Children and Youth in a New Nation

This compelling historical work uncovers the often-overlooked lives of children and youth during America's formative decades, tracing how young people both participated in and were shaped by the Revolution's aftermath. Moving beyond political narratives, the book examines how competing visions of childhood emerged across different religious and ethnic groups, while exploring the very real experiences of young Americans navigating a society in flux. The research delves into how children learned about the new nation's values and the complex ways they contributed to building American identity during this turbulent period.

What makes this study particularly valuable is its focus on the tension between idealized childhoods and the gritty realities of youth experience in early America. The book stands out for its nuanced exploration of how educators and religious leaders struggled to shape the next generation of citizens, revealing the foundations of modern American attitudes toward childhood. Readers interested in social history, education, and the lived experience of ordinary people during revolutionary times will find this perspective both enlightening and thought-provoking, offering a fresh lens through which to understand nation-building from the ground up.