Praise for the first edition: 'Those seeking a primer on the field...might well begin here' - "H-Childhood, H-Net Reviews". 'a succinct and deft survey...Undoubtedly this book will be a godsend to teachers...In the assured hands of Stearns, with his readily accessible style, readers will come away much better informed...' - "Social History of Medicine". 'Stearns' treatment is characteristically learned, conceptually sleek, and sensitive to societal and temporal variation' - "Journal of Social History". 'an engaging, well-written, and thoughtful resource for readers who seek a solid understanding of the subject' - "History of Education Quarterly". Childhood exists in all societies, though there is huge variation in the way it is socially constructed across time and place. Studying childhood historically greatly advances our understanding of what childhood is about and a world history focus permits some of the broadest questions to be asked. This new edition of "Childhood in World History" has been completely updated, including: an expanded discussion of the theory and methodology involved in a global history of childhood; expanded coverage of childhood in Africa and South Asia; extra material on religious change, including more discussion of Judaism and Islam; new material on the role of the state; and, a brand new comparative chapter on happiness and childhood. Now fully up to date, this second edition of "Childhood in World History" highlights the gains but also the divisions and losses for children across the millennia.