I am squarely in the demographic that Jill Lepore discusses and, to some degree, chastises in this article, yet I don’t feel defensive after reading it. She writes with a detached and historical take, refraining from excessive ridicule and condemnation, perhaps because she is a member of the group she is analyzing–new parents at the dawn of the 21st century. On first read, the article’s simply a backlash (disguised, initially, as a book review) to all the parenting books/blogs/magazines, to the cultural obsession with babies. But more significantly it’s a sly and valuable call for true political and social change for the benefit of modern families. Organize and make things happen, folks, she seems to say–don’t just confess, absolve, complain, exalt, and entertain.

All that aside, I do look forward to reading Ayelet Waldman’s new book, mentioned in the article, as I enjoy her writing (along with other controversial mother/writers like Caitlin Flanagan–say what you will about Flanagan, but she can write.)