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 easier to make a speech about how wonderful children are than someone trying to explain to a single aunt about why you don’t have a child. It’s politically correct to want kids. I applaud Elinor for braving these waters; I’m sure she has lost a lot of friends.

This book still resonates with me 20 years after I read it. Thoughtful perspective on our inherent biases toward those without children from an excellent writer.

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 measures and keeps claiming a growing trend that has been all but undone by the rising birthrate of the last decade.

It's moderately successful screed if you can get past her obnoxiousness, but it's lousy scholarship and weak journalism.