The Baby Matrix
The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction Will Create A Better World, by Laura Carroll, takes readers through a critical exploration of the way we look at childhood, parenthood, and procreation. Carroll explores the ideology of pronatalism through the framework of The Matrix film (hence the title).
But like Neo’s awakening from the matrix, taking “the red pill” doesn’t just clear away the clouds of blind ideology. There’s work to be done. After deconstructing pronatalists beliefs, Carroll takes readers into a “post-pronatal” future. If we really were to strip away the ideas that a human’s right to have and raise children supersedes the rights, needs, and well-being of children and the world at large… what would happen?
My Reading of Laura Carroll’s The Baby Matrix
The Baby Matrix will likely cause a few knee-jerk reactions. I like to think I’m pretty progressive when it comes to beliefs about parenthood, child-bearing, and overpopulation. After all, I run a pro-childfree website and online community. But I have to admit, even I found myself shocked by some of Carroll’s arguments. Not because I actually disagreed, but because pro-natal notions are so deeply ingrained in me (and all of us).
I highly recommend reading this book if you’re:
- Childfree
- Concerned about overpopulation
- Interested in children’s welfare
- Curious about the childfree movement
The Baby Matrix is an intellectually and emotionally challenging read. Laura Carroll asks her readers to step outside of their comfort zone and ask themselves difficult—but vital—questions. It’s the kind of book that really pushes you to examine your deeply-held, and sometimes completely subconscious beliefs. Whether or not you end up agreeing with the author, it’s well worth a read.
Where to Read The Baby Matrix
From July 20 until July 31, 2018, you can enter to win a free, signed copy of The Baby Matrix by liking or commenting on this Facebook post:
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Since I highly recommend reading The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction Will Create a Better World
Your Thoughts on The Baby Matrix
Obviously, this is a pretty controversial topic. Some of the ideas discussed in Laura Carroll’s The Baby Matrix might even be a bit surprising within the childfree community. If you’ve read it, please share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below. What surprised you about the book? Which parts did you agree with? What do you hope others will learn by reading it? Let’s start a conversation about this important topic.
Hi, Laura Carroll here. Thanks for this review post. Must add that this book is meant as a sort of manifesto. It presents ideas to spark discussion, and they are not always necessarily what I would argue ‘should’ happen. To think outside our mindsets, yes. To open a discussion about the negative effects of pronatalism and why it is time to move to a post-pronatal society..Yes! Here is an excerpt: http://thebabymatrix.com/pdf/Baby_Matrix_web_throughCh2.pdf
This will give you a flavor…Thank you, Lilli! ~Laura