The Collapse of Parenting

How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups

By: Leonard Sax

Narrated by: Leonard Sax

"Dr. Leonard Sax's The Collapse of Parenting should be required reading for all parents."―Dr. Nancy Kehoe, author of Wrestling with Our Inner Angels

In The Collapse of Parenting, internationally acclaimed author Leonard Sax argues that rising levels of depression and anxiety among young people can be traced to parents abdicating their authority. The result is children who lack self-control, who look to their peers and to social media for direction. Sax shows how parents can and must reassert their authority—for example by limiting screen time, by prioritizing the family, and by teaching humility and perspective—to renew their relationships with their children.

In this new edition, completely revised and updated with new stories, new evidence, and new recommendations, Dr. Sax provides concrete guidance for parents seeking to help their children fulfill their potential in the midst of a toxic culture. Drawing on more than thirty years of experience as a family physician and psychologist, along with hundreds of interviews with children, parents, and teachers, Sax offers a blueprint parents can use to help their children thrive in an increasingly broken world.

Critic reviews

"[Sax is] sounding some alarms that we'd do well to heed, and for our kids' sakes, I think sooner is better than later."—Chicago Tribune

"Dr. Leonard Sax's The Collapse of Parenting should be required reading for all parents."—Dr. Nancy Kehoe,author of Wrestling with Our Inner Angels

"[Sax's] guidelines are clear and well-supported."—Booklist

"A comprehensive breakdown of where parents have gone awry and how they can get back on track to teach virtue and character to their children."—Kirkus

"The Collapse of Parenting is one of the best books I've ever read on the subject of raising children. It's not written from a religious perspective, but it's chock-full of information every parent should have."—National CatholicRegister

"The Collapse of Parenting may sound like a lone voice in the world of American parenting these days, but it's a desperately needed one.... If you're going to read a single parenting book this year, please make it this one."—Treehugger.com

"If you're going to read one book on parenting this year, make it The Collapse of Parenting by Leonard Sax."—New York Journal of Books

“One of the premier experts on parenting, Dr. Leonard Sax brilliantly articulates the problems parents experience with their children, then gives solutions. If you have time to read only one book this year, read this one.”—Meg Meeker, MD, bestselling author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and Strong Mothers, Strong Sons

"The family unit is in unprecedented decline and under assault from a wide variety of cultural forces. With years of experience and research working directly with parents and children, Dr. Leonard Sax provides an important glimpse into parenting in modern times, where it's gone wrong, and how to fix it. Being a parent has never been more important and Dr. Sax explains how to avoid parenting pitfalls and raise your children well."—Dr. Bill Bennett, former United States Secretary of Education

"Based on years of extensive clinical practice and interviews with students and parents internationally, Sax presents a sobering and alarming picture of the collapse of parenting in this country. But he does not leave the reader without hope; he offers simple, if not easy solutions, giving parents an accessible guide to help them regain their rightful roles."—Dr. Nancy Kehoe, assistant clinical professor of psychology atHarvard Medical School, and author of Wrestling with Our Inner Angels:Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness

A much needed reminder in today’s challenging culture!

Great job Dr. Sax! As a Dad with a 2yr old daughter and another baby on the way, I am very thankful for the work and dedication you put into this book and the lessons it teaches! A much needed reminder in today’s challenging culture! Thank you and God bless!

I wish I read this book before my kids become teens.

A must reading book in this crazy time we live in today with Social media,
And the me,me,me.

Great read for all parents!

Every parent should read this book! Very well written, informative, thought-provoking, and inspiring all at the same time! I highly recommend!

So good

So many good nuggets of information. Keeps me aligned with what I know is true. Being a parent is a gift from God! Cherish it.

Wisdom for All who raise children

I wish every new parent would read this. Excellent book! Parents whose kids have gotten caught up in the crude and disrespectful culture of today need to read this! ASAP