Available instantly

Paperback
$12.99

$12.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Friday, June 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Wednesday, June 11. Order within 14 hrs 28 mins.

In Stock

$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day refund/replacement

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$11.95

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

Satisfaction guaranteed! Book may include highlighting and/or notes. Satisfaction guaranteed! Book may include highlighting and/or notes. See less

FREE delivery June 20 - 26 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery June 19 - 23

$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by Jerry Lee's Bookstore and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (12) from $11.95 FREE Shipping on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Marcia Drut-Davis

Follow

Confessions of a Childfree Woman: A Life Spent Swimming Against the Mainstream Paperback – March 17, 2013

by Marcia Drut-Davis (Author)

184 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.99","priceAmount":12.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YR7vfiFKhaBL2Xg30x%2Beosb5QjAyjtDqFUScyuhrO3HJ0ayCULFb%2F9r7hrqXa0%2Fa8Qpjq3BLfbuexaBK4zCe5i%2FcspOmy2ha6DRXruqHJPVC%2Ff7JEBiIE5DekOI05r%2FXtt0tt7v5Jt42qOxBP6QBuQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.95","priceAmount":11.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YR7vfiFKhaBL2Xg30x%2Beosb5QjAyjtDqPu7PNirbX4DJ2pkjGU%2BmVxeyTsS%2B7A%2Fd4M5Hu2X%2FFI4nE%2FlpO0BOKzhB3DS7r5MufdnjhEnLnsJTuDNIObROA2YKJ90VYusU5cd%2BRgI85hh0kzgg%2B7BQ3ErcRzNwqx64or2lPpHMxtLSNzOITi72KKt7LaOhkZU7","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

After declaring on 60 Minutes her desire to never have children, Marcia Drut-Davis was fired from her teaching job and began receiving death threats from outraged Americans. Now, in her stirring new memoir Confessions of a Childfree Woman, Drut-Davis tells the story behind that national TV appearance and recounts the painful aftermath.Along the way, Drut-Davis exposes and explores our culture’s rampant pronatalism and the stigma we continue to attach to childless women. By taking us deep into her own life and the emotions—positive and negative—surrounding her bold choice, Drut-Davis lays bare our society’s myth that true fulfillment and happiness can come only through procreation.Reflecting on her 70 years, Drut-Davis takes a fair look at what she’s lost by not having children, but her focus always returns to all she has gained: a life lived with no regrets.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marcia Drut-Davis, B.S., M.S. in TESOL, is an outspoken advocate for parenting choices and past chapter president of the National Organization for Non-Parents. Prior to getting her master's degree at the age of 50, she taught common branch subjects in New York, California and Michigan. Her peers recognized her abilities, nominating her for the Walt Disney Company's American Teacher Awards in 1998. In 2000, she retired to Florida where she taught future teachers in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University. Presently, she volunteers teaching English and literacy in a local library and is a bimonthly writer for the Pineapple Post in Jensen Beach. She lives with her husband Jim and a rescued 5-pound Chihuahua.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Marcia Drut-Davis
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0615819230
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0615819235
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.33 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,415 in General Women's Health
- #10,274 in Women's Biographies
- #29,141 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
184 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Marcia Drut-Davis

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

I'm a strong-willed septuagenerian supporting the childfree lifestyle. My books support, validate and educate against rejection in the childfree lifestyle!

Customer reviews

184 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book refreshingly honest and wonderful to read, with one review noting how the author speaks directly to the reader. The writing is easy to follow, and customers consider it one of the most insightful books on the topic.

Select to learn more

Honesty Readability Writing quality Insight

21 customers mention "Honesty"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty, describing it as refreshing and reassuring.

"...It was an eye opener and very comforting for me. I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone...." Read more

"As a childfree woman born in the 50's, the author presents a life story that goes quite against the standards of her time...." Read more

"...Marcia writes with beautiful candor, unabashed honesty whether she was proud of something she thought or did or not...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be objective, honest, open, and simply informative...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"14 positive1 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read, with one customer noting it's particularly helpful for childfree women, and another appreciating the final chapter.

"...This book is a must read and it could educate those who are constantly criticizing childfree women for their choices. All women deserve respect." Read more

"I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be objective, honest, open, and simply informative...." Read more

"...having children, this memoir relates one woman's experience and is a must-read...." Read more

"...Thank you, Marcia, for sharing your experiences in this wonderful memoir." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderfully written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author speaks personally to the reader.

"...She writes about the luxury of time, travel and hobby she wouldn't have enjoyed if she had children. "..." Read more

"...It is a quick read but one that can go,ster the heart of any woman who has made the choice to live her life sustained by other equally important..." Read more

"I loved this memoir. I found it to be very well-written, and is in a style that gives the book a feeling that the author is speaking personally to..." Read more

"Bravo to the author for being bold and honest: I get inspired by women that speak their truth in such graceful ways. I loved this book...." Read more

10 customers mention "Insight"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and objective, with one customer noting it provides real-life examples.

"...when it comes to subject of childless life, but rather provides a real life examples of both joys and struggles of life with and without children...." Read more

"...This book can inspire people to make the proper choice when having or not having children...." Read more

"...She is a strong writer with an impactful story to share...." Read more

"...This book gives a lot of insight on that matter - exactly what I needed." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

NC_booklover
This is a must read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2016
Verified Purchase

I'm on my mid-thirties and have been happily married for almost 4 years. I could related to many situations described by the author and I was so happy to know that there is hope and fulfillment when you make your own decisions and fight for what you want for yourself. I was so intrigued by this book that I read it in two days. It was an eye opener and very comforting for me. I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone. I've cried many times because I felt like an alien among other women. Thanks Marcia for mentioning that. The author talks about her childfree life experiences and a '60 minutes' interview that changed her life in the 70s. She is a brave woman who knew what she wanted and didn't back down because of society/family expectations. Being a woman doesn't mean you can bear a child. Having children doesn't mean they will be there for you later in life neither that they will turn out the way you wanted. People have kids for many reasons but some decide to not have them at all. Since I was a child I never dreamed of the day I would have a belly, give birth or breastfeed. I agree with the author when she says that people assume that we hate kids just because we don't want to procreate. I love kids and worked as a full-time nanny/babysitter for more than 4 years and still in touch with the families, I just don't want to have that lifelong responsibility for myself. Every woman has the choice to remain childfree and live a happy and fulfilling life. Marcia's life story still relevant to all women making this choice. If everyone was equipped to raise children we would not have so many kids in foster care. This book is a must read and it could educate those who are constantly criticizing childfree women for their choices. All women deserve respect.

Read more

32 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
recyclability
I read this in 1 day - couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
As a childfree woman born in the 50's, the author presents a life story that goes quite against the standards of her time. She writes about her witnessing her own mother, even with a housekeeper and devoted husband, exhausted by the effort of owning her own business and being a mother to 2 girls. She writes about her awakening, coming to the realization she didn't want to have children of her own, and the incredible criticism thrown against her by strangers and even her own family. The author doesn't sugarcoat anything, she writes about losing her teaching job and walking through picket lines protesting against her. She worries she'll regret her childfree decision in her later years. But as a teacher and mentor, she also writes about how much time she was able to devote to helping her students, time she wouldn't have if there had been children of her own to look after at home. She writes about the luxury of time, travel and hobby she wouldn't have enjoyed if she had children.

"Confessions of a Childfree Woman" is at times heartbreaking and most times inspiring. I can honestly say I loved everything about this book. I devoured it in one day.

Read more

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
AshT123
great book on child free life
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Writing style is a tad schmaltz but the bones and intent are good. Encouraging to hear from a woman who is now 80 years old that being childfree is a viable fulfilling option.

Read more

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Shimmer
Thank you for your voice, Marcia!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
I found out about this book and its author from stumbling upon the blog of the same name, and have now been thrilled to become part of the priceless movement of child free women I wish I had found long ago. I cannot believe one reviewer (and ONLY one!) said this book was not relevant. I feel it is more relevant now than ever, and our struggle as child free by choice women is just as difficult if not harder than it has ever been. Some say our choice is more accepted and perhaps a few more people don't openly judge, but why are there no groups for us in my affluent, supposedly intelligent, sophisticated and forward thinking community? Why is the closest in person group and that being the only one with 200 miles, 50 miles away? Marcia writes with beautiful candor, unabashed honesty whether she was proud of something she thought or did or not. I am so proud of her, and grateful she had the need and courage to write this book. It is a quick read but one that can go,ster the heart of any woman who has made the choice to live her life sustained by other equally important people and pursuits besides children. I am 62 and knew my entire life I would not want or have children- it is the one thing I had control over and though it has been challenging, I have no regrets.

Read more

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
ClassySassy
Objective and Honest
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be objective, honest, open, and simply informative. It doesn't pull a reader into any one direction when it comes to subject of childless life, but rather provides a real life examples of both joys and struggles of life with and without children. I don't have children so I can imagine that it would be easier for me to read this with an open mind and weigh the options, as I still have them at my age. However, I can also see how someone with children may read this and disagree or resent as they no longer have an option of childfree lifestyle (as author discussed in detail in this book).
For these reasons I would recommend the book to childless readers who are on the fence of deciding whether or not to have children. It may provide some non-fiction insight. Also to readers who are simply looking to understand the reason behind the childfree choice, this book is the one to read.

Read more

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Onceaponadime
Excellent book for anyone questioning whether or not to have kids.
Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2016
Verified Purchase

Excellent book! A woman's look back on her life and her decision not to have children. This book definitely helped me come to terms with how I really feel about how my life has turned out so far. Child free and happy about it. I think each woman must come to terms with how they feel, about having kids in their life or not.

Read more
Report
Mohita Solanki
Thank you, Marcia!
Reviewed in India on March 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Loved to read every chapter of the book. Was good to read the things i think but abstain from saying out loud. She has beautifully touched upon the sensitive subjects. I could see the constant struggle she faced at every phase in her life, given the time she was in, I couldn't blame her. Admire her courage throughout the book and her life.

Wish we talked more openly about the reality of parenting and tell people it's optional. I don't understand why people think everyone can be a good parent or everyone wants to be a parent!

Thanks, Marcia for writing this book.

Read more
Report
CMJ
A childfree pioneer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
I became interested in Marcia’s story, firstly, through her appearance on childfreegirlspodcast and secondly through her Facebook group, Confessions of childfree people. This book was obviously the next step in my ever-growing, hopefully, endearing and not creepy, infatuation with this amazing woman.

This book does not disappoint. She begins where all the best stories do, at the beginning. Her sister and their mother take centre stage as the female influences in her life. Her sister’s birth leads to a realisation of the intensity of parenting and her mother trying to have it all ultimately compounding this realisation. The development of her choices throughout the first few chapters is interesting and captivating as she explores her relationships both familial and romantic. This leads the reader to the epic rupture event that was her 60 minutes interview. I won’t spoil it but my emotional turmoil cannot be overstated. The bravery, no matter how overlooked by Marcia herself at the time, was immense and it was at this point that I began reading aloud to my boyfriend, continuing to do so for the duration as he became enamoured with her tale.
Marcia writes in a way that let me feel her fear, her embarrassment, her pain, shock and bafflement as this public revelation caused catastrophe in her life.

From there I noted frequently, how the chapter on pro-natalism hit a cord. How very recently the conversation about hating children had been raised with my mother and how dispelling that myth had been necessary but hurtful.
Then Marcia’s observation that pro-natalism affects all of us in ways we cannot see and for much of our lives as she highlights, “I know, but they’re selling more than soup”. I see you Marcia and I feel your rage. This casual insert of pro-natalism by advertising in our daily lives is oppressive. It made me chuckle at her use of ‘Kodak’ moments later in the chapter, which whether done intentionally or not is an excellent demonstration of how pro-natalistic advertisements have wormed their way into our daily speech. We say ‘Kodak moments’ because of Kodak’s pro-natalist advertisements, just check out their 1993 advertisement on youtube and you’ll see exactly what I mean. I digress but you see my point.

I especially liked the chapter on childless versus childfree. I found much interest in her conflict with these two concepts, but her conflict about the possibility of being a parent difficult to empathise with. This is due to the fact that I have been childfree since I made my choice a few years ago and prior I was sure I would be a parent but that's another story. I have never been childless, I have never felt lacking in anything. It is not a reflection on Marcia’s writing, in fact, it is a testament to her that I enjoyed this exploration despite being uninvolved in this emotional process. It also applies to the chapter on her stepmotherhood. While it is not something I would ever do, and that decision comes without conflict for me, I felt hers immensely.

She covers so many things that affect the childfree community and does it well. I used to fantasise about my possible child which she describes and the process of being placated by the myth of the family, this is how I was. Only the good parts, the ideals of the family would infiltrate this fantasy and it is dangerous.

Finally, and I could write a book about this book but I will finish with this.

Marcia writes
“Arriving at the decision not to have children is uncomplicated. They feel sure… end of discussion. I envy those people. For me, it wasn’t that easy.”

To this, I want to say thank you. Your book is a testament to how difficult it was to be a pioneer. Your suffering and conflicted life happened so that women like me could be those people you envy. I ask, that if you still do, that you do not envy us but feel so very proud that your footsteps in the sand left a path for us to tread in such confidence, with intense pride and purpose. With tears of contentment in my eyes, I thank you. Thank you for being so brave even when you didn’t know you were, thank you for this book and thank you for your commitment to your decision. I loved every moment of your story.

Read more
Report
Lauren Manning
Marcia knows how to write so that people just don't ...
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
Marcia knows how to write so that people just don't want to put the book down! I really respect her honesty and realistic outlook on not only pro- natalism and parenting, but just on life in general

Read more
Report
grainne obrien
Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great to see books based for the child free and see their experiences with their communities to their choice. Looking forward to reading the next one

Read more
Report

See more reviews

Follow the author

Confessions of a Childfree Woman: A Life Spent Swimming Against the Mainstream Paperback – March 17, 2013

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Marcia Drut-Davis

Customer reviews

Review this product

Customers say

Select to learn more

Images in this review

Reviews with images

Fraudulent

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read!

5.0 out of 5 stars I read this in 1 day - couldn't put it down

4.0 out of 5 stars great book on child free life

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for your voice, Marcia!

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective and Honest

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for anyone questioning whether or not to have kids.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Marcia!

5.0 out of 5 stars A childfree pioneer

5.0 out of 5 stars Marcia knows how to write so that people just don't ...

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read

This is a must read!

I read this in 1 day - couldn't put it down

great book on child free life

Thank you for your voice, Marcia!

Objective and Honest

Excellent book for anyone questioning whether or not to have kids.

Thank you, Marcia!

A childfree pioneer

Marcia knows how to write so that people just don't ...

Great read