Other than Mother: Choosing Childlessness with Life in Mind
'Other than Mother: Choosing Childlessness with Life in Mind' is my second book, published by Earth Books in 2016. It tackles the (sadly still taboo) subject of elective/voluntary childlessness and explores the backdrop to the parenthood decision, the pro-natal nature of our society, the stereotyping of those without children, and the growing phenomenon of childlessness. It also explores the parenthood decision from an ecopsychological point of view; acknowledging the impact of pro-natalism on the biosphere and other-than-human life in this damaging anthropocentric age.
Other Than Mother explores the decision-making process around not having children. It is in three parts:
Part I The Worldly Winds explores the backdrop to deciding whether or not to have children, including the cultural changes brought about by a rise in voluntary/intentional childlessness. Part II A Private Decision with Global Consequences explores the pros and cons in the decision-making process, including ecological and environmental considerations. Part III New Horizons and Baby-sized Projects explores living with the decision.
In September 2016 Other than Mother was nominated for best book in the 2016 Population Institute's 'Global Media Awards'. I was awarded the 'Childfree Person of the Year 2018' prize on International Childfree day for my work for the childless, childfree and ecopsychology communities following the publication of 'Other than Mother'.
For more information and how to buy Other than Mother, please visit the publisher's page.
To keep up to date with Other than Mother events, like the book Facebook page.
For my author reflections on the publication on Other than Mother, published in Somatic Psychotherapy Today, summer 2016.
Interviews and Media:
Review of Other than Mother by Jody Day, founder of Gateway Women, December 2016
Review of Other than Mother by Joan Angus at GreenSpirit, March 2016
Review of Other than Mother by the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, July 2016
Review of Other than Mother by Nancy Eichorn, editor of Somatic Psychotherapy Today, Summer edition, Vol 6, No. 2, pp68-72.
Review of Other than Mother by Issa M. Lewis of the Mom Egg Review, September 2016.
Interview with Michelle Marie McGrath's 'Unclassified Woman' series featuring women without children, April 2016
Interview with the Buddhist Centre.com
Endorsements:
What a truly beautiful book. Touching on issues close to the heart - stewardship, legacy and interconnectedness - Kamalamani talks of birthing of another kind. Having children can be a choice. Or more specifically, choosing not to have children - often a far less spoken about subject. Kamalamani faces this shadow and explores it deeply, compassionately and lovingly. ~ Polly Higgins, International Ecocide law advocate, CEO of Earth Community Trust. Author of Eradicating Ecocide and Earth is our Business.
For readers weighing the choice of whether or not to try for a baby, or seeking wisdom on decision making per se, this clear and gentle, knowing and engaging work will be of excellent counsel. In it the author recalls and refines her own personal experience, brings to bear her professional understanding, and invokes a bodhisattva concern for the other than human life on earth. In 'Other than mother' Kamalamani gives us a timely, compassionate, skilful guide. ~ Stephanie Mills, Ecological activist, Lecturer, and author of Epicurean Simplicity and Whatever Happened to Ecology?