New Book About Modern Parenthood
Jessica Valenti, a high-profile young feminist, penned this new book which is causing a lot of buzz.
A provocative and intimate exploration of modern parenthood by “a gutsy young third wave feminist.” – The New York Times
“Timely… [Valenti] states early on that her book is meant to anger people and incite discussions… she wades deeply into the moral and logistical problems facing mothers, with interviews, research and her own anecdotal experiences.” – Kirkus Reviews
“In a culture that glamorizes motherhood, Jessica Valenti daringly articulates the hard work and the personal decisions that are an essential part of parenting. This book is a must read for new parents. – Gayle Lemmon, New York Times bestselling author of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
The book addresses the controversial questions surrounding the choice of having children. Through her own experiences and in-depth research, Valenti addresses the often un-talked-about subject of having (and/or not having) children. She fully expects the reader to have strong reactions and hope to provoke thoughtful discussion of this often taboo subject.
WHY HAVE KIDS? A New Mom Explores the Truth about Parenting and Happiness
by Jessica Valenti
Amazon/New Harvest· 208 pages
$23.00 Hardcover · ISBN: 978-0-8050-9412-1
$9.99 Digital List Price· ASIN: B008L4KT6W
“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,” says Valenti. “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.”
Why Have Kids? asks why would someone want to have a child today if there is so much disconnect between parents’ hopes and the day-to-day reality of raising children. The book also tackles the questions Valenti feels every potential parent should ask themselves before diving into parenthood. Most questions are about the pursuit of perfection that is responsible to the guilt and lack of joy many American moms experience.
Valenti also challenges us to think about the idea that raising our children might be a community exercise. She calls for action rather than judgment that can help mothers and parents support each other and offers solutions to social and political issues that can bring joy back to parenting
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica Valenti is the author of three previous books, including The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women. She is also the founder of Feministing.com, which the Columbia Journalism Review called “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.” Jessica – called one of the top 100 inspiring women in the world by the Guardian – speaks at universities and organizations in the U.S. and abroad about feminism, activism, and media. She lives with her family in Boston, but remains a New Yorker at heart.
#WhyHaveKids Twitter Party Tonight 9/13/12
There is a Twitter Party for Why Have Kids? is this evening from 8 – 9 pm ET. Please share about the party on twitter today using the tweet found below. We would like everyone to tweet about the party at least once today. Join #WhyHaveKids 9/13 8-9pm/ET for a Twitter party on the new WHY HAVE KIDS? book! Win prizes, too! RSVP: http://bit.ly/RET1KF
Why Have Kids? website: http://jessicavalenti.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are 100% my own. I received a copy of Why Have Kids? and compensation for my time investment and work on this campaign.
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