Educating in a discouraged epoch

We are going through a time of transition, a change of epoch symbolically started with the attacks of September 11 th 2001, that is perhaps declaring the end of post-modern. While the latter was characterised by nihilism and lack of clear targets, the time that is being outlined seems instead to claim for a new axiology, as the previous moral apathy was no more sustainable. Our society is more worried by the need of protection and control, and invokes for limiting freedom in order to guarantee security. This general perspective has unavoidable consequences also in education, that is maybe experiencing a quick change of paradigm. The present essay tries to outline this new trend, particularly through the analysis of some recent books for children.