Sound Bite
"The Last Taboo" makes the case against having babies despite fierce, centuries old pressure on women to legitimate themselves through motherhood. Motherhood is the most important issue for a woman since it impacts everything in her life and exerts incredible pressure. This alternative, saying no to babies, will be welcome to women who are considering having babies, who are not sure about children, who don't want to have children but feel they must, who resent pressure to become pregnant, and who feel stigmatized for not having had children. Feminists, environmentalists, progressives will also benefit, as will academic programs in women's studies and family.
About the Book
Throughout history, women have been equated with a single biological function, motherhood, and made to feel they must have children to be "real women." Despite all women's advances, the pressure to have children still dogs women. The glorification of motherhood is everywhere in the media.The Last Taboo breaks ground in questioning the motherhood "requirement" and its glorification, while testifying to the harm motherhood regularly does to (1) women (their relationships, finances, careers, self-identity, physical energy), (2) unwanted children (half of all pregnancies are unplanned), and (3) the human species and environment (whose very existences are threatened by excessive reproduction.) For too long, women have been consigned to a life not suited to all, or even most women in the modern era, an era reeling under the environmental devastation of overpopulation. Women are not obliged to have children, despite great pressures. Motherhood is not a prerequisite for being a "real" woman.
Introduction
Description
In The Last Taboo: Saying No to Motherhood, Rosemary Agonito challenges one of the most entrenched societal expectations: the assumption that all women are destined for motherhood. With thought-provoking analysis and compelling arguments, this groundbreaking book explores the reasons why some women choose to forgo motherhood and the societal pressures they face in making that decision.
A Bold Examination of Choice:
Agonito opens the conversation about women's autonomy, shedding light on the cultural, psychological, and personal dimensions of rejecting motherhood. She confronts the stigma surrounding childfree women and questions the deeply rooted biases that equate womanhood with motherhood.
Key Themes Addressed:
Cultural Expectations: A critical exploration of how societal norms and traditions reinforce the expectation of motherhood as a defining role for women.
Breaking Stereotypes: A debunking of myths surrounding childfree women, including the notion that they are selfish or unfulfilled.
Personal Narratives: Stories from women who have chosen not to have children, offering diverse perspectives and highlighting the validity of their choices.
Empowering Autonomy: Advocacy for the right of women to make life decisions free from judgment or pressure, emphasizing individuality and self-determination.
Why This Book Matters:
Timely and Relevant: In an era of evolving gender roles and increasing discussions about women's rights, this book provides a fresh perspective on an often-overlooked topic.
Courageous Conversations: It challenges societal norms and opens a necessary dialogue about the assumptions surrounding family and fulfillment.
Empathy and Understanding: By sharing real-life experiences and insightful analysis, Agonito fosters empathy for women navigating this deeply personal choice.
For Whom This Book is Written:
The Last Taboo: Saying No to Motherhood is essential reading for anyone interested in gender studies, feminism, or cultural sociology. It is especially valuable for women contemplating their own life paths, as well as for readers seeking to understand and support the diverse choices of others.
An Empowering Message of Freedom:
Agonito’s work is more than an academic exploration—it’s a rallying cry for women to embrace their authentic selves and challenge outdated norms. She celebrates the right to choose, urging society to move beyond judgment and towards acceptance of all women’s paths.
A Must-Read for Modern Thinkers:
This book is a courageous and thought-provoking contribution to the discourse on women’s autonomy and societal expectations. Agonito’s insights will inspire readers to reconsider long-held beliefs and advocate for a world where all choices are respected and celebrated.</p
Table content
Introduction 4Chapter 1. Help! I'm Tired All the Time 8� � The Physical and Emotional Impact of Having Children 8� � Mommy in the Supermarket 8� � Mommy at Home 8� � Mommy at Work 10� � Not What I Bargained For 11� � The Mother-Child Relationship Turned Upside-Down 14� � The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions 15� � Nuclear Fissures 17� � The New Mid-life Crisis 18� � Where's Daddy? 19� � Frustrated, Frazzled and Furious 21Chapter 2. Honey, What's Happening To Us? 23� � The Impact of Children on a Personal Relationship 23� � Marla's Story 23� � Lisa's Story 24� � Ellen's Story 26� � Martha's Story 27� � Diana's Story 28� � Not-So-Wise Conventional Wisdom 29� � And Baby Makes Three 30� � Sleeping Together, Literally 30� � Number One 31� � Ships Passing in the Night 31� � Born Yesterday 32� � I'm Right; You're Wrong 33� � Stranger In Our Midst 34� � They're Gone! ' Marital Bliss and the Joy of Motherhood 35Chapter 3. Mom's Talents Down The Drain 37� � The Impact of Children on Career and Livelihood 37� � That's Life 37� � A Mother of the Future ' Almost 38� � A Mother of the Past 39� � A Mother of the Present ' Out of the Workforce 40� � Another Mother of the Present ' Out of the Workforce 41� � A Mother of the Present ' In the Workforce Part-Time 42� � A Mother of the Present ' In the Workforce Full-Time 42� � A Mother of the Present ' In the Workforce Full-Time, Sort Of 42� � Hitting the Baby Ceiling 44� � The Loss that Keeps on Losing 45� � A Recipe for Disaster 46� � Motherhood as Escape Hatch 47� � The Choice that Isn't a Choice 48� � What's Wrong With This Picture? 48� � 'What's Wrong With Me? I Don't Have Kids.' 49� � The Invisible Helping Hand 50� � The Ultimate Guilt Trip 51� � Who's Sorry Now? 52Chapter 4. Hey, Who Am I? 53� � How Motherhood Limits and Defines Mom as a Person 53� � Helen's Story ' and a Question 53� � Crisis of Identity 54� � The No-Return Policy 56� � Who Am I? 56� � The Building Blocks of the Family 58� � A Metaphor for the Self-Sacrificial Mom 59Chapter 5. The Money Pit 60� � The Financial Cost of Having Children 60� � Paying for Love Insurance 60� � Paying the Day-to-Day Costs 61� � Paying for Mr. Wrong 62� � Deep Pockets 64� � The Endless Money Siphon 64� � Paying for Their Bad Choices 65� � What Not Having It All Really Means 66Chapter 6. Godzilla Mom 66� � When Motherhood Harms the Child 66� � The Police Blotter 66� � A City Story 67� � A Suburban Story 69� � A Small Town Story 70� � A Television Story 71� � � A Jet-Set Story 72� � A Homeless Story 73� � A Tabloid Story 74� � Dirty Little Secrets 75� � Going It Alone 76� � That's My Baby! 77� � Unplanned Parenthood 77Chapter 7. Trashing Our World 78� � The Environmental and Human Impact of Having Children 78� � Ga Ga Over Babies 78� � Choosing Human Extinction 78� � It's Not Just Their Problem 80� � A Most Unpleasant Question 81� � Consider Adopting 83� � The 'Urge' to Reproduce 83� � It's Life 84Author's Note 85
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