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Subject:
From:
Barbara Wilson-Clay <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 23 Dec 2000 09:14:29 -0600
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When I worked as a child abuse caseworker in Appalachia I encountered a lot
of people who were totally or functionally illiterate.  They often pretended
they could read.  Shame is a powerful motivator of behavior.  People protect
themselves from being caught out  and discovered as being incapable of
important things.  It seems to be human behavior, even if it isn't wise and
makes no sense.   I myself have often nodded wisely at some stretch of
conversation about which I knew nothing.  I didn't want to be viewed as
ignorant.

 I honestly think that many people who support bfg. (but who are
functionally illiterate in terms of the basic skills to make that support
effective), can't feel safe to admit this.  Part of the reason they feel
uncomfortable asking for the help is that the rules are constantly changing.
They risk asking for a bit of help or accumulate a bit of knowledge, use it
proudly, then the rules change.  Like "toughen the nipples"  or "tickle the
bottom lip"  or "Ram the head into the breast and get the nose close".  As
we get better science, better teaching vocab. all of a sudden those don't
seem like good ideas anymore and here is that person of good will who
suddenly feels like an idiot all over again.  Unfortunately, that is what
happens in science as we learn more.  We have to change the rules to be in
line with the evidence.  I think we just have to acknowledge that in our
communications with our colleagues, inform them of new, better science as we
encounter it, and view our teaching in communities as on-going -- in much
the same way as the other branches of medicine must change practice to
accommodate advances in knowledge.

And we have to make people feel safe from our scorn in order for them to
accept our attempts to educate.
One of the most fun teaching exper. I've had is working with residents in
grand rounds situations where there was a doc doing some basic lactation
science, and my role was to answer questions along the order of "everything
you've always wanted to know about bfg but were afraid to ask".  In a safe
environment this was hilarious and really informative.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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