I'd like to finally jump in on the sex objects disc. Previous studies have
shown that when asked what attracked a person to their mate, they don't say
their breasts or their buttocks...it is almost always something like "their
sense of humor" or "their eyes". This is a cross-cultural phenomenon. In
fact, the most universal response seems to be that the "eyes" are what
attracts people to one another (maybe it's that the eyes are the window to
the soul thing). Anyway, even in the most socially and religiously
conservative societies where women are covered from head to toe, exposure of
the eyes are usually permitted (there are a few exceptions I understand).
So, it seems ridiculous that we in the US and other western nations require
women to cover their breasts to be socially acceptable.
Just about ANY body part can be made to be sensual. Eroticism is highly
dependent on emotional state, as well as socially/culturally dictated
taboos. Some find toes to be "their thing" while others respond to their
nape of their neck being blown on. How the media portrays these body parts
is often relevant, but so is how often we are allowed to see them. I think
that the fact that we cover breasts with clothing and bras makes this
situation worse. Perhaps more casual exposure to breasts in everyday
life--not in a sexual way--would desensitize us to their "shock" value. I
particularly enjoyed how open Scandinavian women were about their breasts
when I visited, but I still was surprised by my own response to seeing very
pregnant women sunbathing totally unclothed with the exception of very tiny
bikini bottoms (during the summer). After I adjusted, I was delighted, but
it raised another issue of why we find it necessary in the US to drape
pregnant bellies with tons of fabric (especially when pregnant women get so
hot). Again, it's a culturally defined norm.
IMNSHO, I find it upsetting that women feel it necessary to cover their
breasts when bf. I think it sends the wrong message as though they are
doing something illicit or improper when in fact they couldn't be doing
something MORE beneficial. There is a joke that a man walks into a drug
store and yells "Can I please have a case of condoms" as soon as he enters;
then when he gets to the counter, he whispers "also, I'd like a case of
cigarettes." I repeat this late 1980s/early 90s joke (which showed how
socially acceptable safe sex had become and how the social norms for smoking
had changed) because I think it illustrates how Bandura's Social Learning
Theory can have a powerful impact.
Just my 2 mls,
Chris
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask]
INFANT CUISINE AND MOTHER CARE: Lactation Consulting, Perinatal Health
Education and Attachment Parenting Classes for parents and practitioners
Corvallis, Oregon
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
