Product Description

We live in a child-centred society. Women, no matter how high-achieving in other areas, are pitied and patronised if they are childless, and condemned as selfish if this is by choice. However, large numbers of women are enjoying their hard-won independence, and are reluctant to give it all up to become slaves to their children. And many men feel the same way. "Childfree and Loving It!" is a broad, definitive exploration of non-parenthood, challengng the myths of parenthood and boldly proclaiming the joys of a childfree life. Nick Defago explores population growth and the environment, workplace policies and consumerism, and interviews those who have chosen not to have children as well as the honest parents who wish they hadn't. If you've ever questioned the need for children or sighed with relief that you don't have any - then this is the book for you.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111837 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Nicki Defago is a journalist who has written for Red, She and Eve. She has also worked for Newsnight and was Deputy Editor of The Jeremy Vine Show. She lives in london.

Customer Reviews

Simply Brilliant
I've never written a review before, but I just had to for this book. It is brilliant! Like the author, I have searched for books on 'making your mind up' only to be faced with hundreds on pregnancy and nothing on how the hell to make such an important decision in the first place. This book fills this gap brilliantly. The tone is warm and engaging, it's extremely well and intelligently written. It's not about telling you NOT to have children, it's about CHOICE, and when you think of parenthood like that, it's hugely enlightening.
This book deals humourously with the comments childfree people get (you're selfish, you'll change your mind etc etc - all of which I've had to bat away in annoyance) and challenges the stigma attached to the choice to remain CF. And it is a stigma - I chose not to read it on the train because I thought I'd get funny or pitying looks and people would assume I was either infertile (and trying to look on the bright side), or a hard faced child-hater (which I'm absolutely not). But I wish I had read it on the train, just to stick two fingers up at everyone and say, look you DO have a choice!
Anyone thinking about having a baby (as well as those of us who simply aren't bothered) should read it. It's too important a decision not to look at both sides of the story.

EVERYONE MUST READ THIS BOOK!
Thank you Nicki Defago for writing this book! I have been thinking about whether or not to have children for sometime now and reading this book has clarified my feelings on the matter.

Having children is a lifelong commitment and everyone should read this book so that they can make an informed decision. A childfree life offers many benefits such as freedom to travel, meet friends for a drink or simply just to spend time reading a book.

Whether or not you decide to have children is an entirely personal decision. But it is really important to remember that you do have a choice and you should be proud of whatever you choose to do.

At last - we have a voice!
I devoured this book! Nicki Defago is hugely honest and positive about living childfree - a subject a lot of people find hard to grasp.

"Live and let live" seems to be her way of thinking. She is never defensive or denegrating to the majority of people who choose children. She simply makes the point that, yes, we do have a CHOICE in this and if we choose to live without children, then please don't pity us - we have a great life, thankyou!

She seems a great ambassador for the childfree. We don't all hate children, we just don't want them living in our homes for the next 20 odd years.

I have read works by other authors on the subject but this was the best I've come across - up-to-date with lots of thoughts from the childfree and "honest parents." All the way through I was thinking - "this sounds just like us...!"

Buy this book if you need to feel you aren't alone in your decision in this "childcentric" world we live in. It would also be helpful for the friends and family of childfree people who need to better understand their point of view.