A Mother's Place: Choosing Work and Family Without Guilt or Blame [Paperback]

Susan Chira (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 1998

Mothers today are under siege. Society belittles mothers at home while telling mothers at work they are blighting their children's lives. Susan Chira, a veteran New York Times journalist, separates myth from reality, showing how the media, the courts, and politicians have conducted a backlash against working mothers that hurts all women. Here, she reviews the latest scientific research and shows, contrary to popular belief, that children of working mothers turn out just as well as those raised by stay-at-home mothers. But instead of telling mothers where their place should be, Chira wants to reframe this distorted debate and help mothers get where they want to be, whether at home or at work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A passionate defense of working mothers." -- -- Parenting

"Important and well-reasoned book. Working mothers could not ask for a better companion." -- -- New York Times

"A controversial work. You cannot read it without thinking. And thinking...At the very least, Chira has done something heroic by really analyzing the issue." -- San Diego Union-Tribune

"A hand-holder for all those mothers who see themselves labeled as selfish and unearing because they choose to bring home the paycheck." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A passionate defense of working mothers." -- Parenting

"Chira has elevated the debate...An ambitious book, clearly intended to retire the field and enable working mothers to get on with it." -- Los Angeles Times

"Important and well-reasoned book. Working mothers could not ask for a better companion." -- New York Times

About the Author

Susan Chira, New York Times deputy foreign editor, has written extensively on family issues. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (December 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060930241
• ISBN-13: 978-0060930240
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,698,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, theories and proof that we are okay as working moms, March 30, 2007

By 

Thoughtful Reader "Liz" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mother's Place: Choosing Work and Family Without Guilt or Blame (Paperback)

this book is a gem. a bit outdated but a true working mother's defense against the stereotypes that still exist around whether it's truly okay to leave your little one/s with someone else. and whether it's okay to pursue work AND family without messing up your kids. she goes head to head with the big child development gurus who haunt any well read mother - those that emphasize the VITAL importance of mommy time during most stages of kids growing up. she counters their theories with other ones that are empowering like - your kids see a great role model, your kids get high quality time when they're with you, your kids learn how to adjust to different care environments and learn how to handle life independently. i am now getting this book for my sister, career woman and devoted first time mom, who is tormented about her decision to go back to work as her baby turns 3 months. bottom line, this book says, in quantifiable and reassuring terms, that it's not only OKAY to balance work and children, it might actually be beneficial - for the child's development and for you. highly recommended.