thematic chapters
• Integration of discussion of cruelty to children, delinquency and crime makes the book extremely topical ¿ in fact the book has been updated throughout to take account of current affairs and the entirely rewritten last chapter on the 20th century includes analysis of  the Bulger and Soham cases, and  the impact of the media and consumption
• New treatment of the impact of World War Two on children includes Anne Franks
• Social and cultural history has increased in popularity over the decade since the last edition was published