A review by ninahuynh
What Are Children For?: On Ambivalence and Choice by Anastasia Berg, Rachel Wiseman

informative slow-paced

2.75

This book was definitely not what I expected. It covers examples of motherhood and children through anecdotes, in fiction novels, and philosophy. There are a lot of references, so having the text in front of you to jot down notes may be more helpful for finding other folks' attempt at the title in question. I don't feel like it leaned one way or the other in terms of yes- children are worth it or no- not worth it because of xyz. However, it also didn't feel cohesive in the direction of book. It felt more like "Here is all the research I have done (a large chunk from fiction novels I've read) on children, having children/not having children, the pros and cons of each (though many times, it felt like it leaned towards not having children - but as a jabbed to why folks decide to be childless). I have little solid opinion on this; it's your choice after all."

I don't expect to find the answer to "is having children worth it/what are children for" in the book, but it did leave me feeling not much more informed than I was before starting the book.