As other times might see us -- The dawn of history, and children already a problem -- Athens and Jerusalem: a lifetime of learning -- Rome and the collapse of the trustee family -- Christianity and the reversal of status -- A Dark Age and the revival of family authority -- Civilization begins again -- Renaissance childhood and creativity -- Childhood becomes crucial: the religious reformations -- The nation-state takes up child care -- Children and progress: an early social movement -- The glorification of the child -- The business of entertaining children -- Concern for the child's survival -- The high and low point in the history of childhood -- Growing pains and revolution -- The standardizing of childhood -- The demythologizing of childhood -- The liberation of children -- The identity crisis of our civilization.