I'll Never Understand the Hangup with...
 

Breast isn't best: readers tell US parenting magazine

by Jocelyne Zablit
Thu Aug 3, 10:39 PM ET


WASHINGTON (AFP) - Readers of a US parenting magazine are crying foul over the publication's latest cover depicting a woman breastfeeding, with some calling the photo offensive and disgusting.


"I was SHOCKED to see a giant breast on the cover of your magazine," one woman from Kansas wrote in reaction to the picture in Babytalk, a free magazine that caters to young mothers. "I was offended and it made my husband very uncomfortable when I left the magazine on the coffee table."
Her reaction was part of some 5,000 letters the magazine has received in response to a poll to gage reader sentiment about Babytalk's August cover photo, which shows a baby nursing.

Several readers said they were "embarrassed" or "offended" by the Babytalk photo and one woman from Nevada said she "immediately turned the magazine face down" when she saw the photo.

"Gross, I am sick of seeing a baby attached to a boob," the mother of a four-month-old said.

Another reader said she was "horrified" when she received the magazine and hoped that her husband hadn't laid eyes on it.

"I had to rip off the cover since I didn't want it laying around the house," she said.

A national television program also ran a segment on the controversy, interviewing several people in New York who expressed disgust over the cover photo.

The picture in Babytalk was aimed at illustrating the controversy surrounding breastfeeding in the United States, where a national survey by the American Dietetic Association found that 57 percent of those polled are opposed to women breastfeeding in public and 72 percent think it is inappropriate to show a woman breastfeeding on television programs.
Babytalk executive editor Lisa Moran said though most of those who responded to the poll about the cover photo gave the magazine a thumbs up, she was surprised that some 25 percent expressed outrage.
"There is a real puritanical streak in America," Moran told AFP. "You see celebrities practically baring their breasts all the time and no one seems to mind in this sort of sexual context.

"But in this very natural context of feeding your child, a lot of Americans are very uncomfortable with it."

She said the controversy is all the more surprising in light of concerted efforts by the US government and health professionals to encourage women to breastfeed.

"Everyone is saying that breastfeeding is best for baby but there is so little support for it in public," Moran said.

She said the Babytalk cover photo marks the first time a major parenting magazine in the United States dares to break the taboo about showing a woman's breast and the outrage it has prompted is not about to discourage editors from doing it again.

"This hasn't scared us off at all," Moran said. "We're thrilled and hopefully this will help women get more support for nursing."

but vanity fair has demi moore and maxim has half a breast on their cover every month and no one gives a crap?!...these people that are complaining or "tearing the cover off" need to go see a doctor to have their rectal-cranial inversion syndrome treated.

They are just being good Christi.....

err... nevermind.

more breasts on magazines please

I'm glad to see we've come to a point in the US where pretty much everything is considered offensive.

I'd hit it.

(had to be done)

What kills me about this is not that it's normal and natural and healthy, it's that it could just as easily be a fat person's elbow or a knee. Without seeing nipples (which of course, the baby is suckling), it could be many a body part. HOW OFFENSIVE! :rolleyes:

/tk

How about that side boob, does that turn you on?

Well, it shouldn't.. because that's MY side boob...

[quote=Subby"I was offended and it made my husband very uncomfortable when I left the magazine on the coffee table."
[/QUOTE]

dola..

Yaaa... riiiiiiight....

Too bad SideBoobTV isn't a real channel. :D

i was trying to remember how the lines went...you beat me to it.

She had to rip off the cover, LOL! I wonder if she wears a bra when taking a shower because it is so horrible!! OH NOES, A BREST!

Dirty DIRTY titty!!!!

Funny. My 3 year old just walked into the room while I was looking at the screen and said, "Hey, look at that baby. That baby is sucking on an elbow."

:D

Fixed.

Now that's embarrassing and offensive.

the scariest part to me - these are not random idiots freaking out over a mom feeding her kids in a Starbucks. these are people who SUBSCRIBE TO BABYTALK MAGAZINE.

I'll agree with this. I'll also add that while I have NO trouble with a mother breast feeding an infant in public, I do get more than an uneasy feeling when I see some toddler(eithteen months plus) walk over and attach him/herself to their mother's breast. I've seen mothers breast feed up to four year olds, and that just ain't right.

My wife and I both agreed it wouldn't start getting weird until our kids would be old enough to have words for it, but both stopped long before that happened.

Unless you're the 4 year old, and then it's just GREAT!

People are fucking idiots.

The woman expressing moral outrage about this are married to men who write the letters complaining about the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue every year, as though they just fell off the turnip truck and subscribed to SI without knowing they do a swimsuit issue.

WTF do these people think tits are for?

Am I the only person who thinks that breast feeding should be private and not put on the cover? I mean people who are walking past the magazine rack shouldnt have to see it. Would people be ok with a male hand wrapped around a stiff penis for the magazine Sexual Health?

Or shouldn't I ask that here?

If you can't tell the difference between the two, then no, you shouldn't ask that here. Or anywhere else for that matter.

I think those women are just jealous their boobs didn't look as good when they were breastfeeding. I mean c'mon - that side boob is smooth with a creamy, healthy skin. Where are the stretch marks and bulging blue veins so common with breastfeeding?

Beneath about 6 layers of Photoshop...

:D

Worst. Second Post. EVAR.

Yeah, that was definitely a ridiculous 2nd post. The picture is not a girl fondling her nipple. She's breast feeding dammit. Plus with a name called Noddadropp, I have a feeling that this is someone's joke account.

And it ain't even close to the prior holder of that record.

Wait a minute, I think my wife subscribes to that magazine now.

*runs off to search the house*

They're not there because that's a picture of my ass.

Yes, or so it would seem.


Why not? Why can't they look at something else? why can't they look at a magazine they'd rather read? Why the hell must every individual cowtow to the few, the ignorant, the people who can't get a grip on their sexuality and thereby take it out on the rest of us with inane demands like "I shouldn't have to see that"?


I personally wouldn't give a shit less what was on the cover, thats the whole problem, far too many people with FAR too much time on their hands feel they have some right to force their views and social requirements on everyone else.

If you honestly think your comparison makes ANY real sense whatsoever, then perhaps you need to start studying pregnancy, birth and babies, because there is nothing on that cover that should be offending ANYONE.

People need to grow the hell up and show some maturity about sexuality in this country.

Interesting... Considering your name.

I think that breastfeeding shouldd be in private, but if a woman uses a cover in public it is fine. I also think a baby breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural thing. The fact that people have hangups about it is strange.

For a magazine of this format, I find absolutly nothing wrong with this. Look at that baby's eyes staring at (presumably) its mother. There is something there that is what life is all about.

With all that said, I have to say that the first thing I wanted to post was "Got Milk?" :D

Thanks for making me feel crappy just because I don't agree with you guys. Very welcoming.

For SOME people, a breast is a sexual organ as is the male penis. Just because you guys are liberal and interested in seeing boobies on a cover doesn't mean that it isn't as offensive to some people as seeing the male thingy. Some people don't get off on semi-pornographic material.

Now, go ahead and rip on my 3rd post.

Oh, and my name is because I don't drink alcohol. Not a drop. Get it?

Vikings fan?

Vikings fan? Not really. I like the Broncos for NFL and Jazz for NBA. When I go home (Utah) after missionary work I'm going to buy season tickets.

Interesting, you have a problem with this type of health magazine about breastfeeding at the checkout stand, but not the half nude Vogue, Glamour, or Maxim magazines?

Yes, because when I think of breast feeding, I think of sex. This is perfectly healthy and natural, as is my rational fear of breasts.

Who are you to tell me what magazines I do or do not have a problem with? That's pretty assuming, I think.

Uh oh.


I have a sister in Utah. They are some nutty people out there. Reputation 100% deserved.

There are nutty people in every city. Quit feeding stereotypes.

Yes. Except in this case, in this state, the reality exceeds the stereotype.

Isn't Massachusetts the state that legalized gay marriage? And you're going to rip on Utah for being nutty...

I'll try not to laugh for the rest of the week about that one.

I was suckered into a gimmick account, nicely played sir.

Hey your name is an anagram for dd porno pad!

or porn pond ad

Or dp porno dad.

Clever.

Talking about sexual. Missionary? Dude lay of the sexual positions.

Don't bring your sex talk into my forums that I enjoy!

Worst 2176th post ever.

Ok, that was almost clever. Some potential is showing.

Not really, I mean all he did was copy what someone said about his second post. The guys is most deffinately a troll.

Meh. I give him a week before he gets disgusted by us.

;)

/tk

You're missing the point.

There is NOTHING sexual about breastfeeding, its the single most NATURAL thing a woman can do. If YOU have a problem with a BREAST then perhaps you YOU should get some counseling about YOUR sexual hangups.

Equating a breastfeeding babe to a penis and pornography is pathetic. Grow the Fuck UP.


As for your "liberal" comment, good god, does everything have to have some political connotation? this isn't about politics, this is about SOME people trying to foist their personal hangups off on others.

As I've said many other times, YOU control what YOU stare at, if you can't see someone breastfeding and CHOOSE to look in another direction, who's problem is that? Yours.

Its the same for me, I can't stand all the religious rhetoric that is plastered over the entire freaking universe. I can't go 2 blocks around my home without having to see some "gGod can save you" arrogance hanging in a window or on a wall or on a bumper sticker. *I* personally would love to see THAT banned. however, everyone has the right to say their peice, so I CHOOSE to ignore the tripe when I see it.

You might want to learn to do the same.

*chuckles*

No shit, if he finds a breastfeeding image offensive he won't last here.


Edit: adding DOLA just for you know who.

Responding to HA's posts has lowered your standards.


Edit: Adding DOUBLE DOLA for the same reason.

The other problem with what you posted, Noddadrop, is that your'e completely missing this thing called etiquette.

You'll find that we're generally a good group here, but we gotta get to know you first, before we feel like listening to you (or anybody new) "preach." Your first (as far as I can tell without looking too hard) 10 posts here have been in this thread where you've basically told us that you think you're better than all of us because you don't drink and because you think it's reprehensible for having a breast on a magazine. A breast, mind you, that we've already established looks like an elbow.

There are threads where things can get heated and people can be found attacking eachother and eachother's beliefs. You'll find them labedl "POL" for politics and you'll notice that most of the bantering is done by well-established members of the community, people who are well known and though it might look like they are personal attacks (ok, sometimes they are), generally it's known that they're expressing a very charged feeling and it can be let go.

For anybody to do that in their first posts on the board suggest to everybody that they're a troll. Hence you've been labeled as such. There's nothing wrong with what you or anybody else believing what you want to believe, but don't give us the "holier than thou" attitude when we barely know you, it's really not a good way to start off and a fast and sure way to get labeled, fairly or not.

/tk

Would you quit being such a fucking troll! :mad:

j/k

Come on man, that's too difficult for people to do.

I know, but believing in evolution to some extent I have to trust that humanity will get a kick in the ass and get over this pathetic hump sooner or later....

Typical BYU fan... ;)

You can't just whip out a 40 year old titty that's your man's titty. That is your man's titty 40 year old titty your man's titty. 20 year old titty community titty. That's for all to see.

Bhhhhaaaaahahhahhahaaaaaaaaaaa!

You are obviously new around here. That's the last thing anyone would ever accuse me of.

It isn't every day I agree with RendeR.

I understand you're fairly "liberal" with your "favors."

Only if your name rhymes with PeeberD or Raft Roger.:D

I don't have any moral or political problem with any cover of a magazine I don't subscribe to, but I definitely find public breast freeding pretty gross and unnerving. Of course, I find babies gross and unnerving, so that probably has more to do with it than the breast.

Breastfeeding has sexual connotations?! What, did Noddabraincell get a hard on when his mom was making him get his dinner?

Don't ask questions you do not want answered, ok?

Interesting.

Would you say you find the image of a breast that does not show the nipple to be an offensive liberal tool designed to employ overt sexual imagery and desolate the sexual mores of today's youth begining in infancy?

The baby is obviously a radical left pervert!

DAMN BILL CLINTON!!!

:D

All babies are radical lefy perverts. That's why they require education.

Seeing that thread before it generated many posts, I thought you guys had the potential to make it funny.

It was even better than I expected! :D

1) Why is it called "preaching" when I express a different viewpoint that happens to be a bit more conservative? I didn't ram my values down your throat, I just said why I don't want to see breastfeeding on a cover of a magazine. From the responses, which varied from personally insulting to downright vulgar and profane, I guess my viewpoint isn't a common one around here. That's fine, but at least have the ETIQUETTE to listen to a different viewpoint without resorting to insults and vulgarity.

2) I never said I was better than anyone because I don't drink. People were making comments about my name so I said where it comes from. Why are you so sensitive about the topic of drinking? Do you drink too much? Do you feel bad about it deep down and is that why you see me "judging" you even though I just explained my own name?

3) Do I have to be accepted by your group and be here for a long time before my opinions can be expressed? You said that people who have been around here are free to express their opinions because people know them. So, I ask you, am I a "troll" because I wanted to start jumping into the community right away instead of tucking my tail between my legs for a few months (or years), or am I a "troll" because you disagree with my opinion? I can gaurantee that if I made a comment about how I just LOVE to see breasts on magazine covers many of you wouldn't be jumping on me for expressing my opinion so quickly.

I stumbled upon this site just recently and even though I know many of you hold different opinions than me, I don't judge you and I don't insult you. Maybe you can extend me the same courtesy.

Thank you.

Anyone else think a debate between The Mormon and The Fundamentalist (Bubba Wheels) would be marginally interesting?

Noddadropp, there are many here that professed believers in Christ, including myself. I suspect that most of us would hear true legalism in your Pharisee-atic position.

Funny, because I was just trying to be reasonable! Guess I overshot...

You guys sure are being rough on the guy. I don't agree with his viewpoint either, but I don't see where its worthy of mockery or being called a troll. *shurg*

In a "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" way, yes it would be.

And the breast is not a sex organ. This is not an opinion or a belief. It's a basic, biological fact. The breast plays no part in sexual reproduction, hence, it is not a sex organ. Its natural function is that of feeding young. That's it.

Now, I ain't saying playing with a nice set of boobies isn't fun. It is, in fact, a nice way to pass some time. But to say that the breast is a "sex organ"? And people try and say that sex education is a bad thing.

EDIT: Honestly, I don't see much of a difference between this guy (and the people in the article) complaining about a breast being offensive compared to 99% of eveything else that gets complained about for being offensive. If he finds public displays of breasts to be offensive, then fine. Be offended by whatever you want, I don't care. (It's when you want government to create and enforce laws based purely on being offended that crosses the line for me.).

Reasonable? You equated a picture of a baby breastfeeding with a guy working his junk. You started way the fuck far from reasonable right out of the gate, and you haven't done much to find your way back yet.

Because conservatism has nothing at all with what you're talking about. I find it curious that some people look at the cover of a magazine devoted to babies, see a woman nursing her child and think that's somehow perverted. Anyone who looked at that and thought "sex" really needs to reevaluate.

So, what is it in that picture that you find offensive? (btw, the breast may be used in sexual situations, but it's not a "sexual" organ in the fashion you're implying)


I don't drink, but I don't go screaming to the heavens that I don't. When you make what you do public, you invite public scrutany for that act. You don't want people to give you hell over it, keep it to yourself.


No one is saying you shouldn't express your opinions, but (and trust me on this, I KNOW), if your opinion is unpopular, expect people to respond. If you can't take that, don't post. This is a community, for sure, and it's one that will call you to task if they think you're being an idiot.

From my experience, if you're expressing a rather idiotic point, people here will let you know. Again, I'm someone who have expressed on numerous occasions idiotic opinions, and I got what I deserved when I said them. Welcome to the club, kid.


Grow a thicker skin. People here don't pull their punches, and they shouldn't have to because you get insulted quickly.

Oh this is just fucking great. Sitting here, a bit tired from a trip to New York City last night, getting ready to enjoy a nice Saturday night watching DVDs rented from Netflix and just relaxing....

And then I read this....

And I agree with WVUFAN.

My nice, relaxing Saturday night is RUINED!!! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!?!?!



:D

Even I make sense half ... er ... a quarter .. er .. a little bit of the time.

And you're welcome, sabotai. Enjoy your liberal, American-hating movie. :)

Fo' sheezy... :p

w00t!

- CeleveeberD.

Hmm, i'm beginning to believe that this person actually exists in the real world. Disturbing.

omg i saw some woman's eyes on a magazine cover
and you know what
eyes are a sexual organ because they can look at penises
i demand blindfolds
this is an outrage
what worse eyes or breasts
thanks

in before the lock

..


;)

What Pumpy has not disclosed is that he is from Iran ;).

I give you the 'burka':



(and yes, sadly, there actually is a womam underneath this...)

nice tits

In a way I can understand this. As it seems most people think that breastfeeding should be something private, so it kinda makes sense to say it's wrong on a certain level. But you did send out a message of not even having the slightest clue about what all the organs of a human body are 'designed' for.

Good for you. I don't drink alcohol either.

Good point. And people are free to share opinios, try to convince others of your points. However, it was you who said he would laugh all week at someone from Massachusets simply because he lives there. You clearly implied that people from places where that's legal are 'nuttier' than 'nutty'. You don't want to be judged on saying you don't drink alcohol, then don't judge others based on where they come from.

See above, you did judge people before ever talking to them. You are doing exactly want you don't want others to do to you.

Sorry, but anyone who thinks breats are a sex organ is retarded.

I had a lot of fun with the idiots that got offended by my wife breast feeding. She did it pretty much anywhere and there were lots of people I got to talk to over it.

It is natural. This is what tits are for. Get over it.

Too be fair, I was rightly giving him crap for being in Utah.

Apparently I stumbled upon a large collection of high schoolers with their own messageboard. I will expect this type of petty insults and responses in the future.

(I'm not trying to offend everyone here. Just the high schoolers. Also the petty people. And Terpkristin who, apparently, is a real jerk)