Hannah's Children

The Stories of Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth

By: Catherine Pakaluk

Narrated by: Jaimee Draper

A portrait of America's most interesting yet overlooked women.

In the midst of a historic "birth dearth," why do some 5 percent of American women choose to defy the demographic norm by bearing five or more children? Hannah’s Children is a compelling portrait of these overlooked but fascinating mothers who, like the biblical Hannah, see their children as their purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing.

The social scientist Catherine Pakaluk, herself the mother of eight, traveled across the United States and interviewed fifty-five college-educated women who were raising five or more children. Through open-ended questions, she sought to understand who these women are, why and when they chose to have a large family, and what this choice means for them, their families, and the nation.

Hannah’s Children is more than interesting stories of extraordinary women. It presents information that is urgently relevant for the future of American prosperity. Many countries have experimented with aggressively pro-natalist public policies, and all of them have failed. Pakaluk finds that the quantitative methods to which the social sciences limit themselves overlook important questions of meaning and identity in their inquiries into fertility rates. Her book is a pathbreaking foray into questions of purpose, religion, transcendence, healing, and growth—questions that ought to inform economic inquiry in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Catherine Pakaluk (P)2024 Oasis Audio

Fascinating Insights

I loved hearing the personal stories of each mom. They all had such fascinating insights. This would be good for all moms and dads to listen to even if they have smaller families because of insightful reflections on family in general. Narrator did an exceptional job.

Inspiring and well read

This book changed my perspective on raising children and helped me overcome fears of taking the plunge on that first child. The narrator was engaging and pleasant to listen to. The many stories warmed my heart. Often the stories of family love and relationships brought tears to my eyes. Some parts of the book were more complex and fact filled and required undivided attention to follow. Mostly though it was a narrative of enjoyable interviews and conclusions and similarities gathered from them. I highly recommend this book.

A must-read for all women of childbearing age!

As a mom of six children, aged 36 to 15, this book hits every nail on the head (including a few I hadn’t considered). I pray other moms are moved to increase their joy by increasing their family size. Psalm 127:3-5

Couldn’t stop listening

This book was amazing. It’s packed full of facts, yet I, a person who only enjoys novels, couldn’t stop listening. Bravo!

A brilliant, pathbreaking book

A fresh approach to the catastrophic decline in fertility. It focuses not on why women do not have babies but on why some - educated with shining paths to career and material success choose to buck the trend and have large families. it explores their reasons of head and heart by allowing them to tell their own stories. Pakaluk as an economist and social scientist illuminates how these stories cast light on the futility of current public policy efforts to reverse the birth dearth. She proposes a better approach.

Fascinating!

I liked the explanation of the desires of the heart. The interviews with the women. So well done!

Necessary Data for Policy makers

In some ways it is sad that even the most obvious life-truths require to be researched and mathematically dissected. But, then again that seems to be the only way policy wonks will pay attention to an issue. Well documented, presented, and concluded.

an economist's analytical approach layered atop a mother's nuanced perspective.

Excellent content-rich interviews with each of the mothers, chapter by chapter. Thought-Provoking and challenging, for sure. fascinating to hear from the 5% bucking the downward spiral of the birth dearth, and giving birth to Hannah's children.

Love it!!

I love this book so much - it speaks to my soul!! I’ve been saddened hearing many of my peers decide not to have children (I’m in my late 20’s), and I am so encouraged by these women quietly defying the birth dearth. Sharing this with all my friends!!

The narrator also did an excellent job!! She truly brought the women’s stories to life by her voice acting!! Bravo!!

Great family values

This book has encouraged me to truly pursue my dream of being a mother. I highly encourage this book to any women who have the inkling towards motherhood. Great listen!