The Childless Revolution: What It Means to Be Childless Today

As a woman who finds herself under a constant barrage of questions by both friends and strangers as to why I don't have (and won't have) children, I believe that this book is fantastic. Madelyn Cain has written a book about women who are childfree that is both fair and accurate. Her interviews with over 100 women illustrate the wide ranging reasons behind why some women choose not to have children; "by choice, by chance or by happenstance." By including the personal stories of these women, I felt that she made the book less like a clinical study and more of an enjoyable and informative source for anyone curious about the childfree/childless. It was also interesting (and sometimes disturbing) to learn about the misconceptions many people have about women who are not mothers, and also their opinions on how this "revolution" of childlessness will affect the human race. What I believe I appreciated the most about this book is that Cain herself is a mother, and she choose to delve into this topic with an open mind and heart to discover all of the reasons that lead women to not have children. "The Childless Revolution" explores both womanhood and motherhood without concluding or insisting that the two are explicitly intertwined.

There is an underlying notion in our society that women who do not have children are somehow selfish, or worse, unwilling to fulfill what society deems is the ultimate destiny of a woman: to bear a child. In this insightful book, Ms. Cain examines that issue and shows us that there are as many reasons to have or not to have children as there are women. As a mother myself, it is interesting to hear the voices of those who have chosen a less traditional path. It is not a personal failure on the part of these women who have chosen not to have children, but rather a societal failure to recognize that each woman has a right to choose her own destiny, which may or may not include parenthood.

The "Childless Revolution" recently authored by Madelyn Cain is a thoughtful and insightful look at the lives of women without children, and their reasons for and comfort with---a life without children. The author tackles a subject that has been taboo for a long period of time. Adults who are parents often make assumptions about the lives of those without children. Most of these assumptions are not true, and do not have basis in fact. A common assumption, for example, is that adults without children will have a miserable and unhappy old age. In fact, research mentioned in the book by Ms. Cain show that there is no significant difference in overall life contentment between those elderly women with children-and those without children.The author covers the two main groups of adults without children-those who are "childfree by choice" and those who are "childfree by chance." Within those two categories, she breaks it down further and talks about the variety of reasons that contribute to individuals belonging to one of the groups. The issues covered in this book would be of tremendous help to today's parents-some of who will be the parent of an adult who does not have children. Rather than having this issue catch a parent "by surprise", it is important to be knowledgeable about this topic and to be able to understand and support your family members.I appreciated the fact that she was able to point out that the experience of adoption was not for everyone. Adoption is based on loss--loss for the child of his or her birthparents, and in some case loss to the adoptive parent-who may not be able to bear children biologically. Adoption requires a specific set of understandings and skills from a parent; one that takes into account the unique needs of the child who is adopted. Some childfree by chance adults felt that they were not up to this task, and wisely made the choice not to adopt.Adults who are childfree are a steadily increasing percent of our population. It is time for people in general to understand this issue, and to know that a childfree life is not a road to misery and unhappiness, but can be a happy and productive one.

I am a 27-year-old married woman, and I grow more uncertain by the day as to whether children will ever be a part of my life. Ms. Cain's book helped me examine the choice that lies ahead of me from more perspectives than I would have thought possible--each intriguing and thought-provoking in its own way. 'The Childless Revolution' sheds new light on this important subject, which rarely receives the thorough discussion it deserves despite the fact that more and more women--married and single, gay and straight--are living lives without children. This is a book for every woman who is touched by this issue: those who are childless for any reason; those who have never considered childlessness an option; and especially those--like me--for whom this issue presents one of life's most important decisions.

At last, a thoroughly researched and comprehensive study of women who have chosen --and in some cases, not freely chosen-- to be childless. As someone who finds herself "labeled" in this category, I have heretofore only approached this subject with another woman who is in the same position as I, and even then, with a sense of discomfort. But Ms. Cain freely, and with uncanny perception and compassion, discusses and analyses this "revolution", which has otherwise been either ignored or looked upon with askance. As the middle sister (who has not conceived), I am sandwiched between a mother of three and another sister who has chosen not only to remain childless, but unmarried as well. I have bemoaned with the latter my feeling of being anathema in a society who values only those who have children as being fulfilled and selfless. It is with great relief and gratitude that I read a book that honors us all --those with children and those without. For those who do not understand all the ramifications of women who do not conceive, and for those who are childless themselves, this is a cherished book of celebration for women of all ilks. Indeed, we all have something to offer --and no choice comes without regret or rewards. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ms. Cain for honoring the myriad of things that women have to offer each other --and all the children of the world.