constancethereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
katethepodtherapyartist's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
ohshanada's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
jessicabeel's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked: The questions that the author poses are thought provoking. I identified with some of the thoughts like the author seeing the disparity between mothers and fathers from a young age (moms do the domestic chores while dads basically chill) -- which may be why I feel more like my father's daughter.
What I didn't like: The book felt more like a memoir in most places -- which was great to understand her Affirmative No on motherhood but it was not what I was expecting from the book. In addition, I feel like the author is forgetting that women throughout history have struggled with question of motherhood; these women tended to be well-educated with more options available to them -- especially the women who lived in Greenwich Village in the 1910-1920s. The author also mentions in also every chapter that climate change and the environment are leading reasons that some women give for not having children - which rang false for me.
What I didn't like: The book felt more like a memoir in most places -- which was great to understand her Affirmative No on motherhood but it was not what I was expecting from the book. In addition, I feel like the author is forgetting that women throughout history have struggled with question of motherhood; these women tended to be well-educated with more options available to them -- especially the women who lived in Greenwich Village in the 1910-1920s. The author also mentions in also every chapter that climate change and the environment are leading reasons that some women give for not having children - which rang false for me.
vanesst's review
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Infertility, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion and Miscarriage
savetris's review
4.0
This book gave me a sense of validation and belonging i didn't know i sought. I personally think a lot of women without kids do not want kids due to some form of mommy issues ... the relationship between a mother and daughter is deeply complex and it really makes or breaks a person, if that makes sense. I love my mother more than anyone in this world, although I can't say we have the best relationship, even within our family of five.
I grew up in a highly family-oriented culture and upbringing, and growing up, marrying a man and having kids has always been the natural order of things. It wasn't until I became a full-fledged adult, perhaps after college, that I began to think that didn't have to be my life, my future. I often change my mind about a lot of things but in this decision i am as sure as i can ever be, I do not want to be pregnant and give birth. (For a lot of reasons, but mostly because of health concerns—mine and the hypothetical child's.) Hell, I don't even want to get married. Though that doesn't necessarily mean I don't want to be a mother. If ever (in ten or so years from now) I have the financial, emotional, and social security, and maybe a co-parent, then I will consider adopting a child. I'm not sure this area in the Motherhood Spectrum (as Ruby Warrington calls it) was explored in the book.
Women Without Kids is a much needed read for any woman who has ever had doubts or regrets about having kids. Though I do feel it's a little longer than necessary and sounds repetitive at times. I started reading this for Women's history month but it took me a while to finish.
I grew up in a highly family-oriented culture and upbringing, and growing up, marrying a man and having kids has always been the natural order of things. It wasn't until I became a full-fledged adult, perhaps after college, that I began to think that didn't have to be my life, my future. I often change my mind about a lot of things but in this decision i am as sure as i can ever be, I do not want to be pregnant and give birth. (For a lot of reasons, but mostly because of health concerns—mine and the hypothetical child's.) Hell, I don't even want to get married. Though that doesn't necessarily mean I don't want to be a mother. If ever (in ten or so years from now) I have the financial, emotional, and social security, and maybe a co-parent, then I will consider adopting a child. I'm not sure this area in the Motherhood Spectrum (as Ruby Warrington calls it) was explored in the book.
Women Without Kids is a much needed read for any woman who has ever had doubts or regrets about having kids. Though I do feel it's a little longer than necessary and sounds repetitive at times. I started reading this for Women's history month but it took me a while to finish.