The Collapse of Parenting

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

By: Leonard Sax

Narrated by: Leonard Sax

In this New York Times bestseller, one of America’s premier physicians offers a must-listen account of the new challenges facing parents today and a program for how we can better prepare our children to navigate the obstacles they face

In The Collapse of Parenting, internationally acclaimed author Leonard Sax argues that rising levels of obesity, depression, and anxiety among young people can be traced to parents abdicating their authority. The result is children who have no standard of right and wrong, who lack discipline, and who look to their peers and the Internet for direction. Sax shows how parents must reassert their authority - by limiting time with screens, by encouraging better habits at the dinner table, and by teaching humility and perspective - to renew their relationships with their children. Drawing on nearly 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 complicated world.

©2015 Leonard Sax (P)2024 Basic Books

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

"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

"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

Excellent

Arguably the best parenting book I’ve read. It is scientific and wise. Definitely will help me grow as a parent.

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!

Spend time with your kids

The music industry and the stats & constant towards our kids. Peer pressure and it’s impact on kids & familes

Much more than I expected

Amazing content, insight, and research. Thank you so much, Dr. Sax! My favorite of your books, yet; and so encouraging.

Parents BUY THIS BOOK

This book hits it right where it counts. As a 62 year old adult male raised by a struggling single mom who raised me and my brother to respect their “elders” and stay out of trouble, and when we did get in trouble we had hell to pay. This book is a must read for every soul on the planet.

Very useful Insights on Modern Parenting

It provided me with new perspectives on modern parenting issues, elaborating on their root causes and offering practical solutions. The approach was very down-to-earth.

Highly Recommended

This was an awesome, insightful book! I realized that I couldn’t keep marking the good points because the book was consistently replete with them. As a teacher who has encountered many students and their parents, so many points hit home. I recommend this book to all parents and anyone who wants insight into youth development. Finally, I recommend the audio book. It is read by the author in a wonderful, meaningful way.

Must read!

Perfect book for new parents, seasoned parents, even grandparents! I must read for anyone raising children today!

Extremely Wise!

In many ways, this book simply spotlights the lost common sense with parents. And that's a good thing - he is saying age old advice, tested over time, that works.

Don't get lost in the "modern" parenting style, it's clearly backfiring.

With my two little kids I am aiming for my kids to have a 70s or 80s childhood - and if it's popular I am skeptical of it because it seems like whatever we've been doing lately ... it ain't working!

Parenting Wake-Up Call: Raising Respectful, Resilient Kids

Dr. Leonard Sax’s The Collapse of Parenting is a must-read for every parent navigating today’s cultural landscape. In this insightful and well-researched book, Dr. Sax explores how modern parenting trends have led to a culture of disrespect, weakened family bonds, and an overemphasis on academic achievement at the expense of character development.

One of the most compelling arguments in the book is that long-term success in adulthood isn’t primarily determined by academic performance but by conscientiousness—a trait that includes self-discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. Dr. Sax presents extensive research showing that children who develop these qualities are more likely to thrive in their careers and relationships than those who simply excel in school.

Through real-life examples and practical advice, Dr. Sax challenges parents to reclaim their authority, prioritize family values, and guide their children toward becoming respectful, resilient, and well-rounded individuals. His perspective is both convicting and encouraging, offering a much-needed wake-up call for parents who feel overwhelmed by societal pressures.

This book is an eye-opener and a game-changer. Whether you’re a new parent or have teenagers, The Collapse of Parenting will shift the way you think about raising children in today’s world. I highly recommend it to all parents—it’s a book that could truly make a difference in your family’s future.