Last month the cover of Time magazine caused quite a stir...nay a full blown controversy for featuring a young mother breastfeeding her young son.
I'm still trying to get my head around what all the fuss was about;
Was it because this was a stunning looking young woman who could easily pass for a model, as opposed to the tie-dyed, sandal wearing 'mother earth' breastfeeding stereotypes?
Is it because her son Aram 'looked' too big to be breastfed? He's only 3 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years of age and beyond.
Was it because Aram appeared to be feeding from a strange and unnatural position (standing upright)? Funny enough given the shape and positioning of the breast his mother could have turned him upside down and he still would have been able to latch on. There are at least 360* of possibilities...I should know I've tried many of them!
So many people were shocked, outraged and disgusted at this depiction of the most natural act in the world. The puritans and the 'breasts are for the pleasure of lovers only' brigade went into near apoplectic overdrive.
Some people even suggested that Aram will be subjected to unmerciful bullying when he's older for suckling at his *shock horror* mother's breast, albeit on an international platform.
And then there's this...
(NSFW)
Was it because this was a stunning looking young woman who could easily pass for a model, as opposed to the tie-dyed, sandal wearing 'mother earth' breastfeeding stereotypes?
Is it because her son Aram 'looked' too big to be breastfed? He's only 3 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years of age and beyond.
Was it because Aram appeared to be feeding from a strange and unnatural position (standing upright)? Funny enough given the shape and positioning of the breast his mother could have turned him upside down and he still would have been able to latch on. There are at least 360* of possibilities...I should know I've tried many of them!
So many people were shocked, outraged and disgusted at this depiction of the most natural act in the world. The puritans and the 'breasts are for the pleasure of lovers only' brigade went into near apoplectic overdrive.
Some people even suggested that Aram will be subjected to unmerciful bullying when he's older for suckling at his *shock horror* mother's breast, albeit on an international platform.
And then there's this...
(NSFW)
The photo of a young male Irish supporter about to suck the nipple of a complete stranger in front of a vast audience at a football match (Ireland v Croatia Euro 2012). The only response this photo seems to have provoked is titilation (sorry) and an attempt at coming up with the breast (oops Freudian slip) puns; "Making the breast of the situation", "Caught in a booby trap", "Irish supporter had the breast time" etc., etc., etc..
In years to come I wonder which young man will be more embarrassed by their respective photos.
In years to come I wonder which young man will be more embarrassed by their respective photos.