I've had to completely write off Naomi Wolf. Whether the Tweets were meant to be "tongue-in-cheek" or not, I just can't... I dunno. Justify them. Sigh.
I can appreciate (a bit) where she's coming from with some women not having the time (although to make it sound as though it's a leisurely activity the way she does in the article squicks me-- from so many mothers now including you I realize it's a beautiful experience, but it's still caring for your child responsibly, not just a luxury) due to professional obligations, but to equate that (or to make it sound as though it's worse!) to the misogyny that still exists around breastfeeding is beyond fucked up.
I'm sorta on the outs with Valenti. She left out a big population in all of her books (bisexual women) and given the particular sexism that surrounds us, you'd think she'd know better. I actually left a (respectful) message on her FormSpring stating I was a fan and asking if she planned to talk about the sexism revolving around bisexual women in any of her future work (I know she's straight, but she's talked about sexism involving lesbians). She's answered questions from other people that left stuff after I did, mostly fan squee. Maybe I'm just flattering myself expecting a response to that when she's got a baby and a book tour to do.
I don't think (again, I speak as a non-parent) that asking if someone intends to breastfeed is any worse than any other question about parenting, especially coming from someone that's a parent. And that's such a fucking stupid reason. It reminds me of the fact many women are breastfeeding since they've heard it's a great way to drop the pregnancy weight. I know the end result is what's key, but the idea of "HEY, HOW ABOUT THE FACT THE PERFECT FOOD IS COMING OUT OF YOUR BODY FOR YOUR BABY AND YOU SHOULD IGNORE THE BULLSHIT THAT YOU'VE BEEN FED BY THE MALE-DOMINATED MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT FOR SO LONG AND THE MEDIA ABOUT HOW BREAST-MILK IS 'GROSS'!?!" is hard to resist saying. Or screaming. Whatever.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2011-03-06 05:21 am (UTC)I can appreciate (a bit) where she's coming from with some women not having the time (although to make it sound as though it's a leisurely activity the way she does in the article squicks me-- from so many mothers now including you I realize it's a beautiful experience, but it's still caring for your child responsibly, not just a luxury) due to professional obligations, but to equate that (or to make it sound as though it's worse!) to the misogyny that still exists around breastfeeding is beyond fucked up.
I'm sorta on the outs with Valenti. She left out a big population in all of her books (bisexual women) and given the particular sexism that surrounds us, you'd think she'd know better. I actually left a (respectful) message on her FormSpring stating I was a fan and asking if she planned to talk about the sexism revolving around bisexual women in any of her future work (I know she's straight, but she's talked about sexism involving lesbians). She's answered questions from other people that left stuff after I did, mostly fan squee. Maybe I'm just flattering myself expecting a response to that when she's got a baby and a book tour to do.
I don't think (again, I speak as a non-parent) that asking if someone intends to breastfeed is any worse than any other question about parenting, especially coming from someone that's a parent. And that's such a fucking stupid reason. It reminds me of the fact many women are breastfeeding since they've heard it's a great way to drop the pregnancy weight. I know the end result is what's key, but the idea of "HEY, HOW ABOUT THE FACT THE PERFECT FOOD IS COMING OUT OF YOUR BODY FOR YOUR BABY AND YOU SHOULD IGNORE THE BULLSHIT THAT YOU'VE BEEN FED BY THE MALE-DOMINATED MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT FOR SO LONG AND THE MEDIA ABOUT HOW BREAST-MILK IS 'GROSS'!?!" is hard to resist saying. Or screaming. Whatever.