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PUBLIC OPINION > Time's Breastfeeding Cover Went Too Far

SodaHead Living 2012/05/11 13:00:00
Anyone who got a glimpse of the cover of the latest issue of Time magazine will have that image forever emblazoned in their fragile memory banks. It depicts Jamie Lynne Grumet, an attractive blonde mother, with her 3-year-old son standing on a chair in front of her, mouth latched onto her left breast. The caption is, "Are You Mom Enough?: Why attachment parenting drives some mothers to extremes." Regardless of the article's intent, the image is striking and, some feel, a little bit... provocative. We asked the public if the cover went too far.

time breastfeeding sodahead

Well, it didn't top Google trends because it was "perfectly acceptable." First of all, the kid's almost four. That alone is awkward to the max. What is he going to think when he gets a little bit older? Second of all, the photographer who took that also took pictures of three other mothers who are breastfeeding their older children. Must they use the attractive blonde for the cover? Some said it looks like an act of pedophilia at first glance. Defenders argued that the public has no right to dictate how she should raise her child.

Christians Can't Stand It

Typically, when religion and politics play a dividing role, politics has the stronger pull. This time, it was religion. Christians were 33% more likely to say the magazine went too far, presumably because of the image's borderline inappropriateness. Atheists, however, were pretty split.

Men Don't Mind as Much

Both genders sided against the cover, but men were significantly less likely to point fingers. It's tough to say exactly why that is, but some of the comments -- "I'm jealous!" "Can I take the 4-year-old's place?" "Crazy mom doesn't look half bad" -- offered a clue. Awkward? Certainly, for most. But for some guys, the kid is just an inconvenient obstruction.

Married Mind It a Lot

Age didn't seem to correlate, nor did parenthood, but relationship status had a big impact. Married voters were 11% more likely than singles to disapprove, and 20% more likely than unmarried voters in a relationship.


If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about Time's breastfeeding cover. We'd love to hear from you!
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  • Sister Jean 2012/05/14 16:54:24
  • JOMO Sister ... 2012/05/14 19:29:05
    JOMO
    +1
    Sister Jean..., your one word is worth one thousand....! JOMO
  • Flamingolady 2012/05/14 16:44:00
    Flamingolady
    +2
    I nearly fell out of my chair laughing when I read some of the comments here! Can't add anything at all, except this is a no brainer. When a baby starts getting teeth, time to wean if not before!!! This is one stupid scenario, and the adults buying into it are, well, idiots. seriously
  • bambinoclipper 2012/05/14 16:04:34 (edited)
    bambinoclipper
    +2
    Liberal in the making. I am convinced that the liberal men in this country are whimps because they were breast fed too long. Can you say Mamas Boys ! So typical !
  • AudioHipster Doyen 2012/05/14 15:38:50
    AudioHipster Doyen
    Parenting is the only real job that is truly full time... someone needs to tell that to the fake lier in office that. Women have a god given moral right to breast feed. and it is the most endearing expression... of true freedom and a proper diet. IMPEACH... give the power back to the People & the United States not the Federal Bull-Dung... jail them for treason and printing money they cannot back! Paper IOW, please, we or our breastfeeding children are NOT not paying your illegal spending back. AudioHipster Recording Approved.
  • curt 2012/05/13 10:06:51
    curt
    +2
    I wish I was young again.
  • Sister ... curt 2012/05/14 16:54:51
  • 2585661 2012/05/13 09:54:24 (edited)
    2585661
    +1
    It's a mother nursing her child, nothing sexual about it, yeah he's too old but that doesn't make it sexual. If you think it's sexual there is something questionably wrong with you!
  • AudioHi... 2585661 2012/05/14 15:54:30
    AudioHipster Doyen
    Hey I agree, altho a 4 year old is not too young to breast feed, Our mother of 7 personally breast fed me till 5 and my mother had 3 sister's both came down with breast cancer, and my mother did not... not saying that had something to do with it, but it could have... and we know Breast Feeding is not only healthy for the child, but the mother as well... stop the Socialism... vote for a Freedom of Breastfeeding & Expression Day. to stop public breastfeeding, is a mark of an oppressive society. Free the Breast & Feed the Child.
  • democoach AudioHi... 2012/05/14 17:19:21
    democoach
    here is a certain age where a child needs to STOP breastfeeding! 5 is way too old! way way way too old! you should be on solid foods by then, actually you should be by age three
  • May AudioHi... 2012/05/14 19:04:37
    May
    I have seen women who very tastefully covered the child and their breast with a lightweight receiving blanket while feeding in public. I have no problem with that, very classy. I do have a problem with them whipping it out for all to see. You would not normally do that, so to me, they are an exhibitionist using that as an excuse to show their wares. And for a child this old, I think it is embarrassing, humiliating and damaging to the child. Normal breast feeding is fine but there is a "normal" cutoff. Talk about extreme! You can try and justify it all you want but it is pathetic!
  • susan AudioHi... 2012/05/14 21:36:00
    susan
    Not against her breast feeding him at 4 or 10. Just against her doing it in public and exploiting him.
  • Laura 2012/05/13 02:12:00
    Laura
    Here is my take on the TIMES breastfeeding cover add. I hope that if you choose to read it, you will be open minded to my opinion. :-)

    http://www.sodahead.com/unite...
  • BB 2012/05/13 01:14:32
    BB
    +2
    Lighten up. It's a little awkward but that photo did what it is supposed to do get people talking and sell magazines. If you don't like Time magazine don buy it.
  • Liv 2012/05/13 01:11:40
    Liv
    +2
    waaaaay too far
  • arnaud Liv 2012/05/14 14:53:09
    arnaud
    +1
    I agree but the picture with George breastdfeeding is more disturbing..
  • RAWR 2012/05/13 01:01:30
    RAWR
    +3
    poor kid
  • Your friendly neighborhood ... 2012/05/13 00:59:37
    Your friendly neighborhood stalker
    +1
    Yeah, that kid looks older than three.
  • gina maria 2012/05/13 00:11:26
    gina maria
    +2
    THIS PICTURE, MAKES BREAST FEEDING LOOKING NASTY! INSTEAD OF JUST PAINFUL!
  • Goth 2012/05/13 00:03:20
    Goth
    +1
    Lol. I knew this going to sodahead, but I like the top comment better. LMAO.
  • **StarzAbove** 2012/05/12 23:49:54
    **StarzAbove**
    +2
    That lady is sick, looks like she's getting more out of it than the kid. That's perverted.
  • 2585661 **Starz... 2012/05/13 09:52:42
    2585661
    +1
    You're perverted for looking at it that way.
  • AM 2012/05/12 23:45:29
    AM
    +3
    When your child can pass you a note stating he wants it. How does one deny they've taken it to far?Not surprising *80% of married "mind it a lot".
  • **Starz... AM 2012/05/13 13:15:53
  • raj **Starz... 2012/05/14 14:43:57
    raj
    +3
    HI; Yea i thank you for mothers day, sach abeautifull (woman)......mmmmmmmmmmmm....
  • Firefly 2012/05/12 23:28:44
    Firefly
    +4
    Yeup...

    TOO FAR,

    by the magazine,

    AND the 'mother' on it ~

    What the hell are they thinking ?
  • Ozymandias 2012/05/12 21:45:09
    Ozymandias
    +3
    I don't see what the problem is...
  • Realistic 2012/05/12 21:42:12
    Realistic
    +1
    Sick! Sick! Sick! This woman may get some sexual satisfaction from nursing her 4 year old son. What impact will this image, that is forever in our mental and printed Archives have on this child in the long term?
  • arnaud Realistic 2012/05/14 14:54:00
    arnaud
    I wish i was the kid:
    !! :D
  • TheBorg 2012/05/12 18:40:51 (edited)
  • Bob, th... TheBorg 2012/05/13 03:36:16
    Bob, the reasonable one
    +1
    excellent post!!
  • Lone Wolf TheBorg 2012/05/14 23:28:34
    Lone Wolf
    +1
    Wow on the Rant post. Nice.
  • John Payzant 2012/05/12 18:31:44
    John Payzant
    +2
    That's gone too far

    This sort of thing is not a good example of photography

    I think it degrades both persons in the picture

    They look shameless as if they are trendy as if they are part of an in group

    I think that this is delusionary
  • Gahnzo 2012/05/12 18:29:25
    Gahnzo
    Itr got people talking about "TIME Magazine", and since it's not been much in the limelight nor has it been the hard hitting news "must" read for a long time, I guess this is one way to stimulate circulation, but I'm sure that it won't do anything in the long run to improve readership..
  • jules 2012/05/12 18:14:09
    jules
    +1
    Just look at the "Smirk" on that lady's face!!!!!!!!!! Does she care?????????
  • Butch 2012/05/12 17:52:42
    Butch
    +1
    If the child is older than 24 mo. the action is for the mother not the child.
  • Wulfdane 2012/05/12 17:48:28 (edited)
    Wulfdane
    +2
    It was unecessary to be so graphic, clearly Time Mag felt controversy sells. Time is endorsing a form of child abuse.
  • pops 2012/05/12 17:03:25
    pops
    +2
    The kid is way too old,Just like Time Magazine.
  • Rubyking 2012/05/12 16:50:21
    Rubyking
    +2
    yup, what a stupid picture
  • Malachi 2012/05/12 16:43:26
    Malachi
    +1
    This is disgusting, it's about her, not the child,she's got deep seated issues, a normal woman would stop at about a year or two, after that if you're still nursing and going out in public,pump the milk,put it in a bottle,if the baby is under one and you have to do it in public cover up!!!! cover up.whenever out in public..!!!

Living

2013/05/21 13:35:41

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