This book came to me as a gift when I sent my annual membership donation to the Foundation For Community Encouragement. When I first started reading it I was a little uncomfortable with the format of Doug asking questions and having E.S. answer them--it seemed a bit arrogant, but as I read on I'm finding that these are questions I often ponder. I'm deliberately reading the book slowly, allowing myself time to question what I've read and find applications to my life. The responses offer insights, they are thought provoking and even profound. They are not pretentious and Doug and E.S. don't seem to be saying that this is THE FINAL ANSWER. To the contrary they encourage self discovery and living in genuine community.

The book debunks many of the myths our socialization teaches as truths, allowing the reader the opportunity to empty herself of thought and behavior processes that are barriers to the quality of life our society currently only idealizes.

Vessell of Peace would work well for use by churches or other organizations as a group study series. I'll be buying copies to share with the people I love, worship and work with.

Ellen Peck's main point in this book is an excellent one: You can live a more satisfying life if you avoid following the crowd, and don't have children.

The benefits should be obvious: You get to experience life focusing on things that are enjoyable for adults, and you get to give your love and attention to a spouse, and do far more with them than you could if you had children in the way.

Peck does a good job of spelling all of that out, providing examples of couples who lead much more satisfying lives than they otherwise would because of their lack of children.

Unfortunately, Peck doesn't merely view babies as an impediment to a more satisfying life, but also as a scourge upon the planet--she seems to really hate them all because of their contribution to the "population problem." The book shows its age by citing discredited doomsayers like Paul Ehrlich, who predicted in the 1960's and 70's that overpopulation was going to kill us all in short order. In general, when Peck cites "experts," she just quotes their conclusions without any supporting evidence. She would have done better to stick to pragmatic arguments and real-life examples.

Peck's views on population make her a cheerleader for abortion as well. In a particularly nauseating chapter, Peck tells girls that having an abortion "can be fun."

Nevertheless, Peck's pragmatic arguments against having babies are strong, and worthy of consideration by anyone who thinks they need children to have a complete life. Accordingly, I recommend _The Baby Trap_.

The best book for the childfree woman. A must read for all. It should be a requirement for all teenage girls. Rather than lots of statistics from poorly funded studies, this is a true life example and entertaining look at the reproductive choice.

I read this book about 25 years ago and was profoundly influenced. I was in my 20's when the book came out, a time of great personal change for all of us as we enter adulthood. In addition, it was a time of massive social change, particularly for women. Ms. Peck's book put into words much of what I was feeling at the time. I don't think I was unique. Having children was still viewed then as a given, in spite of the fact that advances in birth control gave us greater choice in the matter and abortion had just become legal. I was raised female during the 50's and 60's, so naturally I thought I liked children. Then, my personal experiences called these assumptions into question. I was suddenly thrown into a quandary and forced to reconsider the precepts of childhood training and socialization.

Ms. Peck's clear, well-written book gave my questions a voice. I did choose, at that time, to be childless. Now, at age 50, I am still childless and happy with that decision. The most profound freedom afforded me by feminism is the freedom to make that choice!

Now, in a new century, I think it appropriate to re-examine what Ms. Peck said so well for us in the 70's. There is backlash now and much agonizing over the growing childlessness of today's professional women. There is hand-wringing over middle-aged career women "yearning" for children.

I think women need to think through their decision whether to have children or not and re-examine their motivations. If their desire is real, and based on a full understanding of the demands of having and raising children, as well as a realistic assessment of the sacrifices required, more power to them. However, too many of us cling to our socialization and decide to have kids based on some romantic notion of motherhood and feminine fulfillment. I am here to tell you that children are not necessary to a full, good life and fulfillment as a woman!

After more than 25 years, I can still say bravo to Ellen Peck, and thank you.

I got this book as a gift from my 62 year old aunt. Offers dated advice (Discos are good for dancing, but not to get to know a date). Silly and unpractical, but good if for nothing else than a shallow look at how things were.