Being Fruitful Without Multiplying: Stories and Essays from Around the World

by Patricia Yvette, Renee Ann, Janice Lynne

Overview

Childfree, childless ... these are the labels society gives to women who do not bear children, due to choice or genetics. Being Fruitful without Multiplying started as one woman's quest to come to terms with her decision not to bear children. In conversation with Renee and Janice--two close relatives from different generations--Patricia found that they shared another, unexpected bond: each belonged to childless or childfree social networks. All three were weary of questions from well-meaning people who wondered why they had not born children. As they began to reach out to others in earnest, they found that many who belonged to their diverse online communities were eager to share their stories. Some had chosen to be childfree and some were childless because of biological factors but grew to appreciate the advantages. Some of those who chose not to reproduce still decided to become stepparents or adopt. Over sixty women and a few men added their voices to those of the three main authors. The result is this rich and varied anthology, which includes stories from many different countries, cultures and income groups. Gold Medal Winner (Women's Issues) in the 2014 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781603811552
Publisher:	Epicenter Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/28/2012
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Patricia Yvette holds an advanced degree in information technology and marketing and currently works for a Seattle-based aerospace corporation. She has been married for twenty-five years.

Read an Excerpt

Those six years of babysitting adventures were more than enough to help me realize all the time, effort, and money required to raise children. Sure, the kids were sometimes adorable and fun to be around, but they also required major disciplining. Every girl should babysit during her teenage years. Babysitting may well provide the best possible incentive to postponing sexual activity.

During my babysitting jobs I saw a lot of poor parenting. Once I actually called my mother to have her bring over food supplies for the kids I was caring for, because there was nothing in the refrigerator but old take out and several bottles of beer. It was truly pathetic.

Witnessing this kind of neglect made me pity the girls in high school who purposefully or accidentally became pregnant. I was hugely motivated to practice abstinence--not the easiest thing to do when you are surrounded by friends engaging in sexual activity, insisting that you are missing out. One of my best friends discovered she was pregnant by a boy who had also impregnated another teenage girl. Her life changed instantly. It was about this time that I focused my energy on finding work and didn't look back.

Editorial Reviews

"A terrific resource for expanding our perspectives on parenting, reproduction and the shifting economic and social realities in women's lives. I recommend it to academic and nonacademic audiences alike."

--Maythee Rojas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies at California State University, Long Beach

"A book that will be interesting to all women and the men who

strive to understand them." --Glenn Ross Caddy, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., F.A.P.A., Chairman,

Institute of Clinical Psychology, Mind-Experts International, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

"This book is destined to become a valuable social document for researchers, as well as a friend to culturally and socially isolated childless by choice women. Being Fruitful Without Multiplying is an important work, and I commend the authors for their efforts and honesty in sharing their own stories in such depth, as well as collating so many other voices from around the globe."

--Jody Day, Founder, Gateway Women, UK

"I would recommend this book to anyone who has made this choice or is currently childless and wonders 'What can I expect if I remain so?' "

--Laura S. Scott, Author of Two Is Enough: A Couple's Guide to Living Childless by Choice and Director of the Childless by Choice Project.

From the Publisher