Feminist activist and author, Amy Richards in Opting In: Having a Child Without Losing Yourself, provides a comprehensive view of motherhood and all its dimensions.

Richards utilizes memoir, historical insights, interviews and feminist ideals to convey the anxiety involved in parenting that contemporary women face. The modern twist covers topical issues such as the truth regarding female’s biological clocks and the trend towards extending fertility, whether naturally or through new advances in medicine.

The typical choices females face are explored in terms of should mothers stay at home, return to work or balance both work and family responsibilities effectively. Richards also unearths underdeveloped issues such as the role of fathers in parenting and the impact this has on the mother’s career goals and aspirations. In addition, the relationship with our mothers is shown to be related to the upbringing commonalities used for the next generation. Similarly to other novels, the ideology of feminism is approached in relation to motherhood and the ability to parent with nature and nurturing of one’s mind.

Richards explores the women’s movement which has advanced the scope of choices available to mothers to choose work, family caring and the ability to balance both. Richards also includes contemporary policy that effects women’s future such as the Family and Medical Leave Act as well as flex time arrangements. Richards’ views are impacted by the use of solid feminist history and her roles as the cofounder of the Third Wave Foundation and Soapbox. There is a personal touch included as Richards affirms her experience with raising her two sons in unity with her unmarried partner.

Overall, Richards provides a useful framework for contemporary career women, based on feminist ideals. Women are encouraged to strongly embrace motherhood as well as striving for their ambitions and aspirations at the same time. The advances to women’s choices are outlined as a non sexist child-rearing culture, nurturing friendships with women particularly in the corporate sphere as well as the balancing act of household work between both parents. Richards’ objective of Opting In, is for women to follow feminist theory, in terms of the achievement by the first waves of feminists. Women are encouraged to prioritize their goals through advocating strongly in the community for dignity and respect. As a parent and one of America’s leading feminist activists, Richards propels women to be confident in following their destined path whilst supporting their family and being self fulfilled.