AMES, Iowa — For those who choose not to have children, they are often confronted with judgment and discrimination.
A researcher at the forefront of this movement will present “Childfree by Choice: The Movement Redefining Family and Creating a New Age of Independence” at Iowa State University. Her lecture title is also the title of her book on the subject.
Amy Blackstone, professor of sociology at the University of Maine, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. This lecture is free and open to the public. There will be a book signing and books for sale following her talk.
Blackstone holds a joint appointment in the University of Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, where she is the director of Maine National Education for Women (NEW) Leadership, a nonpartisan program that addresses underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and in politics.
Her research centers on childfree choice, workplace climate and harassment and women’s civic engagement.
In her lecture, Blackstone will discuss the culture and discrimination that surrounds not having children for women, men, gay and lesbian couples, and transgender people. She will discuss the history of the childfree movement and its future.
Blackstone received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Minnesota, and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Luther College.
This lecture is co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Human Sciences, psychology department, sociology department, women’s and gender studies program, University Library, Ames Public Library Friends Foundation and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by Student Government.
Find more information about ISU lectures online or by calling 515-294-9934.
