New Books in Sociology
Keith J. Hayward, "Infantilised: How Our Culture Killed Adulthood" (Constable & Robinson, 2025)
Apr 12, 2025
Keith Hayward, Professor of Criminology at Copenhagen University, dives into the curious phenomenon of infantilization in contemporary culture. He discusses how modern society blurs the lines of adulthood, with adults increasingly adopting childish behaviors while youth tackle adult challenges early. Hayward critiques the impact of political 'infantocrats' and the evolution of academic standards that prioritize comfort over rigor. He offers humorous anecdotes and thoughtful suggestions for navigating this infantilized landscape, advocating for a positive re-evaluation of adulthood.
41:15
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast highlights how modern culture's infantilization manifests through marketing and education, blurring the lines between childhood and adulthood.
- Keith Hayward critiques educational institutions for perpetuating infantilization by prioritizing accommodating student preferences over fostering intellectual rigor.
Deep dives
The Erosion of Adulthood
The notion that modern culture has led to the decline of traditional adulthood is explored, highlighting how people are acting younger for longer. Keith Hayward argues that advertisers began treating adult matters in a childlike manner more than a decade ago, irritating him initially but subsequently revealing a pervasive trend. He notes that this infantilization is not only seen in marketing but also in educational settings where students seem less equipped for adult responsibilities. The continued bombardment of youthful imagery suggests that adulthood is now on life support, eroding clear distinctions between childhood and adult stages of life.
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