Families of Two: Interviews with Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice

I read this book from the library and liked it so much, I've decided to buy it. I found the 13-page introduction intriguing, where she summarizes her findings. The points that she makes resonated with the discussions that my husband and I have had about having children. In her introduction, she states that most of the interviewees are from California, New York, and Connecticut. While I found that I did not relate completely to some of their lifestyles because I'm in the Midwest, I enjoyed their answers to questions about whether to have children - and I marveled at how we can all be different and yet have much the same thoughts and feelings. I definitely recommend this book. I have been married for 10 years, and it was encouraging to me to read interviews of people who have been happily married for 25, 30, 35 years, etc. without children.

This is a wonderful book! And long overdue. When my wife and I were considering whether to have children 15 years ago, there were few couples and no books that you could turn to for advice. Now there is and it's well worth reading. I love the fact that Ms. Carroll captures the insights and feelings of several diverse couples who have chosen not to have children. They have clearly experienced many of the same prejudices that my wife and I have encountered, but what strikes me is the richness of their lives and the strength of their relationships. Too many couples have children because it is what society expects or they think it is the only sure fire way to achieve fulfillment. I couldn't help concluding from this book that there are many paths to fulfillment, children are but one. I like the fact that this book does not pass judgement on parenthood, it merely affirms the belief that one can live a rich and fulfilled life in a family of two where both persons are free to pursue their mutual and separate interests. I highly recommend this book to anyone contemplating this decision. It was a breeze to read. I enjoyed the couples' stories so much that I finished it in two days. Given that raising a child to age 18 is estimated to cost a quarter of a million dollars, the price of this book is a bargain if it helps readers consciously make that choice or the choice not to have children. Thanks Laura Carroll. This book needed to be written!

I was really unsure how I felt about having children. Society said "yes," parents said "yes," we said "we don't THINK so." Then I saw Laura Carroll's interview on television. When I saw someone wrote a book on the topic, I had to get it. I must admit, I was hoping to be told by one of the couples interviewed that my feeling were not selfish. I don't want to be selfish. Many of them admitted that was the case. But many of them also gave other very good reasons for not wanting children. Not wanting to change their lives. And I found myself fitting in the same pattern as these people. We are not freaks! There are others that feel this way! And I was glad to hear from them all.

I saw Ms. Carroll recently on the Early Show and so needed to hear what she had to say. My wife and I have been happily married for five years, and I am an only child. You cannot believe the pressures and questions we face every time we visit our parents. We immediately purchased a copy of Families of Two and read it this past weekend. Although we may not change our parent's desire for a grandchild, we are both more at peace with our decision, and now have amunition for dealing with our parents and our friends. The couples that Ms. Carroll interviewed also gave us hope that we can continue to enjoy a happy marriage without children. I highly reccommend this book for couples who have decided to be childless, as well as parents & family who harang them with pressure. Thank you Ms. Carroll.

The author interviews couples from around the country about their choice not to have kids, and she does an excellent job of asking these couples insightful, probing questions about their choice. Each interview has its own chapter, and each interview follows a similar format, with similar questions. I liked that because I could compare the various stories of the couples. What's interesting is that while there are some commonalities, the reasons the people being interviewed gave for not having children vary widely. The author writes a little intro for each couple, describing the setting and what each person does for a living. The people talk about their histories and how they met. So even though this book is nonfiction, I like the sort of character development that comes out. Plus, with all of the well-done pictures, you can easily follow their stories, and you aren't left wondering what people who choose not to have kids *really* look like. I would definitely recommend this book. I think it quells some myths about the types of people that choose not to have children. It's a must-read, especially for those still deciding whether to have children, for people interested in the choices of others, and for those who know someone that has made the choice. I haven't seen any other books like it, but I sure hope more follow, at least if they're as well done as this one.