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19th out of 21 books
—
11 voters
The Baby Boon: How Family-Friendly America Cheats the Childless
Who stays late at the office when Mom leaves for a soccer match? Whose dollars pay for the tax credits, childcare benefits, and school vouchers that only parents can utilize? Who is forced to take those undesirable weekend business trips that Dad refuses? The answer: Adults without children -- most of them women -- have shouldered more than their share of the cost of famil...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
April 5th 2002
by Free Press
(first published 2000)
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FUN FACT:
Before I bought this book, I went on Amazon to read reviews and this troll who goes by the name of Paul Gaboury, went on every single review and responded with this comment:
Initial post: Dec 3, 2006 4:06:46 PM PST
Paul Gaboury says:
My name is Paul Gaboury. The author, Elinor Burkett is my sister in law. Her characterization of my wife and our home is innacurate in the extreme. We became aware of the contents of the book only after it hit the bookstands. At that time, we sent a letter to...more
Before I bought this book, I went on Amazon to read reviews and this troll who goes by the name of Paul Gaboury, went on every single review and responded with this comment:
Initial post: Dec 3, 2006 4:06:46 PM PST
Paul Gaboury says:
My name is Paul Gaboury. The author, Elinor Burkett is my sister in law. Her characterization of my wife and our home is innacurate in the extreme. We became aware of the contents of the book only after it hit the bookstands. At that time, we sent a letter to...more
This book was written back in I think 2000 and what it has to say applies today. I do think an updated/follow-up would be welcomed.
This is a book that should be read by everyone, if you have kids or not. I believe it is a real eye opener as to how Corporate America works these days to protect families (but often leaving the lower income out of the equation) sometimes at the expense of those who do not have children (either by choice, circumstances, or health reasons), and also how our Government...more
This is a book that should be read by everyone, if you have kids or not. I believe it is a real eye opener as to how Corporate America works these days to protect families (but often leaving the lower income out of the equation) sometimes at the expense of those who do not have children (either by choice, circumstances, or health reasons), and also how our Government...more
This was a difficult book for me to rate because I had times where I liked it and other times where I couldn't stand reading it! Elinor Burkett makes many wonderful points in this book that I had never considered before, specifically if we are offering so many benefits, tax breaks, and flex-time to people with children, isn't it then discrimination to not offer something similar to people without children. She notes that she feels that of course we should help families in need, but her real grip...more
Apr 25, 2009
Patti
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in CF politics, or libertarianism in general
One of the best books on the childfree. It's well written, snarky and makes concise logical points without coming off as a huge rant novel. A few of the arguments are:
- You can't be pro-equal pay for men/women and pro-"family friendly" work policies. Someone ALWAYS has to pick up the slack and get shafted.
- Whenever someone says it's "for the children" they mean either "for myself" or "for the middle class suburban kids who have everything they need".
- Family-friendly policies are so hard to arg...more
- You can't be pro-equal pay for men/women and pro-"family friendly" work policies. Someone ALWAYS has to pick up the slack and get shafted.
- Whenever someone says it's "for the children" they mean either "for myself" or "for the middle class suburban kids who have everything they need".
- Family-friendly policies are so hard to arg...more
Eye opening. Insightful look into the atrocities committed, in the name of babies, against the Childfree of America. Taking a deep look into the transfer of wealth from the Childfree to the breeders of the world. I didn't even realize I was a marginalized, demeaned, pigeonholed, over taxed, under appreciated, disenfranchised member of the newest minority in our society today! The book advocates total equality for all peoples in the tax code, that could very well over a period of years, add nearl...more
Throughout the book I was reminded me of The Simpsons character, Reverend Lovejoy’s wife. Every time there was a controversy, she lamented “What about the children?!”
Elinor bravely challenges the sacredness of having children. Businesses and the government are catering to the child-bearing adults – namely the middle class and above adults – at the expense of the childfree and the low income families.
Like abortion, this is a subject that everyone has an already set opinion. However, it’s A LOT ea...more
Elinor bravely challenges the sacredness of having children. Businesses and the government are catering to the child-bearing adults – namely the middle class and above adults – at the expense of the childfree and the low income families.
Like abortion, this is a subject that everyone has an already set opinion. However, it’s A LOT ea...more
A somewhat controversial look at how American society favors those with children...socially, economically, culturally. Likely to irritate parents while ringing quite true with the childfree. A sad but true scientific/statistical analysis of an aspect of society to which most are oblivious.
Many of her points are well taken, and I'm sympathetic to the overall equality argument proffered because I am childfree and get tired of the endless ways I am expected to pick up the slack for parents. I also grow weary of the judgments I face for choosing a life without children.
That said, holy smokes is her authorial voice grating. It's defensive, dismissive and relentlessly self-righteous. Also, she plays fast and loose with the precise chronology of recent historical events and policy measu...more
That said, holy smokes is her authorial voice grating. It's defensive, dismissive and relentlessly self-righteous. Also, she plays fast and loose with the precise chronology of recent historical events and policy measu...more
May 16, 2013
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Oct 15, 2012 11:53am