COMPLETE
WITHOUT
KIDS
2nd Edition
In Complete Without Kids, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Ellen L. Walker examines the often-ignored question of what it means to be childfree, by choice or by circumstance, in a family-focused society. Recognizing that there is no one childfree adult, the author guides the reader through the positive and negative aspects of childfree living, taking into consideration the different issues faced by men or women, couples or singles, whether gay or straight. As a woman who is childfree by choice, Walker draws upon her personal experience while also offering the reader numerous interviews with other childfree adults, revealing behind-the-scenes factors that influenced their personal journeys.
She approaches the tough-decision making process of whether or not to have children from a biological, historical, and societal perspective, offering valuable information on: The unique set of problems that childfree adults face simply due to living in a culture that celebrates babies and traditional families; Methods to cope with the pressure to have children from media, family, and friends in a healthy way; How to create balance and approach the leisure time allowed by a childfree lifestyle and; Financial, health, and personal benefits associated with childfree living. Offering support, guidance, and thought-provoking questions, Complete Without Kids is a productive guide for any reader considering the childfree path.
Complete without Kids, The Guide to a Great Childfree Living, offers adults the opportunity to hear the highly personal stories of others and gain useful information on how to deal with societal and personal challenges faced as a result of living without children. It goes behind the scenes to explore the psychological processes influencing individual decisions and interpretations of life situations, whether the childfree status came by choice, happenstance or circumstance.
The book also offers the adult who is contemplating whether or not to have children, an unbiased inside perspective on what a life without kids entails. The focus of the book is on acceptance of one’s situation and finding ways to have the richest life possible.
The book that began as Dr. Walker’s personal journal became real due to the demand for such information. As she talked with others about the idea, she received a great deal of encouragement, because of the uniqueness of the topic and the slim choice of books available for adults who are childfree or those contemplating whether or not to have kids.
In 2008 she met editor and writing coach, Brooke Warner, who helped her learn a new style of writing, quite the opposite of the dry psychological reports she crafted every day in clinical practice, and helped bring life to the book.
Dr. Walker interviewed dozens of women, men, and couples, gay and straight, who came forward to talk honestly about their experiences to help others. In order to protect their privacy their names, occupations, and other identifying information has been changed for the book. This groundbreaking work will have a huge impact on those who have wished for some perspective on a subject that can so emotionally charged.