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The Madness of Modern Parenting:
Combining laugh-out-loud tales of parenthood with myth-busting facts and figures, Zoe Williams provides a witty critique of the commercial pressures on modern parents. They managed perfectly well for centuries before this modern madness, so why do today's mothers and fathers make such an almighty fuss?
Zoe Williams is a columnist for the Guardian.
Zoe Williams is a columnist for the Guardian.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published November 27, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 29, 2020
A witty and punchy polemic, primarily on motherhood but also covering fatherhood, education, and the role of the state. Zoe Williams argues that mothers should be allowed - both by society and other mothers - to chill out. Not to be forced into the box marked 'total mum' or the opposing 'not-mum' box, but to be free to choose the life best for them. Fathers too are subject to these pressures, and politicians exert pressure on both by helping to maintain a culture that demands equal devotion to children and to work.
Williams' polemic extends to the science around pregnancy, which is a topic ill-suited to the demands of making a strong argument. While not an objective guide to the science, this book is nevertheless a well-argued and persuasive take on the rigours of modern parenthood.
Williams' polemic extends to the science around pregnancy, which is a topic ill-suited to the demands of making a strong argument. While not an objective guide to the science, this book is nevertheless a well-argued and persuasive take on the rigours of modern parenthood.
February 6, 2023
Loved it, only downside is I wish it was longer! The author’s voice clearly captures the madness of parenting in our current culture, I found myself nodding along and laughing out loud at the absurdities. I appreciated her ability to pointedly observe the craziness of it all, while maintaining empathy and a sense of humour.
October 26, 2021
A cute little book that covers a lot of topics like the media's portrayal of parenting, as well as the expectations of older generations, those without children, and how capitalism fucking ruins everything.
December 19, 2017
The trials and tribulations of modernity. How to break out is the question.
February 13, 2024
A good book about all of the misconceptions and perspectives we have about pregnancy, being a parent and educate a child.
April 16, 2015
Full Review: http://www.booksandababy.com/?p=174
I must admit, I have found the pressure to be the perfect mother very difficult. There is so much competing literature and oversharenting these days, it feels quite difficult to follow any instincts and remember that, yes, people have been giving birth for some time with a fairly high rate of survival. It’s hard not to see the development of your child as somehow against the odds in this world of mercury/BPA/SIDS etc. It has definitely made me enjoy the experience less, as sad as that is. I’m so sick of the boasting and oversharing associated with aspects of perfect parenting, like breastfeeding. This book is a reminder that hey, breastfeeding has occurred since the beginning of time and is considered the norm in most societies – yet is so used as a means to represent one’s self as the perfect mother in our own society. It’s totally normal, so do we need to keep hearing about it as the symbol of ideal motherhood?
This book examines the modern hysteria around pregnancy, parenting and breastfeeding, which involves competition, a sense of entitlement and/or parenting failure as one can never fully live up to the standards established by..well someone nebulous out there who does it all perfectly, all the time. The opening description of pregnancy as a period where, one feels if you do everything perfectly, you will be graced with a healthy child, sums up my own experiences exactly. It was extremely stressful that reason, and this has extended into my son’s early months. So for me, this book was a reminder that these feelings are rife in society today. It is fantastic that writers have recognised the problem and writing back to challenge the unattainable ideals. This was liberating to read and I recommend it for that reason at the very least.
The book is short, but I do think the first half is stronger than the second and would have liked the whole piece to be extended and supported with greater evidence and discussion. The books peters a little, losing the punch of the first half for this reader, at least. In particular, I would have loved to read about the lure and effect of social media like Facebook and Instagram on experiences of parenting – how technology has given people greater access to information and discussion around modes of parenting, for better or worse. At once there is an instant community, but equally, false ideals of parenthood are reinforced.
Interesting, but would certainly benefit from expansion. I look forward to reading more about this issue as people rage against the pressures associated with modern parenthood.
I must admit, I have found the pressure to be the perfect mother very difficult. There is so much competing literature and oversharenting these days, it feels quite difficult to follow any instincts and remember that, yes, people have been giving birth for some time with a fairly high rate of survival. It’s hard not to see the development of your child as somehow against the odds in this world of mercury/BPA/SIDS etc. It has definitely made me enjoy the experience less, as sad as that is. I’m so sick of the boasting and oversharing associated with aspects of perfect parenting, like breastfeeding. This book is a reminder that hey, breastfeeding has occurred since the beginning of time and is considered the norm in most societies – yet is so used as a means to represent one’s self as the perfect mother in our own society. It’s totally normal, so do we need to keep hearing about it as the symbol of ideal motherhood?
This book examines the modern hysteria around pregnancy, parenting and breastfeeding, which involves competition, a sense of entitlement and/or parenting failure as one can never fully live up to the standards established by..well someone nebulous out there who does it all perfectly, all the time. The opening description of pregnancy as a period where, one feels if you do everything perfectly, you will be graced with a healthy child, sums up my own experiences exactly. It was extremely stressful that reason, and this has extended into my son’s early months. So for me, this book was a reminder that these feelings are rife in society today. It is fantastic that writers have recognised the problem and writing back to challenge the unattainable ideals. This was liberating to read and I recommend it for that reason at the very least.
The book is short, but I do think the first half is stronger than the second and would have liked the whole piece to be extended and supported with greater evidence and discussion. The books peters a little, losing the punch of the first half for this reader, at least. In particular, I would have loved to read about the lure and effect of social media like Facebook and Instagram on experiences of parenting – how technology has given people greater access to information and discussion around modes of parenting, for better or worse. At once there is an instant community, but equally, false ideals of parenthood are reinforced.
Interesting, but would certainly benefit from expansion. I look forward to reading more about this issue as people rage against the pressures associated with modern parenthood.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews