Childfree and Loving It!

by Nicki Defago

Book Overview

Recording the opinions of childless women from all over the world and letting this growing band answer their detractors, this investigation looks into the world of those who choose not to have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1904132634
• ISBN13: 9781904132639
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Fusion Press
• Length: 247 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Best Childfree Book Out There

I'm one of those who wasn't sure, until I read this book. It's not as though it braiwashed me, it's just that most of the noise out there leans in favor of reproducing. This is one of the few books that helps to balance the scales. The insight from people who chose not to breed, people who have and have misgivings, and (less so) people who have and enjoy it is what makes this book so great. Unlike some books, it isn't antagonizing towards individuals who chose to reproduce. But it offers support to people who have chosen not to, as well as reasons why it may be an option for people who haven't decided. It think it's worth noting that I finally had to order this book because 1) my local library refused to purchase it, even after my asking repeated times (despite having numerous books on pregnancy and child rearing) and 2) my local bookstores didn't carry it.

I LOVED This Book!!!

Like how so many other people have thought, I always thought I was the only one! I never knew voluntarily "childfree" people exited & thanks to this book (among many others), I now have a voice! Thankfully my parents never expressed any wishes for me to marry & bear children. I've never had the urge to have children. I adore my friend's children, but I wouldn't want them with me for 24 hours, 7 days a week. I read this book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down. Sometimes the British spelling/language usage caught me off-guard but there aren't all that many British English "slang" words. I also re-read some stories over & over. Some parts of the book I already have memorized but I still go back & read them again. I am so grateful that this book has been written. I now know that I am not alone in my feelings, that I am indeed "normal" & I don't have to have children if I don't want to have them.

Childfree!

Earlier in the year (if not last year) a professor loaned Childfree & Loving It! to my SO and I. We were warned that the book was a lot of "fluff" but still an enjoyable read. It sat on my bedside stand for months until I got through The Childless Revolution and The Baby Boon only in an act of frustration to pick up this book thinking: "There has to be something better!" And I was right, there does have to be something better, and if this book is not entirely something better it's an improvement over these other books. Before going too much into this book, all of the childfree literature I've read has offered alternative interpretations and perspectives. Childfree and Loving It! is no different except it full embraces a positive look at being childfree (not to mention not treating the environmentally childfree as loons) without negatively portraying parenthood but with no fear of criticizing parenthood. This book offers a lot of representation of the childfree within the pages and goes back and forth from being "fluff" to the occasional, grabbing sentence that deserves more thought than some of the entire chapters. For example, one area of interest is how, especially in western cultures, we embrace choice and the disgust and rejection that can (and does) occur when anything is suggested to be done as a result of social pressures rather than choice. Another area of interest for myself was Defago's discussion of the effort some childfree people/women feel is necessary to prove that they still like/care for children and can still be caring/compassionate without eating babies for breakfast. This has definitely been my favorite childfree book so far. While it lacks some of the academic spin of The Baby Boon and avoids a lot of the mistakes in The Childless Revolution, it's still a solid work that's easy to read and does a good job exploring the childfree.

Best book on the subject by far...

I was so stoked when I heard this book was coming out. I enjoy any books I can come across on the subject and I especially enjoy this one. All the bases are covered in this book. Every reason one would choose to remain childfree is discussed: from overpopulation to spending more time with your spouse to having more money and retiring early and on and on. The chapters are filled with real people's thoughts on the subject and not all of them are positive, although most are. I noticed one reviewer said there is "bashing" in the book. It is not a book on how wonderful life is with kids; it is a book on why one would choose NOT to have them. So if that seems like "bashing", don't buy the book. But seriously, this book will reaffirm that you have made the right choice in staying childfree (assuming you HAVE made that decision) or it will give you pause on why you should have kids. I find myself re-reading chapters all the time and the stories really hit home. Nicki does a wonderful job balancing her own writing and views and the thoughts of everyday childfree people that share their take on life. If you buy any one book on the subject, this has to be it.

Wonderful resource for the undecided!

I bought this book as I was seriously contemplating the idea of a childfree life, and had very few people to talk to that would not try to persuade me one way or the other. For me, this book really solidified my decision, but I think it would be helpful for someone who hadn't already pretty much made up their mind. In it, there are so many comments from people who have followed a childfree life, wanted to but didn't, and those who wanted kids and have them, and they are all helpful in seeing the 'big picture' of parenting, without the rose-colored glasses that your friends with kids always look through. The best thing for me was to find out that there are other like-minded people out there that choose to be childfree, and they did not come to regret it. They too have experienced the stigma of being childfree, and I felt like there was a subset of society out there that I could finally identify with (but had trouble finding!). This book is also not as anti-children as many of the childfree organizations can tend to be. It reinforces the idea that it's ok to be childfree (and still like children), and you should absolutely be sure of wanting children before you decide on having them. It is an easy read, with lots of great insight. Well worth the money and time to read!!