Is modern culture ruining childhood? Modernity is one of the most important periods in the intellectual history of humanity. Philosophers and historians say it started somewhere in the mid-19th century. Modernity is based on the project of “modernization” (rationalization and scientification of the world in order to make it a better place to live). This project was born in the midst of Western civilization and was considered to go in the only direction - towards progress. This is why the Europeans and Americans believed that the whole world should align them. Many children from different countries gained access to basic education and began spending a large part of their time in schools or other educational institutions. It is inevitable to fail to consider and analyze how modern models of education and culture (including popular culture) influence childhood. This topic is the subject of much discussion these days, but things are changing. First of all, in order to understand what has happened with childhood today, I would like to see some historical examples. In the 1920s, a new type of state was created. It was the USSR, founded on the land of the former Russian Empire. It was the first “communist” state that defined itself as a completely new historical type of society and a completely new type of human being (Mickenberg, p. 104). Soviet ideology was based on the idea that behavior was formed primarily under the influence of the environment. This is why in the USSR, the government created powerful propaganda in different areas, particularly education. Schools were seen as storehouses, used to put necessary information into children's heads. In USSR, people were heavily controlled by the state... middle of paper ......o centuries. Thanks to the development of health care and education, many people have had the chance to live a normal childhood without suffering from illness, poverty and a poor social environment. But it was not as easy as it seems at first glance. The traditional family has changed, giving way to institutions such as preschool and school. On the one hand, for the kids, it wasn't so bad. Professional teachers provided a far better education than anyone could receive at home. But on the other hand, children were deprived of the share of communication with their parents, especially on an emotional level. Furthermore, the other problem is the commercialization of youth in the advertising and entertainment market. Of course, this process has positive and negative sides, but most of all they cause the disappearance of childhood as an important stage of life..