Sound Bite
Do you have a right NOT to have children? Do we have a right NOT to be born? Choosing to remain 'child-free' or 'childless' is something that sparks various reactions - but not everyone has actually given it deep thought. The names and viewpoints discussed in this book may spur some thinking among those considering becoming parents, feminists, ecologists, the religious right, and the child-free community.
The Internet is full of lists of people who are reported as not having had children; some of these lists contain errors. Here, the author has added Ã? dates and places of birth and death, to aid in verification.Ã?Â
Also, � while most lists focus on contemporary celebrities, in this book, the author presents an original list painstakingly compiled over these past years; it is not a copy of anyone else's list of names, and contains mostly historic individuals, illustrating how many of our cultural and scientific landmarks are the gifts childless people have bequeathed to humanity.
About the Author
Broaching what may be a delicate topic, J. O. Raber examines our assumptions and beliefs about having children. The writing will strike a chord with men and women from a broad section of the public, while some chapters also address readers seeking a more formal philosophical approach to the subject.
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About the Book
Life without children can have many benefits, both on a personal level and for humanity and the planet; but the topic tends to ignite highly emotional controversy more than rational debate. This issue engages feminists, ecologists, the religious...
Life without children can have many benefits, both on a personal level and for humanity and the planet; but the topic tends to ignite highly emotional controversy more than rational debate. This issue engages feminists, ecologists, the religious right, the child-free community and parents who take offense at the child-free community.
Web sites and books on the issue of whether to have children focus mainly on the personal side of the issue, often leaving the reader with the feeling that non-procreation is purely egocentric hedonism ' whereas 'child-free' web sites tend to flame parents.
This book dispassionately presents the names of 700 notable men and women from various walks of life who did not have children and who are unlikely to have been able to make their extraordinary contributions to humanity if they had had children to raise, and includes a host of philosophical arguments offered by such people explaining their decision not to have children.
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LauraCarroll.com
... Raber looks at the choice to have no children through the lives of many notable people from history. The book reflects some serious digging and research to come up with an extensive list and description of people from all professions, including but not limited to: artists, actors, adventurers, architects, cartoonists, champion athletes, choreographers, classical musicians comedians, conductors, culinary stars, dancers, editors, fashion designers, filmmakers/directors, founders, historians, inventors, journalists, judges, lyricists, mathematicians, news reporters, Nobel Prize winners, opera singers, notable educators, popular singers/musicians, philanthropists, philosophers, pioneer physicians, political and world leaders, scientists, social reformers, talk show hosts, writers and even a list of Super Centenarians! It is comprehensive to say the least, as is a collection of quotes on why they did not have children... - See more at: http://lauracarroll.com/the-new-book-famous-but-no-children/ Laura Carroll
Population Matters Review, 25 August 2014 | More »
Population Matters Review, 25 August 2014
This list of 700 notable and brilliant individuals who did not have children, and who, arguably, would not have made their contributions to history had they had children, accompanies philosophical arguments on the question. What sets this list apart from others is the scale of research, including the subjects’ dates of birth and death, a brief description of their achievements and, where available, quotes on why they did not have children. This creates a thought-provoking platform on which to base Raber’s reflections, which at times are highly informed, well considered and relevant. Raber tackles age-old questions that most people in this position have had to face: Don’t you like children? Don’t you care about carrying on your family name? Who will take care of you when you are old? His philosophical reflections include asking whether future generations have a right to be born (or not). The book is worth reading, but raises more questions than answers, given the moral code around the subject. Claire Coveney
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Year: 2014
BISAC: BIO000000
BISAC: SOC026010
Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-62894-042-8
Price: USD 21.95
Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1-62894-043-5
Price: USD 31.95
eBook
ISBN: 978-1-62894-044-2
Price: USD 21.95
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