Customer Reviews

Childless by Choice: A Feminist Anthology

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Perhaps childless women are some of the women who might have made the best mothers, for many of us are fully cognizant of what a responsibility motherhood is." So proclaims the introduction to this book, and its a paradox that seems born out in the sensitivity and intelligence of the writing therein. Most of the essays point up the sheer weightiness of the decision to have or not have children. There's nothing flip or arbitrary about these women's ruminations. On the contrary, many of these pieces are colored with sadness and sobriety, and most are the product of some pretty deep soul searching. It seems as though the decision NOT to have children is made and born with even more presence of mind and determination than the decision to go ahead and have them. There's nothing whimsical about it. Sometimes a little (necessary) defensiveness is evident in the writing, and a lot of brutal honesty about the "downside" of child rearing. And let's not pretend there are no sacrifices. So, like reality, this book is sometimes harsh; it isn't for the overly sensitive. (I'd stay away from it if you're pregnant!) But if you're leaning towards NOT becoming a mother, reading these essays and poems should help you define and embrace your identity - you may, as I did, find aspects of yourself in the lives of others. (The reluctance to sacrifice or compromise your lifestyle, your creativity or other personal pursuits, your partnerships. The ways in which you struggle to respond in the face of guilt and the accusations of selfishness that arise.) I recommend this anthology, but would point out that most of its authors are educated liberals, writers, artists and lesbians. So it's sometimes "radical", fairly intellectual stuff. Not very "mainstream". Not too many "regular working gals" represented, it seemed. Still it's an emotionally intelligent collection, and well worth checking out.

This is another illuminating book on the topic of voluntary child"less"ness. It was interesting to read the thoughts, life stories, and poetry of the women profiled in this book. Every childfree woman should read this book - because it reveals that many childfree women - regardless of background or lifestyle - have similar motivations - and sometimes completely different ones....but we all have in common the stereotypes and judgements that others try to assign to us. I know what I believe in - but it gave me personally more insight into my contemporaries. Sometimes it's challenging to find other childfree women in your area to discuss these issues with - so this book was a nice "virtual" visit with many of them. This book can be read in just a few hours - but the impact will last forever. Thank You.

I did not like this book. I was expecting so much more. It was pretty much lame poems and short stories. I wanted more of real life stories. I didn't learn anything from it.