Because I Said So: Why society is childist and how breaking the cycle of discrimination towards children can change the world

This timely book by bestselling author Sarah Ockwell-Smith raises awareness of "childism"—the unconscious discrimination against children—and serves as an urgent call to action for a more empathetic society. While awareness of social injustice is growing, children often remain a group whose needs and feelings are dismissed under the guise of traditional discipline. By blending childcare history, sociology, and psychology, Ockwell-Smith challenges the notion that children must blindly obey to show respect, arguing instead that true respect must be mutual.

Because I Said So! is an essential guide for parents, teachers, and caregivers who wish to break the cycle of dismissive parenting and understand how their own upbringings shape their current beliefs. The text prompts readers to recognize the prevalence of childism in daily life and provides the tools to transform how we care for the next generation. Ultimately, this provocative work suggests that to change the world for the better, we must begin by treating children with the same kindness and dignity we afford to adults.