Soured

[alivemagdolene]

I'm finding myself disappointed in this article. I'm aware I'm not a mother so therefore I lack that insight. I realize that Valenti does, however fleetingly, point out a few of the injustices nursing mothers face.

But she fails to address the institutionalized misogyny that existed (and in some circles continues to exist) surrounding breast-feeding. For years, generations of women were told (almost always by male doctors in a male-dominated medical establishment) what their bodies produced naturally for their babies was inferior to one of any of the commercial formulas available. Breast-milk is still perceived by many as something disgusting and/or unhygienic and the idea of breast-feeding in public equal to masturbating in public.

Of course making the choice not to breast-feed shouldn't be treated as tantamount to child abuse. But the idea that the shaming of mothers who don't breastfeed is not only equal to but greater than the shaming of the act of breast-feeding in general is ridiculous. At least to me.

Comments

[alivemagdolene.livejournal.com]

ADDENDUM: ANNNNNDDDD I realize now it was through Valenti that I first heard the term "lactivist", particularly in response to misogynist practices (I recall her description of a "nurse-in" after a Victoria Secret objected to a patron nursing in *gasp* ONE OF THEIR FITTING AREAS!).