---
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title: "The Death of the Grown-Up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization"
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# The Death of the Grown-Up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization

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## Description

A provocative look at the rise of youth culture, the worship of perpetual adolescence, and the sorry spectacle of adults shirking the responsibilities of maturity. Firebrand conservative columnist Diana West looks at the mess America is in and wonders "Where did all the grown-ups go?" Diana West sees a US filled with middle-age guys playing air guitar and thinks "No wonder we can't stop Islamic terrorism." She sees a landscape littered with Baby Britneys, Moms Who Mosh, and Dads too "young" to call themselves "mister" and wonders "Is there a single adult left anywhere?" But, the grown-ups are all gone. The disease that killed them was incubated in the sixties to a rock-and-roll score, took hold in the seventies with the help of multicultralism and left us with a nation of eternal adolescents who can't decide between "good" and "bad", a generation who can't say "no". With insightful wit, Diana West takes readers on an odyssey through culture and politics, from the rise of rock ‘n' roll to the rise of multiculturalism, from the loss of identity to the discovery of "diversity," from the emasculation of the heroic ideal to the "PC"-ing of "Mary Poppins," all the while building a compelling case against the childishness that is subverting the struggle against jihadist Islam in a mixed-up, post-9/11 world. From the inability to nix a sixteen year-old's request for Marilyn Manson concert tickets to offering adolescents parentally-funded motel rooms on prom night to rationalizing murderous acts of Islamic suicide bombers with platitudes of cultural equivalence, West sees us on a slippery slope that's lead to a time when America has forgotten its place in the world. The result of such indecisiveness is, ultimately, the end of Western civilization as we know it. Diana West serves up a provocative critique of our dangerously indecisive world leavened with humor and shot through with insight.

Review: Not for the Faint of Heart - This book is subtitled, "How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization." In her book, Ms. West describes the situation facing Western Civilization as a generation of young people refuses to grow up and assume the role of adults. We are seeing in our own nation the results of this refusal to assume adult responsibilities. Everywhere one looks we see physical adults acting like children and refusing to accept adult responsibilities. The book is filled with pages illustrating examples of this failure. It is not an easy read but it is a valuable read if you have any interest in the future of the United States of America or, on a more global scale, Western Civilization itself. Ms. West's book is also a sobering read; she points out in very clear terms the problems our society faces today. As our society goes, so go the lives of the members of that society. Our society and we as members of that society are facing one of the greatest threats in the history of Western Civilization. One of the most dangerous aspects of that threat is our refusal to even identify the threat or acknowledge that it exists. We appear to think that if we deny that the threat is real, it may even cease to be a threat. That is truly delusional. The threat is Islam and the Quran (and yes, I do have a copy of the Quran and have read many portions of it, but mostly use it as a reference). Islam has a clear agenda which includes the United States. Islam's goal is the conversion of all peoples and nations to a global caliphate under Sharia law. If you do not understand the implications of an Islamic society under Sharia law, you better start doing your homework; this book is an excellent place to start. The book starts well but then bogs down a little with too many illustrations of adolescent misbehavior. Don't give up on it as it really gets interesting again later on in the book. In the chapter called "The Real Culture War," page 148, and from that point on it is a captivating page turner. In a sense, it is upsetting to read; if you are faint of heart and prefer denial it would probably be better if you passed on this book. The book points out how a moral vacuum in the West has left an opening for a zealous Islam to step in and fill that void. It is interesting that as Western Civilization has turned its collective backs on Christianity, that it has unwittingly abandoned its best defense against Islam. By abandoning the virtues and moral certainties of Christianity for the nebulous uncertainties of multiculturalism and secular humanism; Western Civilization has left the gates wide open for the entrance of Islam. I believe that this book has very important information and astute insights for those who prefer to be informed. I'm very glad I read it.
Review: More truth here than most people can stand - This is a book every American should read, but it is really two different books. The first book is about the sexualization of American youth culture, and thence of all popular American culture. The second book is about multiculturalism, and how it renders us completely defenseless in the face of a newly resurgent, culturally assertive and confident Islam. Both books are good, even if I'm not sure they belong under one cover. The first book complains about the juvenalization of the mainstream culture, but I disagree with the author's thesis. The issue here is not juvenalization, but paganization and sexualization. A 1950s conception of a "grown-up" included notions of probity, sexual restraint, and circumspection that were essentially Christian in origin but had become a fixed part of the larger culture and hence were accepted by believer and non-believer alike. The Sexual Revolution overthrew the 1950s norms of grown-up behavior and replaced them with pagan ones. Diana West makes much of the mainstreaming of rock music, previously a fringe, juvenile form. Why is rock music so bad? Because rock music is far more immediately and crudely sexual than previous forms of American popular music, such as the standards, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway show tunes, or even Jazz (despite the fact that Jazz had its roots in the same segregated black nightclub scene that produced rock 'n roll). But why is it a problem for grown-up society to marinate in a crudely sexual sound track? The answer (which West never articulates) is that it is a problem for Christians who are trying to maintain Christian standards of sexual conduct. It is not a problem for pagans, nor for the post-Sexual Revolution pagan culture and conception of what it means to be a "grown-up." The second book is about Islam, and the seeming inability or refusal of Western governing elites to speak truthfully about Islam, its gross incompatibility with Western freedoms, values, and modes of self-governance, and its utter un-reformability. West attributes this failure to speak truth about Islam to multiculturalism, and she's right. But what does this have to do with adulthood or being a "grown-up"? I don't know. Multiculturalism is a utopian ideology; it holds that as long as we will suspend our powers of judgment, discernment, discrimination, etc., and not say critical things about other cultures, religions, or the Other generally, nor value our own religion or cultural patrimony, then we will all live peace and harmony--wars, hatred, and human conflict will come to an end. I suppose that multiculturalism is "childish," but no more so than any other utopian ideology, including Nazism, communism, socialism, fascism, etc. And Diana West fails to mention the great safeguard against utopian ideology of all species: A Christian worldview that understands that human nature is fallen and human societies are simply not perfectible. No utopian ideology can succeed; therefore, none is worth the sacrifice of freedom and human dignity, and concentration of arbitrary power in the government, that is necessary to try to implement it. Multiculturalism cannot succeed, and hence is not worth the constant, demeaning lies necessary to uphold it. The amount of truth that Diana West speaks about Islam is both bracing and enormously refreshing. One of my favorite columnists is Mark Steyn, who is not afraid to speak truth about Islam, but even Steyn doesn't dare say some of the things Diana West says. She's in rarefied air insofar as being willing to tell unwanted truths about Islam. She is a much needed corrective to the multi-culti lies about Islam that we hear from the media and government, lies that have become so degrading, insulting and demeaning. Even if you don't care about pop culture, you should still buy this book and read the last two chapters, about how multiculturalism render us defenseless against Islam. A final Note: Shame on St. Martin's Press for publishing this book in a microscopic typeface!! If you're going to read this book, I recommend buying the kindle version, with adjustable font. Because, apparently out of desire to save money on paper, St. Martin's published the whole book in teeny-tiny, footnote-sized font, that one has to use a magnifying glass to read comfortably.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,016,352 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #795 in Sociology of Marriage & Family (Books) #1,073 in Censorship & Politics #1,146 in National & International Security (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 244 Reviews |

## Images

![The Death of the Grown-Up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SBeNl3BjL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not for the Faint of Heart
*by D***R on February 20, 2008*

This book is subtitled, "How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization." In her book, Ms. West describes the situation facing Western Civilization as a generation of young people refuses to grow up and assume the role of adults. We are seeing in our own nation the results of this refusal to assume adult responsibilities. Everywhere one looks we see physical adults acting like children and refusing to accept adult responsibilities. The book is filled with pages illustrating examples of this failure. It is not an easy read but it is a valuable read if you have any interest in the future of the United States of America or, on a more global scale, Western Civilization itself. Ms. West's book is also a sobering read; she points out in very clear terms the problems our society faces today. As our society goes, so go the lives of the members of that society. Our society and we as members of that society are facing one of the greatest threats in the history of Western Civilization. One of the most dangerous aspects of that threat is our refusal to even identify the threat or acknowledge that it exists. We appear to think that if we deny that the threat is real, it may even cease to be a threat. That is truly delusional. The threat is Islam and the Quran (and yes, I do have a copy of the Quran and have read many portions of it, but mostly use it as a reference). Islam has a clear agenda which includes the United States. Islam's goal is the conversion of all peoples and nations to a global caliphate under Sharia law. If you do not understand the implications of an Islamic society under Sharia law, you better start doing your homework; this book is an excellent place to start. The book starts well but then bogs down a little with too many illustrations of adolescent misbehavior. Don't give up on it as it really gets interesting again later on in the book. In the chapter called "The Real Culture War," page 148, and from that point on it is a captivating page turner. In a sense, it is upsetting to read; if you are faint of heart and prefer denial it would probably be better if you passed on this book. The book points out how a moral vacuum in the West has left an opening for a zealous Islam to step in and fill that void. It is interesting that as Western Civilization has turned its collective backs on Christianity, that it has unwittingly abandoned its best defense against Islam. By abandoning the virtues and moral certainties of Christianity for the nebulous uncertainties of multiculturalism and secular humanism; Western Civilization has left the gates wide open for the entrance of Islam. I believe that this book has very important information and astute insights for those who prefer to be informed. I'm very glad I read it.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More truth here than most people can stand
*by D***D on November 3, 2014*

This is a book every American should read, but it is really two different books. The first book is about the sexualization of American youth culture, and thence of all popular American culture. The second book is about multiculturalism, and how it renders us completely defenseless in the face of a newly resurgent, culturally assertive and confident Islam. Both books are good, even if I'm not sure they belong under one cover. The first book complains about the juvenalization of the mainstream culture, but I disagree with the author's thesis. The issue here is not juvenalization, but paganization and sexualization. A 1950s conception of a "grown-up" included notions of probity, sexual restraint, and circumspection that were essentially Christian in origin but had become a fixed part of the larger culture and hence were accepted by believer and non-believer alike. The Sexual Revolution overthrew the 1950s norms of grown-up behavior and replaced them with pagan ones. Diana West makes much of the mainstreaming of rock music, previously a fringe, juvenile form. Why is rock music so bad? Because rock music is far more immediately and crudely sexual than previous forms of American popular music, such as the standards, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway show tunes, or even Jazz (despite the fact that Jazz had its roots in the same segregated black nightclub scene that produced rock 'n roll). But why is it a problem for grown-up society to marinate in a crudely sexual sound track? The answer (which West never articulates) is that it is a problem for Christians who are trying to maintain Christian standards of sexual conduct. It is not a problem for pagans, nor for the post-Sexual Revolution pagan culture and conception of what it means to be a "grown-up." The second book is about Islam, and the seeming inability or refusal of Western governing elites to speak truthfully about Islam, its gross incompatibility with Western freedoms, values, and modes of self-governance, and its utter un-reformability. West attributes this failure to speak truth about Islam to multiculturalism, and she's right. But what does this have to do with adulthood or being a "grown-up"? I don't know. Multiculturalism is a utopian ideology; it holds that as long as we will suspend our powers of judgment, discernment, discrimination, etc., and not say critical things about other cultures, religions, or the Other generally, nor value our own religion or cultural patrimony, then we will all live peace and harmony--wars, hatred, and human conflict will come to an end. I suppose that multiculturalism is "childish," but no more so than any other utopian ideology, including Nazism, communism, socialism, fascism, etc. And Diana West fails to mention the great safeguard against utopian ideology of all species: A Christian worldview that understands that human nature is fallen and human societies are simply not perfectible. No utopian ideology can succeed; therefore, none is worth the sacrifice of freedom and human dignity, and concentration of arbitrary power in the government, that is necessary to try to implement it. Multiculturalism cannot succeed, and hence is not worth the constant, demeaning lies necessary to uphold it. The amount of truth that Diana West speaks about Islam is both bracing and enormously refreshing. One of my favorite columnists is Mark Steyn, who is not afraid to speak truth about Islam, but even Steyn doesn't dare say some of the things Diana West says. She's in rarefied air insofar as being willing to tell unwanted truths about Islam. She is a much needed corrective to the multi-culti lies about Islam that we hear from the media and government, lies that have become so degrading, insulting and demeaning. Even if you don't care about pop culture, you should still buy this book and read the last two chapters, about how multiculturalism render us defenseless against Islam. A final Note: Shame on St. Martin's Press for publishing this book in a microscopic typeface!! If you're going to read this book, I recommend buying the kindle version, with adjustable font. Because, apparently out of desire to save money on paper, St. Martin's published the whole book in teeny-tiny, footnote-sized font, that one has to use a magnifying glass to read comfortably.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An insightful look at Western cultural disintegration.
*by J***I on October 16, 2007*

Diana West's book deserves far greater attention than it is currently receiving. She manages to analyze several seemingly disparate cultural trends including Islamic appeasement, the devolution of our music, lack of civilizational pride and the deceits of political correctness and multiculturalism discovering the common denominator to be the infantilizing influence of the post WWII emphasis on youth with the resultant elevation of "youth" to its current cult like status. But it is much much more than that. Diana West provides the reader with that most coveted of reading experiences, the "ah-ha" moment whereby the reader is exposed to depths of insight and analysis that lead him to observations that he "felt" or "knew to be true" but left to his own devices might never have fully articulated. She's that good. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me saying that she's a bit of an anachronism in that she brings to bear pre-modern sensibilities that enable her to so successfully illuminate our current condition. Diana West is a very bright and insightful author whose refreshing look at our culture and its decent into immaturity and callowness is long overdue. She tells us that we need to stop being afraid of being an adult, of standing for something other than self-indulgence. She castigates multiculturalism as as a childish refusal to make moral and ethical distinctions between right and wrong, good and bad. We need to stop being afraid to face the truth and speak openly about it. Instead we succumb to the childishness of relativism and nihilism rather than face the more cumbersome questions of adulthood. According to West, many things changed as a result of the burgeoning wealth following the Second World War: "When you talk about the postwar period, the vast new affluence is a big factor in reorienting the culture to adolescent desire. You see a shift in cultural authority going to the young. Instead of kids who might take a job to be able to help with household expenses, all of a sudden that pocket money was going into the manufacture of a massive new culture. That conferred such importance to a period of adolescence that had never been there before." As a result of this elevation of the youth cult the adult authority was undermined and eventually adults abdicated their age old responsibilities. "Where sex is more available, there are no longer the same incentives building toward married life, which once was a big motivation toward the maturing process." We have become cut off from the past by disparaging everything old as outmoded. As Mark Steyn too has pointed out, the welfare society has further contributed to the infantilization of our citizens. Diana West's critique of our modern world is broadly based encompassing, in fact emphasizing, the extent to which contemporary music degrades our sexuality and undermines our capacity for mature monogamous relationships. Many who read this book, particularly those under 40 may be incapable of understanding much of what West writes so immersed have they been in the polluted cultural mainstream. West says, "It's not for nothing that Plato taught us to "mark the music" to understand and individual or his society. . . . . If the American popular song could idealize romantic love to a fault, rock 'n' roll degrades physical couplings to new lows - destroying not just the language of love and romance, but also the meaning of love and romance. And, I would sadly add, our capacity to experience both. . . .There are salient differences between a civilization that sings of romantic love and marriage ("Have You Met Miss Jones?"), and a civilization that sings of lust and one-night stands ("I Can't Get No Satisfaction")." One other thing: Go to Diana West's web site and look over her columns. They are very very good. I've just recently discovered her since reading this book and her columns are every bit as good. This is an excellent read which I highly recommend.

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