The Most Important Job in the World cover art

The Most Important Job in the World

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Most Important Job in the World

By: Gina Rushton
Narrated by: Sophie Loughran
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Should we become parents? It's a question that forces us to reckon with what we love and fear most in ourselves, in our relationships and in the world as it is now and as it will be.

When Gina Rushton admitted she had little time left to make the decision for herself, the magnitude of the choice overwhelmed her. Her search for her own 'yes' or 'no' only uncovered more questions to be answered.

How do we clearly consider creating a new life on a planet facing catastrophic climate change? How do we reassess the gender roles we have been assigned? How do we balance ascending careers with declining fertility? How do we know if we've found the right co-parent, or if we want to go it alone, or if we don't want to do it at all?

Drawing on the depth of knowledge afforded by her body of work as an award-winning journalist, Rushton wrote the book that she needed, and others need, to stop a panicked internal monologue and start a genuine dialogue about what we want from our lives and why. The Most Important Job in the World is a powerful, compelling and forensic analysis of the role of motherhood in society today, and the competing forces that draw us towards and away from it.

©2022 Gina Rushton (P)2022 Macmillan Australia Audio Environment Gender Studies Motherhood Parenting & Families Physical Illness & Disease Relationships Science Social Sciences Infertility

Critic Reviews

"Gina Rushton searingly describes the complex internal conflict so many young women feel: do I want kids? And what becomes of me if I do, or don't? I've not read a book that so perfectly captures how I feel as a woman in her late 20s." (Zara McDonald, host of Shameless podcast and best-selling author of The Space Between)

"I can't remember the last book that made me think so much - about all sorts of things I didn't expect. Gina Rushton is what every writer should be - both wise and curious - and when I had finished her fascinating book I saw the world in new ways." (Sean Kelly)

"A mesmerising investigation into the beauty and trauma of motherhood." (Samantha Maiden)
All stars
Most relevant  
was a book written with perfect flow and interflow. I would definitely recommend this book

mind opening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a married 25 year old who is constantly facing the ‘when are you having kids’ but never sure if / when I want them, this is the most relatable book I have ever read / listened to.
I cannot even begin to put into words how connected I felt to this book and how it came at the perfect time in my life. I am so grateful for this book for putting my feelings into words and thoughts as I know it will help me communicate this to my husband, friends and family.
Thank you for raising other topics that I have not even considered as I did not believe they affected me, but are still such important topics.
Thank you

I am in awe, so relatable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An important read that I know I will continue to go back to. Thank you for writing it, Gina.

Essential reading

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Unsurprisingly (and as the author stated in closing), I wish there was a definitive answer to the question. But this book does have some great references and statistics and arguments. A worthwhile read, even if I’m no closer to answering that question

Compelling and inconclusive

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
there are so many layers to the parenthood dilemma and Rushton provides clarity in very subjective circumstances

insightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.