From the Patriot Ledger Online:
http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2007/12/18/life/life02.txt
It ends with "Everything I do is for the well-being of my boy, and
I’ll be damned if someone labels me a lousy mom for not breastfeeding."
There are numerous instances of the "straw-breastfeeder", but what I
see here is someone who knows that formula feeding is not as good for
her child (despite the fact that almost everyone is doing it) and who
through possibly necessity or possibly through poor information was
not able to nurse past one week. She takes it out on breastfeeding
women. She feels the loss, the guilt and so does what those in a
majority position often do which is assume underdog status in order
to gain sympathy and feel justified in rebelling. Notice she is angry
at the one magazine (Mothering) that does not show the status quo
feeding method, which in turn "makes" her feel bad. But she has all
of U.S. culture behind her, since the majority of U.S. babies are
formula fed either entirely or partially. Exclusive breastfeeding at
6 months was reported in Mothering magazine 2 issues ago at hovering
around 10%. Nowhere has anyone labeled anyone a lousy mother or
declared that mothering is only about breastfeeding (as the title of
the piece implies).
It reminds me a bit of the article by the doctor in the Globe a few
years ago which is still available online:
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2004/02/03/
sure_breast_is_best_but_is_it_worth_it/
So, while breastfeeding women are still discriminated against daily
(with no laws yet to protect them here in Massachusetts) do we really
need OpEd pieces complaining about how much we oppress the status
quo? Or is this a sign that the old order is threatened and that
change is on the horizon? What do these published opinions *mean*?
Michelle DePesa
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome