Photo by Cedric Buchet from the September 2010 issue of Harper's Baazar UK,
via TheFashionSpot
If you've been anywhere near a computer this week, you've probably already heard about the comments made in the current issue of Harper's Bazaar UK by supermodel Gisele Bundchen. The fashion icon -- who has been speaking out for months now about her pain-free, home water birth, her strong belief in the importance of breastfeeding, and even her practice of natural infant hygiene -- did not mince words in the Harper's article:
Then they lit into her on The View:"Some people here [in the US] think they don't have to breastfeed, and I think 'Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?' I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months."And...cue the uproar! It seems that with that one short soundbite Gisele managed to incite the rage of all womankind. When I first read about her statement, on Celebrity Baby Blog, I was shocked by the tenor of the reader's comments, which ranged from eye-popping rage to over-the-top hostility. Here is a small sampling of the negativity spewing from that one blog (countless other sites I've looked at since have comment treads running in a similar vein):
"CHILL OUT GISELE, YOU JUDGEMENTAL B!@$#"
"Never in my life have I posted on something like this before…but boy did she compel me to do so. All I can say is I do not like her or her comments. She really needs to THINK before she makes stupid remarks."
"So let me get this straight. She gave birth at home and it was pain free. She was modelling 6 weeks later and now she tells us that we should breast feed “by law” for 6 months. How full of shit is she."
"Cracks me up when women who have one infant think they are parenting experts and know just how every other mother should parent their children."
"I hope for her sake that she doesn’t have to experience what it’s like to not be able to have a natural birth or not be able to breastfeed in the future, but if she does have to go through it then maybe she’ll gain a bit more compassion for the rest of us. Until then maybe she should keep her unenlightened comments to herself."
"Gisele has had one baby for a few months and she is no expert. I find her to be very know it all and she needs to quit doing interviews."
"Why stop at six months, Gisele? Make it 12 months, at least. And put some force behind your law. Let’s take these babies from their moms. And lock the moms up. I don’t know why I read this stuff. Gisele sounds really impressed with herself and incredibly insufferable and ignorant. Breastfeeding is great, why not just leave it at that? Or find ways to support women who are able to breastfeed? Here is a better idea. How about a law against stupid celebrities."
"She’s just a pretty face that needs to keep her big fat mouth shut.... She should stick to modeling and stop giving parenting advice. It’s not like she knows what it’s like in the real world anyway!!!"
"This woman is ignorant and arrogant. New mothers around the world experience enough guilt, shame and pressure without having this nitwit preach on about something she clearly doesn’t understand well enough. Stop making it worse for new mothers!"
Meanwhile, on her personal blog, Gisele responded to the furor:
"My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law. It comes from my passion and beliefs about children. Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge. I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best."
Melissa Whitworth, who wrote the article in Harper's Bazaar UK, got into the mix as well with a defense of Gisele that was published in The Telegraph:
"Gisele has always been extremely passionate about a variety of issues – environmental preservation, mental and physical health and motherhood. And now it seems we can add breastfeeding to that list.The bit that outraged the mummy brigade was where she said it should be “a law” for mothers to breastfeed for at least six months. “How dare someone so beautiful and rich make us feel bad about ourselves?”, they shrieked.
I can understand why. Gisele has bounced back to her pre-motherhood weight, but that surely is just a freak of genetics. She finds breastfeeding to be easy. But we all know mothers who don’t, despite their best efforts, and thus have to rely on formula. In America, where maternity leave lasts all of five minutes and employers think they are being incredibly kind to provide office “lactation rooms”, six months is an impossible length of time. Which is exactly what Gisele is trying to highlight. Gisele knows only too well that not every mother can enjoy the freedoms she does. And she is not a politician. So hold on a sec: the Gisele Breastfeeding Rule is not waiting to be signed into law. She is just a passionate new mother with an opinion.
I found her to be warm, maternal, energetic, nurturing and passionate – quite the opposite to the steely glamour queen we see swaggering down the runway and gracing the world’s press today…
The resulting outcry shows just how passionately women feel about the issues Gisele has raised. So let’s celebrate the fact that she’s made us talk about the pros and cons of breastfeeding, and not hang the supermodel out to dry."
One of the things that really struck me about this whole controversy is how it highlighted the fact that it is so rare for a big celebrity to speak so passionately and candidly about the issues of breastfeeding and home birth. Certainly Gisele and her husband, Tom Brady, occupy a much higher echelon of mainstream fame than anyone else I can think of who speaks out about these topics. And as you can see from the backlash to her comments, Gisele's fame is actually a blessing and a curse -- although they reach a huge audience, her views are being discounted by many as the airheaded musings of a spoiled rich girl. I hope she continues to speak out, because as frustrating as it is to hear the words of the Gisele-haters, I am also sure that she is inspiring and educating multitudes of people to think about these issues for the first time. If she continues to be vocal about her passions while advocating for the rights of women and babies and raising her children on a natural, gentle path, her views will become impossible to discount.
I, for one, look forward to hearing what she has to say next.
She is free to speak her mind, and if people don't like it, then they can decide not to support her in whatever way they choose. If she had spoken out about not feeding your children meat, or only feeding them organic food, it would have been interesting to see what the backlash would have been.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is disgusting and unacceptable is the fact that people think as a model she is not entitled to an opinion, as if she is not qualified because she does not have a "thinking" job. What year is this? Calling into question her opinion and judging it based on her occupation is so backwards, disturbing, and really telling about how we feel about women. You cannot be beautiful and have a relevant opinion apparently. As a mother she is entitled to any opinion she wants; she made the baby, grew the baby, birthed the baby, and if she wants to tell people about feeding the baby, then she is certainly entitled to do so!
It is a shame that this is even an issue, one more reason to work to change the culture of breastfeeding in this country.
Great post. The vitriol against her is astonishing really. I admire how she's gone against the grain of the mainstream and is speaking out. She wasn't mean, or overly judgemental.
ReplyDeleteI have come to admire her. I think rather than a law, a better route would be to have formula available by prescription only so that it isn't so easily accessible. It's a necessary evil, but I wish it wasn't the norm.
I am a long term breastfeeding momma of all my babies. I am not surprised at the backlash because she used the words 'should be a law...' and she used them from priveledged point of view that was not taking into account a thoughtful consideration of the many reasons women don't nurse AND how much harder it is for a working mother with average or little money to nurse. She says 'if i were just talking with other mothers' but she has to realize at her position- a Supermodel when there just aren't any anymore, a very rarefied and public profile- that her interviews are way outside the stratosphere of a group of moms talking. Saying something should be put into law is a strong opinion and unfortunately it does not seem she thought about how she was putting it before she spoke. Mommy brain. That being said I nursed both my kids for two years each and as a working mom will nurse this one I'm carrying for a long time too. I don't disagree with her passion but do feel it was a thoughtless remark that probably made many women that already feel stressed beyond belief attacked for not being 'good enough Moms', something that already happens enough in our culture, one that is very hard on mothers.
ReplyDeletexo
Wow! I haven't read or heard of this controvery yet, but I support Gisele! It's unfortunate that she used the word law, but seriously, I think there should be so much more education on the subject...it saddens me to know that such a majority of Americans use formula so early. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteShe certainly is free to speak her own mind and I completely support breast feeding.....it is the best "food" for infants!!.....but I also believe it is a "personal decision" and women who chose not to breastfeed should not be made to feel so guilty!!......and a law!...... all we need are more laws in this country!!!!!!!!!!.....women's liberation means it is their right to chose!!???....and most chose to do what is right for them......I agree with Maggie May......possibly she used a poor choice of words but most women are not in the kind of position she is and they have so many issues to deal with that she has no clue about!!.....
ReplyDeleteI think it's CRAZY that women get this hostile over another woman having the opinion that women should actually *gulp* breastfeed their infants. Oh no! Crazy idea. I know it's deaper than that, women in our society today feel a HUGE amount of pressure when it comes to birthing/raising children. But unfortunately they unleash the fury on the wrong side of the fence. Who they should be angry with is their Dr.s for not educating them or giving them the right to informed consent and starting them down a harmful path that could lead to problems breastfeeding/birthing (such as inductions, c-section, etc.)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunate that people like Gisele are rampaged on in this manner. But I am a firm believer that the truth never dies and as much as women hate to hear it, they need to hear it.
Go Giselle.
I only breastfed my child for 3 months and a half but the milk stopped coming. On the other hand, one friend of mine (her daughter was born the same day as mine) breastfed her baby for.... 2 years and 3 weeks !!! It was so weird to see a 2year old ¨eating out¨, as they used to say !
ReplyDeleteShe is just speaking her mind. I do not think it is any more OR LESS valid than any other mothers because she is a model.
ReplyDeleteI do think breastfeeding is natural, awesome and should be more than encouraged. I think it should really be pushed a lot more than it is.
I also think that formula is partially made up of harmful chemicals and should only be a last resort for mother's that cannot breastfeed or pump or afford to use donor milk or a wet nurse. I do think it is THAT bad.
However, I don't see making a law forcing other women that do not agree with me to BF for 6 months though. I can only see that backfiring on the babies in those cases. I believe some moms would start giving cows milk, cereal at insanely early ages or skipping feedings. There are some moms just that against having to breastfeed.
Oh good on her for having an opinion. I was only able to breastfeed on and off for 3 months - I had to supplement with organic formula (we have in Australia I don't know if it is worldwide) - I think any parent with an opinion that is obviously searching to educate themselves in the best interest of their child should be congratulated - better to do that than just sit silent.
ReplyDeleteI agree that breastfeeding is one of the most crucial things a woman can do for her baby. But I think using positive reinforcement and modeling (no pun intended) is the best way to spread the breastfeeding gospel. The law comment was probably just a figure of speech and she didn't really mean that it should actually be implemented. What did kind of rub me the wrong way was her phrase "some women here (in the U.S)..." I'm no flag waving patriot, I just get so tired of the condescending tone many of my non-American friends use to criticize America and that's the way I read Giselle's comment. Because really it's not just an American issue, it's world wide.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to get anyone on board with a cause is to use support and encouragement, not criticism which alienates folks.
I think it's important to look at any issue that matters to SO many people--in this case, all mothers and all babies, so a rather large population--from the point of view of the DISadvantaged. Of course Gisele is "entitled" to her opinion, but her comments were by no interpretation sensitive to those women who are unable to breastfeed, let alone those who make an educated (or not) choice to use formula. I was determined and prepared to breastfeed my first child and could not make it happen, not with prenatal classes and lactation consultants galore. Comments far blander than Gisele's made me well up with disappointment and embarrassment in the aftermath of my failed nursing experience. Now I am on month seven of breastfeeding my second child, after scouring mommyblogs for stories of troubleshooting and second-time success and finding a reassuring AND realistic LC before giving birth.
ReplyDeleteWhat I mean to say is, having been both successful and not at breastfeeding, I would much rather people tailor their language toward moms who have trouble breastfeeding--those who have an easy time of it (like me this time around) are way less desperate for empathy.
Also--Lara, I don't think Gisele telling people "about feeding the baby" is the issue--I think it's the implication that because it was easy for her, everyone can do it--if only they would TRY, or if it was a LAW. That's brutal to hear for those of us who try and fail, or can't try at all.
I don't think she meant the statement literally, I interpreted it to mean "Breastfeeding is REALLY great, and it would be REALLY great if everyone did it for at least 6 months", which I totally agree with. As a die hard feminist I don't think being one is as simple as saying being a feminist is about having a choice. Being a true feminist to me goes beyond that and making the best choice for you and your baby. The epidural for example was largely glorified by feminists saying they are above and too good for the pain of childbirth. ANYWAY, I think the people getting SO angry at what she said could really use examining why they are getting so angry. As someone else said, I think a little introspection would reveal anger at no maternity leave, formula company's sending boatloads of samples, no bfing support, a largely unsympathetic culture, etc, etc. And there is a lot to be angry about there, just not at Giselle. More power to you Giselle! I can only imagine how hard it is to be under that kind of fire.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I also think it's awful that people are berating her because she is priviledged and a model. It's a cheap shot I think to devalue her opinion when they have nothing else to diss her about.
I'm not even *so* sure if she didn't use the word "law" the public response would be that much different. If people feel even slightly threatened about their parenting they freak out and then claim "it's a very personal decision and the one I make no matter what it is is what's best". ((eyeroll))
Wow, just watched the View thing, how annoying!!!
ReplyDeleteA hot topic, indeed! I can see how people might read/interpret her comments as being judge-y. But I happen to agree with you that the US needs more outspoken breastfeeding proponents. We don't tolerate outspokenness so well here. In contrast, Brasilians are, in general, a passionate bunch, and they are much more likely to share advice and opinions (I know, I am married to one). It took me off guard a bit the first time I visited, but it doesn't phase me anymore...people there welcome different opinions and don't take things so personally!
ReplyDeleteI heart my readers! Thank you all for leaving these thought-provoking, in-depth, lengthy comments. What a great conversation.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteI think there's a few things to consider on this case.
First, she's not speaking only to americans. She's also speaking to us, brazilian mothers. And our reality here is soooo diferent. Here, if we want to breastfeed our child the entire period of six months, we need to quit our jobs. Our maternity leave law allows us to stay at home only for sixteen weeks. If a woman needs to stay at home a few weeks before the baby comes, so she has the beautiful period of three months to stay with her baby. Imagine how great it would be if we had a law making every woman BF her baby for six months! It would be amazing!!
The second thing to consider: she's is a brazilian woman. And as Eliza said: we are passionated people. And we don't get upset when someone desagree with us, we just laugh and keep going. It's okay to think in a diferent way and whenever someone talks with great passion about a subject, we laugh again and keep going.
We welcome Gisele's opinion. And here is our point of view about it: She's rich, beautiful... a top model. She could giving formula (the best formula on the world) to her baby. She could choose not to BF to maintain her schedule and figure. But she's not. She's being a real mother. So if a top model can do, why can't we?
Anonymous: At least some people already know why they're angry about Gisele's comments; I do, at least! It's because there's an assumption that those of us who couldn't breastfeed just shrugged our shoulders and said "Whatever" or "This is easier." While that may be the case for some women, they are unlikely to be moved to introspection by anyone's comments, and MORE likely to be dismissive of Gisele regardless of the validity of her statements. Those who did try and could not...we're the ones who care about comments like these, who are wounded initially by our inability to breastfeed and doubly by that assumption that we are lazy or careless.
ReplyDeleteBarbara: To answer your (rhetorical?) question--if Gisele can do it, why can't we?--anecdotally, I spent five weeks trying to get my baby to latch, then pumping, then feeding him breastmilk while preparing supplemental formula, while experiencing D-MER and PPD presenting as severe anxiety. (Neither diagnosis was made until I was successfully but unhappily breastfeeding my second son.) A law that can somehow provide universal access to pre- and postnatal lactation consults, in-hospital/birth center/home support, longer maternity leave, prompt medical diagnoses and thoughtful consideration of physical hurdles to (or the impossibility of) breastfeeding? Sounds excellent! A law demanding that every mother, capable or not, supported or not, breastfeed for six months? That's insulting, self-righteous, and egregiously simplistic.
When I read Gisele's comments, I instantly felt guilty. My milk never really came in despite numerous, exhausting efforts, I tried EVERYTHING. I did breast feed him for the first 12 weeks but always had to supplement with formula, I refused to let him go hungry. Just recently, my milk pretty much ran out, this was during the very sudden death of my father, which I think had something to do with it.
ReplyDeleteMy son is now 14 weeks and is happy and healthy. I am now feeding him formula with a very small amount of breast milk.
I truly think breast is best and never ever thought I would have a problem breast feeding, I felt so bad about it but once I talked to other mothers who had the same problem, I realized I wasn't alone.
As for Gisele, I totally agree with her comment but for some women, like me, it is just not that easy. I think the best thing for mothers is to not judge one another but support one another.
And I agree with the other comments here, I really think she just chose the wrong word.
Leigh, as always another thought provoking post! Thanks:)
She definitely chose the wrong words. I don't want any law to tell me how to raise my child.
ReplyDeleteThat said, my daughter is now 25 months and still breastfeeds. I love breastfeeding and I am lucky it came naturally to me. I was even able to continue to breastfeed after returning to work full time when she was only 2 1/2 months old.
Some mothers because of different reasons are just not able to. I respect them and don't think I'm a better mother because I do.
I think the bigger issue is all the advertising from formula companies and hospitals that sway mother's to not even try breastfeeding. Or the negative comments on how hard it is, how people don't like seeing breastfeeding public, how it hurts, or how your breasts change. There is definitely a lack of education.
I think we need a spokesperson like Giselle, someone who as we can see can get a whole lot of attention from the media to speak about issues like these. I hope in the future she chooses better words, because she is truly doing something wonderful.
(God I hate The View. Somebody make it go away!)
ReplyDeleteI am all for celebrities speaking out for breastfeeding and emphasizing its importance and even going as far as saying that women shouldn't view it as a choice. But I think she went about it the wrong way; hence the backlash. Law over how a woman uses her body is *never* going to go over well; she is undermining the efforts to educate women about how amazing breastfeeding is.
Why do "breastfeeding advocates" always assume mother's who don't breast feed do so by choice....
ReplyDeleteI breast fed for 4 months but could have done so much longer if I wasn't pushed and guilted so much the first month by so called breastfeeding helpers...if I would have had a few days here and there to heal ..as I continued my BF journey(red raw-no skin left on..you get the picture)I think I could have gone longer rather than being traumatized by the fact...you give babies a day of bottles and you've ruined their life,no turning back..speech.
My advise to new mums is that YES BM is the BEST but if you can't ..don't beat yourself up over it.....and MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN BM is a happy Mum for the baby to bond with rather than a guilt riddened one...
Ease-up BM fans...
A quick comment on Giselle's comment...I love reading celebs family and baby stories/comments but Don't you think it would berefreashing if they acknowledged that haveing Nannies/housekeepers help the "motherhood is so satisfying" comments....wouldn't we all love to just do the quality time with baby instead of doing all the housework (and work)?
Finally on so many baby/breastfeeding/babywearing blogs..I sometimes feel it is subconsciously implied the more kids you have the better woman you are.....I believe in quality over quantity....I would of loved 4,but it seems 1 is all "upstairs" has in my lifeplan...not a biggie..I
am very satisfied "as we are"and don't feel any less of a Mum because I don't have 3 or 4...
why can' we all chill out when talking about parenting..
I personally breastfed my daughter and I'm glad i did. BUT, when it comes to our kids, I think it's sad that women aren't more supportive of one another's choices. The most destructive thing you can do--much more destructive than formula-feeding your baby(!)--is to bring judgmental vibes into this world. As women we all need to give each other a break! Gisele is lucky she's had such a blissfully easy time of it. I wish breastfeeding had been that simple for me. I also wish I had her butt :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a totally hot topic! I love it :-)
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I don't think at all that there is "an assumption that those who couldn't breastfeed just shrugged their shoulders and said whatever or this is easier", at least that's not how I feel. I do think though that true problems that make one unable to breastfeed (that can't be fixed with a lactatio consultant) are pretty rare. A friend of mine is one of those women actually, she has hypoplastic breasts, so she truly doesn't have enough milk glands to make enough milk for her babies, so they are in large part formula fed, and she is STILL breastfeeding them as much as she can. I can say for a fact that this friend of mine appreciates Gisele getting the word out there about how great breastfeeding is if you can do it (and there is a hugely likely chance you can). Once again I do not think Gisele seriously meant she wanted there to be a law, and I believe she even confirmed that on her blog. I also am almost completely positive that if a woman truly cannot breastfeed such as in the case of hypoplastic breasts Gisele would say they should be put in jail or something. That sounds so silly and is not in the heart of most pro breastfeeding people. I also don't think that a woman who is truly unable to breastfeed would be so offended by Gisele's comments, if you truly gave it your all, what is there to be so offended about? I think the hurt lies for many women in that with more support/a lactation consult/more maternity leave, etc. etc, they could have actually breastfed when they didn't. Or didn't for a long time. And that hurt should be sent towards those reasons, not Gisele saying breastfeeding is great.
I'm really not sure why people keep saying Gisele honestly meant it should be a law?
I agree; she didn't mean the law thing literally!
ReplyDeleteYes, she is privileged and that makes for a much more easeful parenting role for her.
Nonetheless, the truly bitter comments from women say so much more about the authors than they do about Gisele. Many women are not confident in their choices and the only way they can deal with it is to call others names, etc. That's the sad thing. Women's disempowerment is a much bigger problem than some children receiving formula!
i dont really follow celebrities but i was delighted by someone speaking out about breastfeeding, people were just as baffled when salma hayek breastfed the starving baby on one of her humanitarian trips, i find it sad that so many people cant see the love and beauty of nursing, in my opinion one of the greatest gifts a mother and child were given!
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that I really don't think that the majority of women have a problem with WHAT Gisele is saying but rather HOW she says it. It's a shame, because the issues that she discusses need so much more support and she has a fantastic platform to highlight them. Unfortunately though, I find that her interviews never come across to me as empowering to women but rather as quite condescending. The message gets lost in the delivery. It saddens me because each time I read a new interview from her I find myself feeling upset when I really want to be able to celebrate and rally around her choices and her passion. Passion about these topics is SO important and I think there are so many bloggers and other people out there who outspokenly support these important issues in a way that both celebrate women and our amazing capabilities to carry, birth, and nourish our children (physically and otherwise) and also champion for our struggles to do those things as well (whether they be physical struggles or struggles against the societal contraints that make things difficult for mothers). Unfortunately, I'm just never left with those feelings when I read an interview with Gisele and I think that's a shame.
ReplyDeletewow, i've been our of town all week and had no idea this was going on. so glad she is speaking out, and in support, of breastfeeding despite the odds.
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that she is giving young girls who look up to her something to think about : homebirth, breastfeeding, etc. instead of just being skinny and beautiful. I think it adds such dimension and character to her persona. I have a new respect for her, myself, although I don't necessarily agree with her views.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, she is just advocating doing what is best for the child. She has my support (not that she needs it, I am sure!)
I venture to guess that if she had a horribly painful labor and delivery and a terrible, painful, upsetting breastfeeding experience then she would be singing a whole different tune.
ReplyDeleteIt's fine to have opinions but I feel that much of what she's said recently about birth and breastfeeding comes off as holier than thou.
Nell
While I support a lively debate about breastfeeding, I'm becoming less and less confident that a civil discussion can occur. Everyone is so passionate about these issues, which is wonderful, but the extreme language used on both sides feels like a virtual fistfight to me.
ReplyDeleteI know of many women who have struggled with breastfeeding. I would rather there were more policies in place to support women and men who are raising small children.
Wow, I had not heard of this situation (away from the news and computer for a long time) and I am shocked at the comments that people made.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I breastfed both of my kids for over 2 years, so you can say that I am a supporter!
When an impossibly beautiful, rich and privileged new mother feels the need to lecture on the do’s and don’ts of motherhood it’s hard for me not to roll my eyes. I recall Gisele making some sensitive comment about how her stepchild was as much her child as ‘the person who gave birth to him’. I can see what she was trying to do, publically announce that she was in love with her step child but yikes, I’ll bet the boy’s actual mother was pretty irked.
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding is wonderful for mother and baby and I applaud measures that aim to promote it. However maybe one of the main reasons for women choosing not to breastfeed is down to socio-economic reasons, working in a low paid job and then going home to look after more than one child, it’s easy to see why a mother would eschew breastfeeding.
It seems that there are a lot of middle class mothers these days who are pretty ruthless in their judgment of other mothers choices. Most women are raising their children in the best way that they can. Whether or not you have strong views on aspects of child rearing it’s no excuse to be overly-judgmental if other people don’t share your philosophy.
thanks for summarizing this controversy. "The View" discussion was ridiculous and typical, although I couldn't help but chuckle at the "double latte" comment. (i guess it's good to laugh at myself!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this! I appreciate Giselle's frankness. We all know how interviews published in magazines can take an innocent comment and make it sound crazy when it's out of context.
ReplyDeleteI hate that women are taking Giselle's comment as a threat or feeling a sense of guilt of blame because of it. Of course there are exceptions and women who have trouble breastfeeding or families where it's not possible because of adoption, etc...BUT more and more studies are showing just how important breast milk is for new babies-- not just nutritionally but for the bonding experience. Working mothers here in the U.S. have it SO HARD, and that's what Giselle's comment really brought up for me. I don't recieve any paid maternity leave at my job and will only be able to take a few weeks of before returnig to work, because of my family's financial situation. This is something that needs to be addressed. I don't think it's a coincidence that our country, with it's very high incidence of things like obseity, anxiety, cancer and depression also has basically NO widespread support for breastfeeding and quality maternity/paternity leave.
Great for her having an opinion. Great for her having the access to voice her opinion. She should have the knowledge, however, that since she was not in fact, sitting around chatting with other moms and instead doing a magazine article that millions would read, to be a little more gentler with her words. I'm not saying she had to back down from her opinion in anyway, but the WAY she said it made millions of mothers out there feel like there's just one more person telling them they are doing something wrong as a mother.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why these women are up in arms over the "law" comment is because that's what most women do when their motherhood is being questioned or looked down upon.
That's fantastic that Gisele has just a strong support for breastfeeding, but how about not being so narrow minded and think about how breasfeeding is IMPOSSIBLE for some women.
I was formula fed from the day I was born. I am a very healthy and active woman. I have not damage from "harmful chemicals". And this was 30 years ago when formula was not nearly as advanced as it is today. Come on people, wake up, and have a heart!