This work investigates the evolving experience of childhood in Australia across seven decades, questioning how shifting social, economic, and cultural norms shaped the lives of the young. Jacqueline Kent, an established social historian and biographer, synthesizes oral histories, personal memoirs, and archival records to construct a comprehensive portrait of growing up in the twentieth century. The text argues that the Australian childhood was defined by a tension between inherited British traditions and the emerging realities of a distinct, often harsh, colonial environment.

The text provides a dense, well-documented social history that serves as a primary reference for understanding the domestic evolution of Australia. Its reliance on firsthand accounts offers a grounded perspective that balances broad historical trends with the intimate realities of daily life.