Valerie asks an illuminating question: << Is feminism about imitating the male model of society or about finding our own uniqueness? >> When feminism re-emerged in the 1960s, the stated intent was to support women in their family role as much as in employment. Unfortunately the struggle for workplace equity became so all consuming that the movement was distorted until now there are feminists who seem to value women only when they are doing what men can do. A paradox! Men, as Freud did, tend to look at sexuality as intercourse. Niles Newton, on the other hand, pointed out that for women sexuality is much more: ovarian cycle, intercourse, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. (To which I would add menopause, ala the work of anthropologist Kristen Hawkes.) Note that two of the female sexual roles involve an interpersonal relationship: intercourse and lactation. The intercourse relationship is deemed important, the lactational relationship has been treated as disposable. Why? As a biology based feminist, I maintain that they are equally important. There are plastic prothesis that can be substituted for each. Artificial vaginas, penises for orgasms, devises for artificial insemination and artificial infant feeding. The plastic artifacts used for mock intercourse are considered private at best and frequently as obscene. The plastic artifacts used for mock lactation are celebrated and in the US commonly used as a design element on gift wrap and greeting cards. There is a considerable body of writing on the influence intercourse on the shaping of human behavior and relationships. Where is the comparable body of literature on lactation as a shaper of identity, behavior, relationships and satisfaction in life? Alice Martino biology based feminist in central New York State *********************************************** 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