Why Have Kids? The Truth About Parenting And Happiness

Parenting, as we know, is something that’s both rewarding and frustrating. Jessica Valenti, a high-profile feminist in the US asks a controversial and, to some, offensive question in her book entitled Why Have Kids.

Jessica Valenti says, “This is a book about how the American ideal of parenting doesn’t match the reality of our lives, and how that incompatibility is hurting parents and children… The truth about parenting is that the reality of our lives needs to be enough. Seeking out an ideal that most of us can never reach is making us, and our kids, miserable.”

Parents usually try to be perfect and ideal starting from pregnancy and this usually makes American mothers feel a certain guilt when they’re unable to actually BE perfect and ideal. The book shows the disconnect between our hopes and the reality. And it says we should instead focus on raising our children and on forming communities of action rather than communities of judgment.

Why Have Kids tackles those tough issues that parents need to address. It tells readers the problems parents face these days as they raise their children and later on gives solutions that can bring joy back into parenting.

About the author: Jessica Valenti is the founder of Feministing.com, which according to the Columbia Journalism Review is “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.” She has written 3 other books including The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women.  Jessica is considered one of the top 100 inspiring women in the world by the Guardian, and she speaks at different organizations and universities in the US and abroad on feminism, activism and media.

Why Have Kids is available for purchase on Amazon.com. The paperback costs $23 but is, as of writing, on sale for $15.14. The digital list price is $14 but is on sale right now for only $4.99. And if you’re an Amazon prime member, you can borrow this book for free using your Kindle.

This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a copy of Why Have Kids and compensation for my time investment and work on this.

Comments

Why Have Kids? The Truth About Parenting And Happiness — 9 Comments

  1. Interesting book. I’ve been wondering the same things…why do people want to have kids? I’m not judging, I want kids too, but I’m just curious what are the various reasons people have?

  2. I get a strong sense in this review that someone believes if you can’t be a perfect parent, then don’t be one at all. Parents always make mistakes, unpopular decisions and feel a considerable amount of guilt concerning these issues. They also work hard in and out of the home and raise strong, healthy young adults who’s lives are productive and healthy.

  3. This looks like an interesting book. It’s true that the ideal of parenting doesn’t always match the reality – but it’s worth it!

  4. This sounds like a great book. I am sure there is alot of information in here that I could use for my grandkids and myself. I guess I didn’t learn enough the first time around with my children

  5. This sounds like a very interesting read, We are not perfect but we try to be, We shall stumble but at least we got up..