I discussed the possibility of a contribution to the Themes in World History series on childhood several years ago, but the challenge initially loomed large. The subject is huge, and there remain big gaps in available historical knowledge. The importance of childhood as part of the human experience, and therefore of history, made it impossible, however, to abandon the goal. I owe huge debts to many scholars, most of whom I don’t know personally, for the pioneering work that ultimately made this book possible. In terms of people I do know, Bruce Mazlish, Raymond Grew, Ben Carton, Paula Fass, and Wolf Schaefer, and the work they have encouraged on childhood and globalization, have contributed very directly; I also thank the several other historians and anthropologists who participated in a related conference here at George Mason University. Two readers, Paula Fass and Colin Heywood, provided very helpful suggestions. Joan Fragaszy and Earnie Porta generated extensive research assistance, and their efforts were both diligent and imaginative. Debbie Williams as usual went beyond the call of duty in preparing the manuscript. My thanks also to Vicky Peters, of Routledge, who has done so much for this book and for the Routledge series.
I had a deep desire for children of my own at least as early as high school (though I didn’t start the process immediately). I have never been disappointed in the experience, so I thank my four children for what they have contributed to my life and, in various ways, to this book; and a new grandson reminds me again of how interesting all the stages of childhood can be.