I agree with Janice that the current debate and publicity are a step forward. Yes, Lori Leibovich
plays the guilt card in a frustrating way, but, by and large, accepts the research-based health
claims about the risks of not breastfeeding. Yes, she can't help but cast one small aspersion at the
research, but I think it is significant that her biggest problem is that the current "pressure" to
breastfeed is frustrating because women who very much want to breastfeed face many obstacles
that frequently derail even the most committed mother. Like Janice, Karleen and others have said,
the breastfeeding community heartily agrees with this assessment of the US. This is significant
common ground.
I think the varied responses to the ad campaign have a lot to do with socio-economic class.
Affluent, well-educated moms tend to, as a matter of course, educate themselves about the latest
health and safety information regarding infant care. If they find that is beyond their power to
fulfill any of the current requirements for "good mothering," this is enormously frustrating. If
insult is added to injury by way of an ad campaign that, in outrageous terms, underlines just how
bad it is to not do what they were unable to do, well, that's when we start seeing angry op-ed
pieces...
On the other hand, and this is not my original idea, women who are less likely to be aware of
current health recommendations, and who are more likely to follow local practices, are much less
likely to have a defensive response to the ad campaign. They are more likely to say, "Wow, is that
true? I need to look into this," which is just the response I imagine the creators of the ads would
want.
In the end, I have to agree with others who have had said that if any pressure should be applied
regarding the shamefully short breastfeeding duration rates in the US, it should be on the health
care sector, government, and employers.
Kerry Ose
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