In "All Joy and No Fun," Jennifer Senior delves into the complexities of modern parenthood, revealing how the experience reshapes not only children but also the lives of parents. With a blend of research and personal anecdotes, she exposes the everyday challenges and unexpected joys that come with raising kids. Senior asks poignant questions about happiness and fulfillment, challenging societal norms regarding parenting's purpose. As she navigates the delicate balance of joy and sacrifice, she uncovers the transformative power of this pivotal life stage. Discover the profound insights that will make you rethink what it truly means to be a parent in today's world.
By Jennifer Senior
Published: 2014
"Parenting is a constant exercise in letting go."
Thousands of books have examined the effects of parents on their children. In All Joy and No Fun, award-winning journalist Jennifer Senior now asks: what are the effects of children on their parents? In All Joy and No Fun, award-winning journalist Jennifer Senior tries to tackle this question, isolating and analyzing the many ways in which children reshape their parents' lives, whether it's their marriages, their jobs, their habits, their hobbies, their friendships, or their internal senses of self. She argues that changes in the last half century have radically altered the roles of today's mothers and fathers, making their mandates at once more complex and far less clear. Recruiting from a wide variety of sources—in history, sociology, economics, psychology, philosophy, and anthropology—she dissects both the timeless strains of parenting and the ones that are brand new, and then brings her research to life in the homes of ordinary parents around the country. The result is an unforgettable series of family portraits, starting with parents of young children and progressing to parents of teens. Through lively and accessible storytelling, Senior follows these mothers and fathers as they wrestle with some of parenthood's deepest vexations—and luxuriate in some of its finest rewards. Meticulously researched yet imbued with emotional intelligence, All Joy and No Fun makes us reconsider some of our culture's most basic beliefs about parenthood, all while illuminating the profound ways children deepen and add purpose to our lives. By focusing on parenthood, rather than parenting, the book is original and essential reading for mothers and fathers of today—and tomorrow.
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“Parenting is a constant exercise in letting go.”
All Joy and No Fun
By Jennifer Senior
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Jennifer Senior is an acclaimed journalist and author known for her insightful commentary on family dynamics and societal issues. She has contributed to major publications, including The New York Times, where her writing often explores the complexities of modern life and parenting. Her book, "All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood," received widespread praise for its candid examination of how raising children affects the lives of parents. Senior's work has earned her several prestigious awards and recognitions, solidifying her position as a prominent voice on issues surrounding family and childhood. Through her engaging prose, she continues to spark important conversations about the challenges and joys of parenthood in today's world.
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