Utterly Meaningless

You can’t see a nipple. You can’t see the baby’s mouth. I have no time for people who are upset by this.

Snipped from the end of the article:

“I just think it’s one of those moments that should stay between a mother and her child.”

To me, this gets back to a whole other problem where Americans feel they have the right to not be offended. There is no guarantee of a right to never have to view something you don’t like. I doubt that most mothers flop the boob out in a way that draws attention, so most of the time, you really have to be looking to know that there is a baby feeding under mom’s shirt.

If we allow ourselves to be offended by nursing mothers’ breasts, then where do we draw the line? We damn a natural and completely nonsexual act, yet we allow our very young daughters to wear sexually explicit clothing? An eight year old girl in tiny shorts with messages that draw the eye to her butt is fine. An eight month old being nourished is “gross.”

I just love that magazine cover!
On the flipside, it’s pretty sad when women continue to perpetuate the sexualization of women, as if that’s all we are good for. I for one have many other talents at my disposal. Perhaps the woman that was so offended should rethink her role in her family to include more options than carrier of the boobs and defender of the 13 year old boychild’s morals?

Tami,

Mazeltov!

I’m trying to understand how breastfeeding is sexual.

Of course it’s sexual. Only one sex can do it. It’s part of reproduction. It feels pleasurable when done right. It promotes bonding between the giver and the receiver. It’s an important touch stimulus ritual involving intimate body parts.

But that doesn’t mean it’s somehow obscene and degrading.