Henry Jenkins

Henry Jenkins, Provost Professor at USC, explores the evolution of permissive parenting in postwar America. He discusses figures like Dr. Spock and Margaret Mead whose ideas shaped parenting norms, alongside pop culture icons like Dennis the Menace. Through the lens of childhood media, Jenkins examines how narratives around boyhood influenced parenting philosophies. He also critiques patriarchal narratives and highlights how race plays a role in media representations of children, showcasing the complex dynamics of identity and rights in parenting.

Henry Jenkins and Andrew McLuhan, director of The McLuhan Institute and grandson of philosopher Marshall McLuhan, discuss the impact of media on identity in a captivating conversation. They explore topics such as the rapid change of media assaulting our sense of self, the role of social media in raising essential issues about race and gender, the violence associated with language surrounding identity, and the intimate nature of podcasts compared to radio.