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Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth
A portrait of America's most interesting yet overlooked women.
In the midst of a historic "birth dearth," why do some 5 percent of American women choose to defy the demographic norm by bearing five or more children? Hannah’s Children is a compelling portrait of these overlooked but fascinating mothers who, like the biblical Hannah, see their children as their purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing.
The social scientist Catherine Pakaluk, herself the mother of eight, traveled across the United States and interviewed fifty-five college-educated women who were raising five or more children. Through open-ended questions, she sought to understand who these women are, why and when they chose to have a large family, and what this choice means for them, their families, and the nation.
Hannah’s Children is more than interesting stories of extraordinary women. It presents information that is urgently relevant for the future of American prosperity. Many countries have experimented with aggressively pro-natalist public policies, and all of them have failed. Pakaluk finds that the quantitative methods to which the social sciences limit themselves overlook important questions of meaning and identity in their inquiries into fertility rates. Her book is a pathbreaking foray into questions of purpose, religion, transcendence, healing, and growth—questions that ought to inform economic inquiry in the future.
In the midst of a historic "birth dearth," why do some 5 percent of American women choose to defy the demographic norm by bearing five or more children? Hannah’s Children is a compelling portrait of these overlooked but fascinating mothers who, like the biblical Hannah, see their children as their purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing.
The social scientist Catherine Pakaluk, herself the mother of eight, traveled across the United States and interviewed fifty-five college-educated women who were raising five or more children. Through open-ended questions, she sought to understand who these women are, why and when they chose to have a large family, and what this choice means for them, their families, and the nation.
Hannah’s Children is more than interesting stories of extraordinary women. It presents information that is urgently relevant for the future of American prosperity. Many countries have experimented with aggressively pro-natalist public policies, and all of them have failed. Pakaluk finds that the quantitative methods to which the social sciences limit themselves overlook important questions of meaning and identity in their inquiries into fertility rates. Her book is a pathbreaking foray into questions of purpose, religion, transcendence, healing, and growth—questions that ought to inform economic inquiry in the future.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2024
508 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 445 reviews
November 11, 2024
I was reluctant to read this. My child bearing years are over. Sometimes it even feels like those years were a little demoralizing. Why would I need this book? Been there, done that.
I am so happy I read it!! If you are an older mom with a large family, I highly recommend this book. It will bring back all the wonderful reasons you had so many children! This was such a happy read for me, a chance to remember all the reasons I had 9 children and how they were good reasons and how the children were blessings.
I am just thrilled to death with the joy of motherhood found in this book.
I am so happy I read it!! If you are an older mom with a large family, I highly recommend this book. It will bring back all the wonderful reasons you had so many children! This was such a happy read for me, a chance to remember all the reasons I had 9 children and how they were good reasons and how the children were blessings.
I am just thrilled to death with the joy of motherhood found in this book.
August 10, 2024
Going into this book, I expected some good demographic data and sociological insight (and it delivered). What I wasn't expecting was to be so dang encouraged. In fact, listening to these vastly varied interviews with seasoned mothers was incredibly healing, restorative, and bolstering for me.
The thing about role models is that we often don't hear from the ones doing hidden work. We see and hear the loudest ones, the ones with prestige or finesse, the ones writing memoirs or doing public facing work. But who thinks to hear from mothers, and not just mothers, but the ones doing something very counter-cultural and odd in the eyes of society... like having a large family? Most often they're written off as religiously brainwashed or caricatured as boring doormats. But they have much to offer in the way of modeling a way of life that is not only uncommon but entirely rare in the modern West.
The interviews in here are truly a treasure. The women are varied in many aspects of life circumstance and background. I found it fascinating that the research tended to show more in common with women choosing larger families with their spouse (whether wanting them at the start, or warming to it one baby at a time, or some mix) than these women had with with many of the people in their same socioeconomic/professional/geographic/cultural/religious backgrounds.
As stated multiple times within... this not a difference of degree, but of kind: To have the view that people (in the form of children) *are* the good in life, and worth all the necessary sacrifices. That you don't squeeze some planned children into your ideal life, but that you build your life around the children that come. That children don't ruin your marriage, they are in fact a fruit of its love.
Hearing from the intriguing women themselves in this conversational, qualitative way was such a good and necessary approach. Much is lost and misunderstood in quantitative demography and traditional sociological studies (which I'm also a sucker for).
I loved the way the author wove in not only relevant data, but interpretations of the threads she was collecting across these interviews. The women's experience with the benefits of large families—and babies—for marriages, siblings, families, communities, and society was especially illuminating and should be considered more seriously.
This book was a much needed bit of hope after reading and reviewing the more dismal "Family Unfriendly" by Tim Carney. These books, released on the same day, should honestly be bundled and read together. Each illumines the gaps and answers many of the questions of the other.
This would be helpful for anyone grappling with the whys, fears, or struggles of parenthood. Or really anyone in need of some hard-earned and honest wisdom regarding the role of children in all of our lives.
(The audio version was WONDERFUL. And the author's interview with Louise Perry on the Maiden Mother Matriarch podcast was a DELIGHT.)
The thing about role models is that we often don't hear from the ones doing hidden work. We see and hear the loudest ones, the ones with prestige or finesse, the ones writing memoirs or doing public facing work. But who thinks to hear from mothers, and not just mothers, but the ones doing something very counter-cultural and odd in the eyes of society... like having a large family? Most often they're written off as religiously brainwashed or caricatured as boring doormats. But they have much to offer in the way of modeling a way of life that is not only uncommon but entirely rare in the modern West.
The interviews in here are truly a treasure. The women are varied in many aspects of life circumstance and background. I found it fascinating that the research tended to show more in common with women choosing larger families with their spouse (whether wanting them at the start, or warming to it one baby at a time, or some mix) than these women had with with many of the people in their same socioeconomic/professional/geographic/cultural/religious backgrounds.
As stated multiple times within... this not a difference of degree, but of kind: To have the view that people (in the form of children) *are* the good in life, and worth all the necessary sacrifices. That you don't squeeze some planned children into your ideal life, but that you build your life around the children that come. That children don't ruin your marriage, they are in fact a fruit of its love.
Hearing from the intriguing women themselves in this conversational, qualitative way was such a good and necessary approach. Much is lost and misunderstood in quantitative demography and traditional sociological studies (which I'm also a sucker for).
I loved the way the author wove in not only relevant data, but interpretations of the threads she was collecting across these interviews. The women's experience with the benefits of large families—and babies—for marriages, siblings, families, communities, and society was especially illuminating and should be considered more seriously.
This book was a much needed bit of hope after reading and reviewing the more dismal "Family Unfriendly" by Tim Carney. These books, released on the same day, should honestly be bundled and read together. Each illumines the gaps and answers many of the questions of the other.
This would be helpful for anyone grappling with the whys, fears, or struggles of parenthood. Or really anyone in need of some hard-earned and honest wisdom regarding the role of children in all of our lives.
(The audio version was WONDERFUL. And the author's interview with Louise Perry on the Maiden Mother Matriarch podcast was a DELIGHT.)
June 20, 2024
I’m not exactly the demographic that was the focus of the research in this book - I have the five kids but not the college degree. And I can see that it might not be the best book for everyone to read, if you are dealing with infertility or not in a place to consider having more children. I also thought some things were overstated, particularly in the last couple of chapters. But I loved hearing all the women’s stories and I think the overarching message of the great value of children and the necessity of sacrificing other goods for that more important good is much needed today.
June 15, 2024
I was so excited to read this book! As a practicing Catholic and new young Mom, this book was right up my alley. I thought the start of the book (in which the author described neo-Malthusian ideas) was brilliant. However, the rest of the book is mostly interviews with mothers-of-many copied almost verbatim, complete with ums, ahs, and half-formed ideas. As another reviewer noted, the interviews become really repetitive.
Also, I’ll admit that some of the rhetoric in this book made me uncomfortable. One woman with ten children related asking her husband after a birth “how many more can we have?” While I do think large families are beautiful and worth celebrating, I do think there comes a point where having more and more children becomes myopic and potentially unfair to the existing kids, and to be frank, I think some women in this book were skirting that line. Many women seemed to take the position that more is always better, even after health crises or mental health challenges.
Overall, this book contained a lot of good insights. Even though I’m Catholic, I found that the most sagacious points came from the Jewish women interviewed. However, I think the interviews should have been more streamlined and cleaned up. The takeaways from the interviews were often repetitive and vague. An interesting work for sure!
Also, I’ll admit that some of the rhetoric in this book made me uncomfortable. One woman with ten children related asking her husband after a birth “how many more can we have?” While I do think large families are beautiful and worth celebrating, I do think there comes a point where having more and more children becomes myopic and potentially unfair to the existing kids, and to be frank, I think some women in this book were skirting that line. Many women seemed to take the position that more is always better, even after health crises or mental health challenges.
Overall, this book contained a lot of good insights. Even though I’m Catholic, I found that the most sagacious points came from the Jewish women interviewed. However, I think the interviews should have been more streamlined and cleaned up. The takeaways from the interviews were often repetitive and vague. An interesting work for sure!
October 1, 2024
Hannah's Children really got me out of my ideological echo chamber. I really liked hearing the different women’s perspectives on the benefits of having children, and the meaning it brings to our lives. I’m grateful to the author for conducting this research into a realm that is understudied if not completely ignored, and the book definitely helped me grapple with explanations for the low birth rate in developed countries.
More personally, it helped me to articulate my own reasons for having kids, such as the idea that having children connects us to our ancestors like an "infinite chain" of humanity; that it's empowering and downright magical to create another life; that true satisfaction in life comes from giving ("give and you shall receive") and raising children is the ultimate test in how much we are willing to give; that having children brings meaning and purpose to our lives; and, appealing to my animist/pagan side, that it's an animal and bodily instinct that feels right to listen to.
With all of that said, I had serious issues with the quality of some of the author’s arguments. She implies that feminism is to blame for low birth rates. Not only do I disagree, the argument that women entering the workforce is a problem for birth rates ignores the real culprit, which is capitalism, and the assertion in our culture that care work is not economically valuable while making money outside the home is. In addition, the fact that she has eight children yet works as a successful academic while making this argument strikes me as hypocritical.
Also, it bothers me that all the religious women profiled are Christian and Jewish-- there are zero Muslim women discussed. It is a glaring omission, and speaks to the white-centric nature of the research.
There are plenty more ideological points on which I disagree with the author (such as her argument for less separation between church and state)-- but that's to be expected. Overall, I haven't read such a provocative book in a very long time. It helped me immensely to engage with aspects of motherhood I'd only thought about superficially. It was a great addition to the intellectual examination of motherhood I've low-key been on since the births of my children. I definitely would recommend this read to people on either side of the political spectrum.
More personally, it helped me to articulate my own reasons for having kids, such as the idea that having children connects us to our ancestors like an "infinite chain" of humanity; that it's empowering and downright magical to create another life; that true satisfaction in life comes from giving ("give and you shall receive") and raising children is the ultimate test in how much we are willing to give; that having children brings meaning and purpose to our lives; and, appealing to my animist/pagan side, that it's an animal and bodily instinct that feels right to listen to.
With all of that said, I had serious issues with the quality of some of the author’s arguments. She implies that feminism is to blame for low birth rates. Not only do I disagree, the argument that women entering the workforce is a problem for birth rates ignores the real culprit, which is capitalism, and the assertion in our culture that care work is not economically valuable while making money outside the home is. In addition, the fact that she has eight children yet works as a successful academic while making this argument strikes me as hypocritical.
Also, it bothers me that all the religious women profiled are Christian and Jewish-- there are zero Muslim women discussed. It is a glaring omission, and speaks to the white-centric nature of the research.
There are plenty more ideological points on which I disagree with the author (such as her argument for less separation between church and state)-- but that's to be expected. Overall, I haven't read such a provocative book in a very long time. It helped me immensely to engage with aspects of motherhood I'd only thought about superficially. It was a great addition to the intellectual examination of motherhood I've low-key been on since the births of my children. I definitely would recommend this read to people on either side of the political spectrum.
September 4, 2024
She really lost me on the LAST page of this book where she calls public education “a government cartel designed to compete against religious schools,” BUT overall an interesting read.
This book is the culmination of the author’s research on women with college degrees who chose to have 5+ children (many have 7+). She concludes that the reason birth rates are low are due to a lack of value placed on children, particularly outside religious communities, and that those in religious communities are more likely to value children for xyz reason. Makes sense.
Though understandably outside of the scope of her research, I wish the book had addressed more about the financial situation of these families and how finances play a part in large families. It is quite obvious that although evidence may not point to tax credits/economic subsidies increasing the birth rate, a good many of her interviewees had a certain level of wealth. Additionally, I’d be interested to read some negative experiences of children/siblings in large families.
Because the author herself is Catholic and has a large family (which she acknowledges), it also felt biased and in some parts she seemed to make assumptions that were not clearly derived from her interviews.
I, too, value children, but probably not enough to have 8 of them! :)
This book is the culmination of the author’s research on women with college degrees who chose to have 5+ children (many have 7+). She concludes that the reason birth rates are low are due to a lack of value placed on children, particularly outside religious communities, and that those in religious communities are more likely to value children for xyz reason. Makes sense.
Though understandably outside of the scope of her research, I wish the book had addressed more about the financial situation of these families and how finances play a part in large families. It is quite obvious that although evidence may not point to tax credits/economic subsidies increasing the birth rate, a good many of her interviewees had a certain level of wealth. Additionally, I’d be interested to read some negative experiences of children/siblings in large families.
Because the author herself is Catholic and has a large family (which she acknowledges), it also felt biased and in some parts she seemed to make assumptions that were not clearly derived from her interviews.
I, too, value children, but probably not enough to have 8 of them! :)
July 2, 2024
Oh wow, this was so good. So many different parts of me and my life (past and present) came to my attention while reading, which caused many tears (for both grief and gladness).
I don’t know what else I would say…
It’s a beautiful book, and awfully well-written.
Without going into specifics, it has helped me sort through some inner things, and helped me to feel more settled.
I highly recommend.
I don’t know what else I would say…
It’s a beautiful book, and awfully well-written.
Without going into specifics, it has helped me sort through some inner things, and helped me to feel more settled.
I highly recommend.
October 3, 2024
Religious propaganda masquerading as research. But I did appreciate hearing their individual stories; there is definitely a dearth of voices in this arena. More to come later.
March 20, 2025
This is a very difficult book to review. I think in some ways I’m not the right audience for this book, even though I’m a young religious twenty-something first time mom with a masters degree and a hope for four or five kids. So maybe I’m exactly the right audience for this book?
To start with the objective qualities, this was a well conceived if not perfectly executed book. I have a soft spot for qualitative research, and this was an excellent choice. There was some extrapolation and bias. The analysis from an economic perspective, and of economic dynamics surrounding birth rates and incentives was fascinating and likely very important. On that alone it ought to have four stars.
On a personal note, I was surprised to find myself spiritually enriched by this book. I deeply appreciated the voices and ideas of some of these women, and found myself reflecting on their words in my own life and parenting. There is deep beauty, richness, virtue, and maturity to be found in parenting, and our culture IS blind and hostile to this in many ways. While not all people are called to have children, it is far too normalized; we have lost perspective of children as a marker for human flourishing. Biologically, when a species stops reproducing, it is a red flag of massive proportions. We are right to worry ourselves over this, and those of us who are capable and called ought be willing to be challenged.
All that being said, I struggled with deep anger at some of the narratives and ideas shared in this book, primarily by the subjects though not disputed by the primary author and researcher. I know far too many now-adult children of large religious families who hold deep wounds and dysfunctions brought about by their parents’ lack of wise stewardship of their fertility- wounds and dysfunctions that have led most (if not all) of them to vow off ever having their own children. I know far too many young couples being fed lies by the religio-cultural right about what is best for them regarding their fertility and having children at a willfully breakneck pace. As a mental health profession, my heart hurt to hear some of the beliefs and family dynamics mistakenly being shared as healthy and Godly. While children are a great great good, that does not mean it is always wise to have as many as you’d personally prefer, and while parenting demands a beautiful sacrifice, it is also possible to have many children for selfish (and not sacrificial) reasons. I believe in faith AND reason, which not only allows but demands prudent and active stewarding of fertility. While perhaps it was out of scope of this project (I suspect not), I wish there had been even a hint of acknowledgement of the potential unhealthy dynamics and motivations of religious circles with big families. At least for my generation, this is a very pertinent and very under-discussed dynamic that leads many away from having large families. I suspect this is a blind spot of bias on the researchers’ parts.
Overall, I was struck by how many of the stated benefits of a large family were likely benefits that were meant to come from a close (emotionally and physically) community, or “the village”. I think many of these families have substituted having eight children to meet the wide range of social/emotional/spiritual needs that would have been met by cousins, aunts, grandparents, friends. This is very clever, and not necessarily the wrong answer to a world where our appropriate levels of community are nearly impossible to achieve. It still breaks my heart to see more over-glorification of the nuclear family, often at the expense of women and children, that misses the root need of a large and very involved village.
This is an important, if imperfect, book. The experiential read may be a bit challenging.
To start with the objective qualities, this was a well conceived if not perfectly executed book. I have a soft spot for qualitative research, and this was an excellent choice. There was some extrapolation and bias. The analysis from an economic perspective, and of economic dynamics surrounding birth rates and incentives was fascinating and likely very important. On that alone it ought to have four stars.
On a personal note, I was surprised to find myself spiritually enriched by this book. I deeply appreciated the voices and ideas of some of these women, and found myself reflecting on their words in my own life and parenting. There is deep beauty, richness, virtue, and maturity to be found in parenting, and our culture IS blind and hostile to this in many ways. While not all people are called to have children, it is far too normalized; we have lost perspective of children as a marker for human flourishing. Biologically, when a species stops reproducing, it is a red flag of massive proportions. We are right to worry ourselves over this, and those of us who are capable and called ought be willing to be challenged.
All that being said, I struggled with deep anger at some of the narratives and ideas shared in this book, primarily by the subjects though not disputed by the primary author and researcher. I know far too many now-adult children of large religious families who hold deep wounds and dysfunctions brought about by their parents’ lack of wise stewardship of their fertility- wounds and dysfunctions that have led most (if not all) of them to vow off ever having their own children. I know far too many young couples being fed lies by the religio-cultural right about what is best for them regarding their fertility and having children at a willfully breakneck pace. As a mental health profession, my heart hurt to hear some of the beliefs and family dynamics mistakenly being shared as healthy and Godly. While children are a great great good, that does not mean it is always wise to have as many as you’d personally prefer, and while parenting demands a beautiful sacrifice, it is also possible to have many children for selfish (and not sacrificial) reasons. I believe in faith AND reason, which not only allows but demands prudent and active stewarding of fertility. While perhaps it was out of scope of this project (I suspect not), I wish there had been even a hint of acknowledgement of the potential unhealthy dynamics and motivations of religious circles with big families. At least for my generation, this is a very pertinent and very under-discussed dynamic that leads many away from having large families. I suspect this is a blind spot of bias on the researchers’ parts.
Overall, I was struck by how many of the stated benefits of a large family were likely benefits that were meant to come from a close (emotionally and physically) community, or “the village”. I think many of these families have substituted having eight children to meet the wide range of social/emotional/spiritual needs that would have been met by cousins, aunts, grandparents, friends. This is very clever, and not necessarily the wrong answer to a world where our appropriate levels of community are nearly impossible to achieve. It still breaks my heart to see more over-glorification of the nuclear family, often at the expense of women and children, that misses the root need of a large and very involved village.
This is an important, if imperfect, book. The experiential read may be a bit challenging.
January 12, 2025
It’s hard to explain in words the way this book has impacted me. God has used it to help me see in a greater light the blessing that children are. Yes, as Christians we believe that they are a blessing from God but subconsciously we could be holding reservations or believe LIES from the toxic and feminist propaganda we have grown up with, which have led us to the anxious, depressed, childless, lonely, and godless society we live in… okay I digress. Although the book looks at women with big families, it has been so encouraging for me (a mom of 2). I feel more secure and excited about the call that God has given me as a mom. I’m no longer wishing for a specific number but simply open to whatever God has for us as a family with regards to children.
Some things (lies) that I’m glad she addressed/debunked were: overpopulation, kids being expensive, people are bad for this world, “losing yourself” in motherhood, kids make marriage harder and causes divorce, and others I already can’t remember haha
There were many funny and wonderful stories but the ones I found the most moving were those showing how babies can help people heal emotionally, overcome hardships, tragedy, or bring families together, almost as if they were therapeutic. God’s design is truly beautiful, mysterious, and wonderful.
I RECOMMEND!
Listened on Spotify. Narration was great!
Some things (lies) that I’m glad she addressed/debunked were: overpopulation, kids being expensive, people are bad for this world, “losing yourself” in motherhood, kids make marriage harder and causes divorce, and others I already can’t remember haha
There were many funny and wonderful stories but the ones I found the most moving were those showing how babies can help people heal emotionally, overcome hardships, tragedy, or bring families together, almost as if they were therapeutic. God’s design is truly beautiful, mysterious, and wonderful.
I RECOMMEND!
Listened on Spotify. Narration was great!
December 24, 2024
This was interesting, and in some ways very encouraging. As a mom of five, I could relate to many of the women interviewed. I especially loved the story of the mom who had a child with special needs whose older (and younger) siblings helped tremendously with their physical therapy. Our special needs daughter's PTs have often commented that her older siblings are the best form of therapy for her! What a beautiful affirmation. But not only were many of the interviews repetitive, but the author's summary conclusions throughout the book were extremely redundant. At the end of the day, this was a twelve-hour audiobook that said the same thing over and over. I might recommend it to a young woman discussing family with a fiance or husband, because it does make a beautiful case for large families (particularly if one parent stays home with the children), but I would tell her that a few chapters would be sufficient to get the drift of the book.
I found encouragement in hearing how many other women see their large families as good, as I do mine. But I definitely had questions that this doesn't really address. How feasible is it, actually, to work full-time and have 5+ kids? She mentions that the general entrance of women into the workforce has served to lower the national birth rate across the world. So why doesn't she spend more time asking how full-time working moms with big families actually do this? One woman mentions being able to work as a pediatrician two days a week while her husband stays home with the kids, but how do they live on a part-time pediatrician's salary? For the full-time wohms whose husbands also work (like the author), who is actually raising the children? I was sitting at a party a couple weeks ago with a friend who is also friends with the author, and she affirmed that the author herself has always worked and entered marriage with six kids from her husband's first marriage, so this question should have been on her radar. We discussed another mutual friend who is one of the top four women in her field, nationally, and whose large family size was criticized when she was in the process of acquiring her current job. What is less known is that she has an unmarried family member living with them to care for the kids, so essentially they're a 3-parent household. If having another adult living with you to do the traditional mother activities is how working moms of many do this successfully, why doesn't the author even mention this scenario? By not even asking the question of the working moms in her study, the author misses an opportunity.
I agree with the value of letting children have the gift of responsibility in the home, and I even agree that this may help fight against many of the mental health issues of adolescence, but she doesn't even mention the phenomenon of parentification of oldest daughters in big families, and I know *many* of those young women from my homeschool circles who ended up walking away from their faith and/or choosing not to have children. My husband and I talk about this all the time as we discern how to raise our children--we believe children are a blessing, but also that grandchildren are a blessing, and we want to make sure our children are not turned off to having good sized families, themselves, like so many of my peers have been. Why did she not mention even a single mother of many whose older children resent her decisions or who has seen those struggles stemming from her constant pregnancies? Why doesn't she acknowledge this as a potential struggle and explore how the moms in her study ensured that they weren't offloading too much in their eldest daughters? Many mothers of few have resentful children and struggles, so I am not saying that big families are unique in these challenges. But because she ignores the potential spiritual and relational downsides of large families, I find this work unrealistically rosy.
I found encouragement in hearing how many other women see their large families as good, as I do mine. But I definitely had questions that this doesn't really address. How feasible is it, actually, to work full-time and have 5+ kids? She mentions that the general entrance of women into the workforce has served to lower the national birth rate across the world. So why doesn't she spend more time asking how full-time working moms with big families actually do this? One woman mentions being able to work as a pediatrician two days a week while her husband stays home with the kids, but how do they live on a part-time pediatrician's salary? For the full-time wohms whose husbands also work (like the author), who is actually raising the children? I was sitting at a party a couple weeks ago with a friend who is also friends with the author, and she affirmed that the author herself has always worked and entered marriage with six kids from her husband's first marriage, so this question should have been on her radar. We discussed another mutual friend who is one of the top four women in her field, nationally, and whose large family size was criticized when she was in the process of acquiring her current job. What is less known is that she has an unmarried family member living with them to care for the kids, so essentially they're a 3-parent household. If having another adult living with you to do the traditional mother activities is how working moms of many do this successfully, why doesn't the author even mention this scenario? By not even asking the question of the working moms in her study, the author misses an opportunity.
I agree with the value of letting children have the gift of responsibility in the home, and I even agree that this may help fight against many of the mental health issues of adolescence, but she doesn't even mention the phenomenon of parentification of oldest daughters in big families, and I know *many* of those young women from my homeschool circles who ended up walking away from their faith and/or choosing not to have children. My husband and I talk about this all the time as we discern how to raise our children--we believe children are a blessing, but also that grandchildren are a blessing, and we want to make sure our children are not turned off to having good sized families, themselves, like so many of my peers have been. Why did she not mention even a single mother of many whose older children resent her decisions or who has seen those struggles stemming from her constant pregnancies? Why doesn't she acknowledge this as a potential struggle and explore how the moms in her study ensured that they weren't offloading too much in their eldest daughters? Many mothers of few have resentful children and struggles, so I am not saying that big families are unique in these challenges. But because she ignores the potential spiritual and relational downsides of large families, I find this work unrealistically rosy.
November 11, 2024
I had a hard time choosing between 3 and 4 stars for this book. Not because I didn’t like the thesis of the book and the awareness this book beautifully brings to society’s attention, but because a lot of the women being interviewed didn’t have strong, biblical reasons for having a lot children. Almost all the women ended their interviews saying that they love their big families but that it’s not for everyone, which undermined the reasons they gave for having a big family. It’s ok to have a strong view that applies for all people. I did love the author’s intent of the book and the stark reality she puts in front of your face about the birth dirth.
I did appreciate that almost all the women interviewed said resoundingly that children are a blessing from God, because I couldn’t agree more. I do wish the author interviewed more Protestants; I recall only two in the book. The rest were Mormons and Catholics.
Reading this book has given me new questions to ask mothers who have large families and how they are passing that on to their children. I am the youngest of 7 children and I am the only child of my parents who desires a large family. This book has challenged my reasoning for wanting a large family and to make sure my answers are grounded biblically and not just because I want it in the moment since that desire could vanish if the Lord gives us more children.
I did appreciate that almost all the women interviewed said resoundingly that children are a blessing from God, because I couldn’t agree more. I do wish the author interviewed more Protestants; I recall only two in the book. The rest were Mormons and Catholics.
Reading this book has given me new questions to ask mothers who have large families and how they are passing that on to their children. I am the youngest of 7 children and I am the only child of my parents who desires a large family. This book has challenged my reasoning for wanting a large family and to make sure my answers are grounded biblically and not just because I want it in the moment since that desire could vanish if the Lord gives us more children.
September 18, 2024
I meant to read this book alongside Caleb, but cruised through it leaving him behind on page 100…
one of the most memorable quotes is something along the lines of… “when I was younger, I thought I was doing something great for God by having all these children. Now I can see that really God was doing something great for me”..
This book has changed the way I view my motherhood. It felt like sitting down with women who have valued children above all else and asking “why?”. Why give up advances in your career, why give up sleep and time alone, why give up material goods, why give up your very self, your identity? Their answers were beautiful, thought provoking, and inspiring. Pakaluk looks at these women’s answers through an economic lens, hoping to provide answers to how we can increase childbearing in our world. And no, it’s not by a child tax credit, nor by free IVF.. shocking.
one of the most memorable quotes is something along the lines of… “when I was younger, I thought I was doing something great for God by having all these children. Now I can see that really God was doing something great for me”..
This book has changed the way I view my motherhood. It felt like sitting down with women who have valued children above all else and asking “why?”. Why give up advances in your career, why give up sleep and time alone, why give up material goods, why give up your very self, your identity? Their answers were beautiful, thought provoking, and inspiring. Pakaluk looks at these women’s answers through an economic lens, hoping to provide answers to how we can increase childbearing in our world. And no, it’s not by a child tax credit, nor by free IVF.. shocking.
March 14, 2025
I enjoyed this and am thankful to have read it, though it’s challenging to put my thoughts on the topic into words. I have a lot in common with the women interviewed and shared many of their experiences and opinions as a fellow mother of many. There were many beautiful, encouraging sentiments and even some challenges to my own thinking on large family life.
Perhaps I am just left a bit grieved by the conclusion that the fate of the birth rate rises and falls on a small amount of religious women? That is kind of intense to think about. A more hopeful conclusion, and hopefully the one that will stick with me, is that with God identified as the One compelling faithful parents to have children, we can be sure more children will come. God is faithful to his purposes in the world, he is at work among his people, he cares more deeply about the fate of this world than any of us ever could.
Maybe the best take away for the Christian reader here is to keep our ears tuned to the Holy Spirit and stay open to his leadership in the area of childbearing and family size as it might apply in each person’s life. Stay open in faith and be unafraid of the ways the world will attempt to dissuade you. Believe that God will provide more than we can ask or think. Think often on the myriad joys and blessings of life among many and believe in the great value of raising children, that we might be a people who are always extending the table for one more when the opportunity is there.
Perhaps I am just left a bit grieved by the conclusion that the fate of the birth rate rises and falls on a small amount of religious women? That is kind of intense to think about. A more hopeful conclusion, and hopefully the one that will stick with me, is that with God identified as the One compelling faithful parents to have children, we can be sure more children will come. God is faithful to his purposes in the world, he is at work among his people, he cares more deeply about the fate of this world than any of us ever could.
Maybe the best take away for the Christian reader here is to keep our ears tuned to the Holy Spirit and stay open to his leadership in the area of childbearing and family size as it might apply in each person’s life. Stay open in faith and be unafraid of the ways the world will attempt to dissuade you. Believe that God will provide more than we can ask or think. Think often on the myriad joys and blessings of life among many and believe in the great value of raising children, that we might be a people who are always extending the table for one more when the opportunity is there.
October 9, 2024
The stories in the book were interesting, and it does portray a population that does not get talked about much. But while I enjoyed some of this, I really couldn't stomach the way in which it drew conclusions from the stories.. at first I thought the book was not very rigorous and the author a bit too biased.. by the end I was convinced it was religious propaganda trying (not even too hard) to look like research.
May 22, 2025
This book has had a profound impact on how I think about the value of children and specially, the value of having a large family. The author interviewed dozens of mothers with 5 or more children and distilled her qualitative research into this book. Her goal being to understand why Americans are having so few children (the average birth rate is currently below replacement rate). But more importantly, why these women are choosing to defy the American norm and have many children.
My most significant takeaway from this book is how these mothers capitalized on the blessing, not the hardship, of children. They saw children as a gift from God and a priceless blessing. “Who would want to say no to a gift?” they said. These women did not define motherhood by how hard it is, as our culture seems to define it. Having a large family is labeled as too hard, inconvenient, irresponsible, and requiring too much sacrifice. But of course “hardness“ is a given, that is part of the territory of having a large family (anything worthwhile is going to be hard). For these women, however, the blessing, benefit, joy, and privilege of having many children outweighed the cost. They saw their large families are a joyous blessing and having a positive impact on their marriages, their children, and society.
Coming from a family of 10 kids, I see the wonderful fruit of many children that is presented over and over in this book. Having large families is good for us, the parents. It requires us to grow up and meet the needs of our children day after day after day for many years. That kind of long-term giving of yourself is bound to produce good fruit and virtue. It requires parents to live for “the other” instead of pursuing their own dreams and passions exclusively. It makes us more selfless, more like Christ. Having many siblings is good for the children. It helps to shape their character and virtues in ways that would be difficult or impossible otherwise. It teaches them, among so many other things, that the world does not revolve around them. They often feel more useful and needed because being a part of a large family, their contribution IS needed!
She discusses how overpopulation is a myth and how pro-natalist incentive policies are not actually going to motivate people to have more children. What motivated almost all of these mothers to have many children was faith in God, something bigger than themselves, a deep calling and purpose. Because having many children requires so much sacrifice, they were motivated by the desire to serve and give, to receive more gifts (children), and fulfill their God-given purpose as mothers. God is the one who plants these kinds of desires and gives the grace and strength to die to self, grow in capacity, and faithfully raise many children!
This book was so encouraging and edifying in my daily parenting efforts and reinforced the purpose and impact of my role. The Lord also used it to show me where I have sneaky pockets of wrong thinking about children. Every woman should read this book—if you don’t want kids, if you want just one or two, or if you what a big family. But be warned, you may want to have 8 kids after reading it. :)
Listened.
My most significant takeaway from this book is how these mothers capitalized on the blessing, not the hardship, of children. They saw children as a gift from God and a priceless blessing. “Who would want to say no to a gift?” they said. These women did not define motherhood by how hard it is, as our culture seems to define it. Having a large family is labeled as too hard, inconvenient, irresponsible, and requiring too much sacrifice. But of course “hardness“ is a given, that is part of the territory of having a large family (anything worthwhile is going to be hard). For these women, however, the blessing, benefit, joy, and privilege of having many children outweighed the cost. They saw their large families are a joyous blessing and having a positive impact on their marriages, their children, and society.
Coming from a family of 10 kids, I see the wonderful fruit of many children that is presented over and over in this book. Having large families is good for us, the parents. It requires us to grow up and meet the needs of our children day after day after day for many years. That kind of long-term giving of yourself is bound to produce good fruit and virtue. It requires parents to live for “the other” instead of pursuing their own dreams and passions exclusively. It makes us more selfless, more like Christ. Having many siblings is good for the children. It helps to shape their character and virtues in ways that would be difficult or impossible otherwise. It teaches them, among so many other things, that the world does not revolve around them. They often feel more useful and needed because being a part of a large family, their contribution IS needed!
She discusses how overpopulation is a myth and how pro-natalist incentive policies are not actually going to motivate people to have more children. What motivated almost all of these mothers to have many children was faith in God, something bigger than themselves, a deep calling and purpose. Because having many children requires so much sacrifice, they were motivated by the desire to serve and give, to receive more gifts (children), and fulfill their God-given purpose as mothers. God is the one who plants these kinds of desires and gives the grace and strength to die to self, grow in capacity, and faithfully raise many children!
This book was so encouraging and edifying in my daily parenting efforts and reinforced the purpose and impact of my role. The Lord also used it to show me where I have sneaky pockets of wrong thinking about children. Every woman should read this book—if you don’t want kids, if you want just one or two, or if you what a big family. But be warned, you may want to have 8 kids after reading it. :)
Listened.
February 12, 2025
Every mother should read this. There’s so much to say… what a fascinating account of the manifold benefits of large families from the perspective on an economist, of all things. Her conclusion: if governments want to incentivize women to have more children (which, economically, desperately needs to happen), the government really must support traditional religious structures (Christianity, Judaism, and Mormonism feature heavily in this book). Religion alone is the motivation a woman needs to forgo the potential cost of having more children. Women make the ultimate sacrifice for God and for Love, not for extra cash during tax return season.
As a side benefit this book is so edifying for me as a young mother in the chaotic years of “three kids three and under.” Hearing story after story of families (of all faiths, shapes, spacing, work statuses, you name it) who unwaveringly laud the blessing of each child, despite difficulties and hardships, is exactly what I need to hear. The women they interviewed have the same vision for life: children are good, families are good, God has a plan, and it’s better than my original plan!
As a side benefit this book is so edifying for me as a young mother in the chaotic years of “three kids three and under.” Hearing story after story of families (of all faiths, shapes, spacing, work statuses, you name it) who unwaveringly laud the blessing of each child, despite difficulties and hardships, is exactly what I need to hear. The women they interviewed have the same vision for life: children are good, families are good, God has a plan, and it’s better than my original plan!
May 16, 2024
This book covers a very interesting topic. It is chalked full of narratives of college-educated women from a variety of backgrounds and religions who chose to have five or more children. The author ties in economics, theology, politics, and identity to understand the “why” behind childbearing.
I didn’t find the book to be heavy-handed or shaming towards women who choose to have fewer children or cannot have children. I found it to be incredibly uplifting to hear from so many different women who see the deep value in their role and vocation as a mother. I was inspired. Not necessarily inspired to have 10 children, but definitely inspired by the wisdom, grace, and joy displayed by the mothers who were interviewed here.
I didn’t find the book to be heavy-handed or shaming towards women who choose to have fewer children or cannot have children. I found it to be incredibly uplifting to hear from so many different women who see the deep value in their role and vocation as a mother. I was inspired. Not necessarily inspired to have 10 children, but definitely inspired by the wisdom, grace, and joy displayed by the mothers who were interviewed here.
April 1, 2024
I loved this so much! All the moms in here were so nice and sounded just like my mom and her friends. SO inspiring!!!
January 20, 2025
This book is a GIFT to the world where it’s abnormal to choose to have more than 2 children! Children are a BLESSING and Catherine did a remarkable job at capturing the stories of mothers who chose devoting themselves to having a big family instead of having successful careers. I just loved hearing the joy they had when they found out they were going to have another baby, even if it was their 10th. She also points out the beauty that comes from being a part of a big family and having tons of siblings. Such a BEAUTIFUL book.
May 23, 2025
This was really well written, such a refreshing perspective. I love being apart of a big family so it was neat to really explore the positives of having one. I think maybe it missed some of the challenges that also come with being in a big family - but that wasn’t really the point of the book, so anyways!
October 14, 2024
I came to this book from its coverage in The New Yorker, which perhaps in itself explains my one-star review to those who have read the book.
The book utterly lacks rigor. In the few places she makes any attempt at inquiry into the larger societal questions around the decisions of these women and their less-prolific counterparts, she delves precisely enough to support her point and then stops abruptly, leaving glaring considerations unmentioned and unexplored. The project is conceptually interesting and even potentially important, but the book is tedious and intellectually dishonest.
The book utterly lacks rigor. In the few places she makes any attempt at inquiry into the larger societal questions around the decisions of these women and their less-prolific counterparts, she delves precisely enough to support her point and then stops abruptly, leaving glaring considerations unmentioned and unexplored. The project is conceptually interesting and even potentially important, but the book is tedious and intellectually dishonest.
December 3, 2024
Really really loved this! This author researched why women are choosing to have lots of kids in a culture where the average kids per family is less than the replacement rate. Specifically, she interviewed women in the US with college degrees and 5 or more children. Reading/hearing their stories (so similar to mine - religious, master’s degree, only 4 kids for me though!) was SO encouraging! I laughed, I cried, I “amen!”ed. I even tried (and failed) to convince my husband to reverse his..*ahem*.
The interviews themselves were great but I also loved the researcher’s conclusions and especially her answer to the birth dearth problem of our nation - and it’s clearly not monetary incentives. The best thing (the author argues) that our government can do to get families bigger is to strengthen religious freedom and specifically religious education(!!!!)
How’d she get there? Some of the women interviewed were working full-time, some part-time, some not at all. Some were black, some white, some Asian-American, some Hispanic. Some middle class, some close to the poverty line and some very affluent. What did they all have in common? These women were all deeply religious - Jewish, Catholic, Mormon or Protestant. Bottom line: to not mind being counter-cultural, you need a bigger purpose.
She made so many other astute observations that were just so good.
I promise I didn’t spoil the book for you. If you’re a mom of a bigger family I hope you’ll read it and be as deeply encouraged as I am. Or listen - audiobook narration is fantastic.
The interviews themselves were great but I also loved the researcher’s conclusions and especially her answer to the birth dearth problem of our nation - and it’s clearly not monetary incentives. The best thing (the author argues) that our government can do to get families bigger is to strengthen religious freedom and specifically religious education(!!!!)
How’d she get there? Some of the women interviewed were working full-time, some part-time, some not at all. Some were black, some white, some Asian-American, some Hispanic. Some middle class, some close to the poverty line and some very affluent. What did they all have in common? These women were all deeply religious - Jewish, Catholic, Mormon or Protestant. Bottom line: to not mind being counter-cultural, you need a bigger purpose.
She made so many other astute observations that were just so good.
I promise I didn’t spoil the book for you. If you’re a mom of a bigger family I hope you’ll read it and be as deeply encouraged as I am. Or listen - audiobook narration is fantastic.
August 8, 2025
dnf at 75%.
I REALLY wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, especially as someone who deeply values family and children. I was intrigued because it was marketed as a survey into large families in America and the statistics behind why birth rates are failing. While some of the book was factually informative, the remainder of it was mostly rose-colored anecdotes and cheery, idealistic stories from mothers with lots of children. The women that were interviewed were virtually all extremely similar. They were all Christian or Jewish, upper/middle class, highly educated, stay at home mothers and wives to super involved husbands who made motherhood look like a breeze and often believed and stated that “saying no to more children was saying no to God”.
All in all, the book seemed like poorly researched, biased, and overly optimistic anecdotes masked as statistical evidence. The writing itself was also rather poor; the book felt all over the place and the interviews in the text were word for word transcripts from the actual interviews which made the reading feel cumbersome. I did, however, appreciate the sections of text which covered the philosophy and modernism which propels a society with fewer children. I appreciate the author’s heart for children and families and I agree with her that marriage and family are the center of the success of society and that in general, there should be more babies! I just didn’t think that her using really rosy stories from a handful of economically and religiously similar women to try and convey that was the way to go.
I REALLY wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, especially as someone who deeply values family and children. I was intrigued because it was marketed as a survey into large families in America and the statistics behind why birth rates are failing. While some of the book was factually informative, the remainder of it was mostly rose-colored anecdotes and cheery, idealistic stories from mothers with lots of children. The women that were interviewed were virtually all extremely similar. They were all Christian or Jewish, upper/middle class, highly educated, stay at home mothers and wives to super involved husbands who made motherhood look like a breeze and often believed and stated that “saying no to more children was saying no to God”.
All in all, the book seemed like poorly researched, biased, and overly optimistic anecdotes masked as statistical evidence. The writing itself was also rather poor; the book felt all over the place and the interviews in the text were word for word transcripts from the actual interviews which made the reading feel cumbersome. I did, however, appreciate the sections of text which covered the philosophy and modernism which propels a society with fewer children. I appreciate the author’s heart for children and families and I agree with her that marriage and family are the center of the success of society and that in general, there should be more babies! I just didn’t think that her using really rosy stories from a handful of economically and religiously similar women to try and convey that was the way to go.
December 9, 2024
Overall entertaining. Why entertaining? Since I know many families with 5+ kids, the set of women interviewed didn’t say much that was surprising or new, because I’ve already heard and seen it in real time. Nevertheless, I enjoyed hearing their stories and seeing the various nuances in their lives. I truly loved hearing other women express how much they loved their kids and saw them as wonderful to have in the world. I loved hearing how motherhood was so important and that children need their moms. I also could relate to being college educated (all women interviewed had at least a bachelor’s degree) and seeing how there is so much value that can be added to your mothering with the education you’ve been afforded. I view my own pre-marriage and pre-children days with gratitude because I see how I can now apply certain skills and knowledge to being a better mother and wife. Don’t take seasons of life for granted.
I’m in the group of people reading this book without 5 or more children but is open to it, should it be within the Lord’s providence. I also know there are many women out there who don’t end up with many, and in some case any children at all. And that’s been true throughout the history of the world. Just because you want x number of children doesn’t mean you get them all. That sounds painfully obvious, but it can be a very heartbreaking reality to face for many people. Then there is the pain of having and losing…
The number of children you have or don’t have doesn’t determine your worth. If you see the value of children and families while having fewer than 5 yourself, then you’ll find yourself sharing much in common with these women. If it’s a pain point in your life that you haven’t had your desired amount for whatever reasons, some of their comments in the interviews may be unhelpful and painful to hear.
These women interviewed have been open to many blessings, and they have been abundantly blessed! There wasn’t any mention of serious pregnancy or birth complications besides a woman who had a heart issue in her last pregnancy leading to a heart attack. After that they had no more pregnancies. I was hoping there would be more details from women about overcoming difficult births and going on to have more children. Instead, almost all interviewees mentioned having easy pregnancies and non-complicated births.
I’m in the group of people reading this book without 5 or more children but is open to it, should it be within the Lord’s providence. I also know there are many women out there who don’t end up with many, and in some case any children at all. And that’s been true throughout the history of the world. Just because you want x number of children doesn’t mean you get them all. That sounds painfully obvious, but it can be a very heartbreaking reality to face for many people. Then there is the pain of having and losing…
The number of children you have or don’t have doesn’t determine your worth. If you see the value of children and families while having fewer than 5 yourself, then you’ll find yourself sharing much in common with these women. If it’s a pain point in your life that you haven’t had your desired amount for whatever reasons, some of their comments in the interviews may be unhelpful and painful to hear.
These women interviewed have been open to many blessings, and they have been abundantly blessed! There wasn’t any mention of serious pregnancy or birth complications besides a woman who had a heart issue in her last pregnancy leading to a heart attack. After that they had no more pregnancies. I was hoping there would be more details from women about overcoming difficult births and going on to have more children. Instead, almost all interviewees mentioned having easy pregnancies and non-complicated births.
August 26, 2025
The theology in this book was not 100% in line with my own, but I loved the point the author was trying to make. People are choosing not to have kids because kids combat our selfishness. What if that’s the point?
June 16, 2025
3.8 stars
I put off reading this book for a long time. I have a lot of thoughts on this subject and frankly, thought it would make me too angry to read.
Given all that, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would.
The interviewee in chapter 17 was fascinating! I want to be her friend. Powerful example promoting the gift of having lots of children. Her story, and several others, were very inspiring to me, as a mom at the beginning of her childbearing years.
On the other hand, I got nauseous listening to the interview in chapter 16. What horrible things for a mother to say and believe! What a terrible husband and father, who this interviewee defends! If the author didn’t personally agree with this interviewee’s heinous opinions, she ought to have written some caveats or distanced herself from them more.
I don’t recommend the audiobook. The narrator is pretty awful. Every sentence is overly emotive, making the women sound like idiots. Some of these women are far too intelligent to be read in such a manner.
This book is filled with thought-provoking opinions, stats, and experiences. People should read it, if only as a conversation starter.
I put off reading this book for a long time. I have a lot of thoughts on this subject and frankly, thought it would make me too angry to read.
Given all that, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would.
The interviewee in chapter 17 was fascinating! I want to be her friend. Powerful example promoting the gift of having lots of children. Her story, and several others, were very inspiring to me, as a mom at the beginning of her childbearing years.
On the other hand, I got nauseous listening to the interview in chapter 16. What horrible things for a mother to say and believe! What a terrible husband and father, who this interviewee defends! If the author didn’t personally agree with this interviewee’s heinous opinions, she ought to have written some caveats or distanced herself from them more.
I don’t recommend the audiobook. The narrator is pretty awful. Every sentence is overly emotive, making the women sound like idiots. Some of these women are far too intelligent to be read in such a manner.
This book is filled with thought-provoking opinions, stats, and experiences. People should read it, if only as a conversation starter.
July 2, 2024
The author did her grad research on women who chose to have five or more children and specifically looked at their choice from an economic perspective. Considering that some countries are trying tax incentives or other economic perks for those who have children in these days of demographic winter (incentives that aren’t working to raise the birth rates), what motivates women to deny self and culture and choose motherhood?
It’s not lack of education. Many of these women (myself included) have a college degree, and some still work.
It’s not government incentives. That’s not long-lasting enough to have lasting impact on number of children; all that might affect is the timing of the births—people were already planning to have that one or those two children so they go ahead and do it now while the tax benefit is there.
Barring one outlier, all the women interviewed chose to have many children for religious motives. They believe children are valuable, and show it by the immense sacrifices they made personally—because “economically”speaking, the benefits outweighed the personal costs. The author discusses the many benefits these mothers listed.
This was an encouraging book. Of course I wholeheartedly agreed before even hearing the arguments, so I was a sympathetic audience. The book also clearly discusses how climate change and feminism have killed birth rates. But motherhood can be fulfilling and satisfying to a woman like no other work or position can, so why don’t the feminists allow this option if it makes a woman happy?
It’s not lack of education. Many of these women (myself included) have a college degree, and some still work.
It’s not government incentives. That’s not long-lasting enough to have lasting impact on number of children; all that might affect is the timing of the births—people were already planning to have that one or those two children so they go ahead and do it now while the tax benefit is there.
Barring one outlier, all the women interviewed chose to have many children for religious motives. They believe children are valuable, and show it by the immense sacrifices they made personally—because “economically”speaking, the benefits outweighed the personal costs. The author discusses the many benefits these mothers listed.
This was an encouraging book. Of course I wholeheartedly agreed before even hearing the arguments, so I was a sympathetic audience. The book also clearly discusses how climate change and feminism have killed birth rates. But motherhood can be fulfilling and satisfying to a woman like no other work or position can, so why don’t the feminists allow this option if it makes a woman happy?
August 26, 2024
I really enjoyed listening to this. Hearing from college-educated women with 5+ children about why they have the number of kids that they have was heartwarming, validating, and quite insightful. The women in this study truly love being mothers, and view raising their children as the highest good they can offer the world (and for many of them, the Lord). They discuss the cost/benefit of having children, and why they believe the birth rate has declined so drastically in America: we aren’t willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others.
I have a 10 month old, and hearing the stories of these women gave words to feelings I’ve had personally, but didn’t quite know how to express.
The other major theme in this book is that incentivizing fertility will not (and historically has never) fixed declining birth rates. Fascinating.
I do think this book could have been shorter and organized differently. It did seem repetitive at times, and like it couldn’t decide if it was a religious text or an economics book. But I’m happy to have read it!
I have a 10 month old, and hearing the stories of these women gave words to feelings I’ve had personally, but didn’t quite know how to express.
The other major theme in this book is that incentivizing fertility will not (and historically has never) fixed declining birth rates. Fascinating.
I do think this book could have been shorter and organized differently. It did seem repetitive at times, and like it couldn’t decide if it was a religious text or an economics book. But I’m happy to have read it!
October 8, 2024
I didn’t love this book.
I don’t plan on having 6+ kids or anything, but the book as a whole just wasn’t super compelling to me. 🤷🏻♀️ I read it after I saw someone post about reading it, and it piqued my curiosity.
Part of the thing I didn’t like was the interview structure. I listened on audio book (and I think I’d be just as annoyed reading it), but the interviews with the women were too casual. I wish those would have been cleaned up or summarized differently. Their sentences were transcribed EXACTLY as they must have been speaking (i.e. “like… ya know?” And “ums” and “uhs”).
The interviews were with women of all different faith backgrounds.
This book seemed like the author’s research but said research was 90% anecdotal interviews and less statistical data and economic impacts of big families/lots of kids.
I don’t plan on having 6+ kids or anything, but the book as a whole just wasn’t super compelling to me. 🤷🏻♀️ I read it after I saw someone post about reading it, and it piqued my curiosity.
Part of the thing I didn’t like was the interview structure. I listened on audio book (and I think I’d be just as annoyed reading it), but the interviews with the women were too casual. I wish those would have been cleaned up or summarized differently. Their sentences were transcribed EXACTLY as they must have been speaking (i.e. “like… ya know?” And “ums” and “uhs”).
The interviews were with women of all different faith backgrounds.
This book seemed like the author’s research but said research was 90% anecdotal interviews and less statistical data and economic impacts of big families/lots of kids.
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