Book · 2024 · Philosophy
What Are Children For?
On Ambivalence and Choice
Why people recommend it
What Are Children For? by Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman is a thoughtful exploration of contemporary ambivalence, choice, and cultural attitudes surrounding parenthood among modern young adults. When appearing on The Ezra Klein Show in an episode titled Manliness, Cat Ladies, Fertility Panic and the 2024 Election on August 16, 2024, Christine Emba recommended the book as the second choice in her list of suggested readings. Emba introduced the publication clearly, stating that a second book she would recommend is What Are Children For? on ambivalence and choice, authored by Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman. The book examines why a generation that values planning, autonomy, and deliberate decision-making often finds itself hesitant, delayed, or deeply conflicted when confronting the monumental choice of whether to have children. Emba's recommendation highlights the timeliness of the work in addressing broader social anxieties regarding declining birth rates, changing lifestyles, and the search for meaning in adulthood. Readers seeking to understand the psychological, economic, and philosophical dilemmas confronting modern prospective parents frequently turn to this insightful volume for its nuanced portrayal of contemporary family planning, personal fulfillment, and the complex negotiations between individual freedom and generational continuity in a rapidly transforming social landscape.
Who recommended it
- Christine Emba Recommended
Christine Emba — 1 mention
“a second book that I would recommend is what are children for on ambivalence and choice and this is by Anastasia ber and Rachel wisman”