The Vietnam War in American childhood /
Rhodes, Joel P., 1967-
The Vietnam War in American childhood / Joel P. Rhodes. - 1 online resource (265 pages, 10 unnumbered pages of plates) - Children, youth + war . - Children, youth + war. .
Includes bibliographical references and index
A sort of nebulous sad thing happening forever and ever : childhood socialization to the Vietnam War -- Why couldn't I fight in a nice, simpler war? : comic books and Mad magazine -- Who bombed Santa's workshop? : militarizing play with commercial war toys -- One of the most agonizing years of my life : knowing someone in Vietnam -- Mom tried to make it for us like he wasn't even gone : father separation and reunion -- God bless dad wherever you are : POW/MIA -- How come the flags around town aren't flying at half-mast? : Gold Star children -- Yes, I am My Lai, but My Lai is better than Viet Cong! : Vietnamese adoptees and Amerasians
For American children raised exclusively in wartime -- that is, a Cold War containing monolithic communism turned hot in the jungles of Southeast Asia -- and the first to grow up with televised combat, Vietnam was predominately a mediated experience. Walter Cronkite was the voice of the conflict and grim, nightly statistics the most recognizable feature. In seeing the Vietnam War through the eyes of preadolescent Americans, the book suggests broader developmental implications from being socialized to the political and ethical ambiguity of Vietnam. Although youth during World War II retained with clarity into adulthood many of the proscriptive patriotic messages about U.S. rightness, why-we-fight, heroism, or sacrifice they were indoctrinated with during the war years, conversely, Vietnam tended to breed childhood ambivalence, but not necessarily of the hawk and dove kind. This unique perspective on Vietnam continues to complicate adult notions of militarism and warfare, while generally lowering expectations of American leadership and the presidency
9780820356129 (electronic book) 0820356123 (electronic book) (paperback) (hardcover)
22573/ctvfz58mp JSTOR
Since 1900
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Children.
Children and war--History--United States--20th century.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Social aspects--United States.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Influence.
Children--Social conditions--United States--20th century.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Enfants.
Enfants et guerre--Histoire--États-Unis--20e siècle.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Aspect social--États-Unis.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Influence.
Enfants--Conditions sociales--États-Unis--20e siècle.
SOCIAL SCIENCE--Children's Studies.
Children.
Children and war.
Children--Social conditions.
Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.)
Social aspects.
Social conditions.
United States--Social conditions--1945-
États-Unis--Conditions sociales--1945-
United States.
Electronic books.
Electronic books.
History.
DS559.8.C53
959.704/31
The Vietnam War in American childhood / Joel P. Rhodes. - 1 online resource (265 pages, 10 unnumbered pages of plates) - Children, youth + war . - Children, youth + war. .
Includes bibliographical references and index
A sort of nebulous sad thing happening forever and ever : childhood socialization to the Vietnam War -- Why couldn't I fight in a nice, simpler war? : comic books and Mad magazine -- Who bombed Santa's workshop? : militarizing play with commercial war toys -- One of the most agonizing years of my life : knowing someone in Vietnam -- Mom tried to make it for us like he wasn't even gone : father separation and reunion -- God bless dad wherever you are : POW/MIA -- How come the flags around town aren't flying at half-mast? : Gold Star children -- Yes, I am My Lai, but My Lai is better than Viet Cong! : Vietnamese adoptees and Amerasians
For American children raised exclusively in wartime -- that is, a Cold War containing monolithic communism turned hot in the jungles of Southeast Asia -- and the first to grow up with televised combat, Vietnam was predominately a mediated experience. Walter Cronkite was the voice of the conflict and grim, nightly statistics the most recognizable feature. In seeing the Vietnam War through the eyes of preadolescent Americans, the book suggests broader developmental implications from being socialized to the political and ethical ambiguity of Vietnam. Although youth during World War II retained with clarity into adulthood many of the proscriptive patriotic messages about U.S. rightness, why-we-fight, heroism, or sacrifice they were indoctrinated with during the war years, conversely, Vietnam tended to breed childhood ambivalence, but not necessarily of the hawk and dove kind. This unique perspective on Vietnam continues to complicate adult notions of militarism and warfare, while generally lowering expectations of American leadership and the presidency
9780820356129 (electronic book) 0820356123 (electronic book) (paperback) (hardcover)
22573/ctvfz58mp JSTOR
Since 1900
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Children.
Children and war--History--United States--20th century.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Social aspects--United States.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Influence.
Children--Social conditions--United States--20th century.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Enfants.
Enfants et guerre--Histoire--États-Unis--20e siècle.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Aspect social--États-Unis.
Guerre du Viêt-nam, 1961-1975--Influence.
Enfants--Conditions sociales--États-Unis--20e siècle.
SOCIAL SCIENCE--Children's Studies.
Children.
Children and war.
Children--Social conditions.
Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.)
Social aspects.
Social conditions.
United States--Social conditions--1945-
États-Unis--Conditions sociales--1945-
United States.
Electronic books.
Electronic books.
History.
DS559.8.C53
959.704/31