PUBLIC OPINION > Time's Breastfeeding Cover Went Too Far

by SodaHead Living Posted 2012/05/11 13:00:00

Related Topics: Time Magazine Cover, Time, Breastfeeding, Public Opinion, Recap, Religion, Relationship, Single, Google, Christian, Bank, Trend, Opinion, Vote, Atheists

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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.

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!

+16

Moonage 2012/05/12 00:01:11 (edited)

+24
Actually, this is probably too far too:

But I like it even more.
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jacob crim to LucidLoon 2012/05/12 17:59:38

+2
The lady posted a picture on facebook of the REAL picture used on front of Time. Time of course glammed it up to make the child look older for sales.

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Laura to jacob crim 2012/05/12 22:21:36

+1
I don't find it strange that he is breastfeeding (many children brestfeed until 3 or even older....our society just tries to hide it)....but I do find it strange that he is standing on a chair. I personally never nursed my child like that, and I dont think it looks comfortable. lol

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CREW grand 2012/05/12 10:53:47

+5
I support public breastfeeding.
I've even donated money to organizations that support public breastfeeding.
But now, thanks to freaks like this, it's unlikely to ever be viewed positively again.
When people think of breastfeeding, this disturbing image will be the first thing that comes to mind, and if anything, they'll want it banned altogether.
She isn't holding him like a loving mother holds a son.
She's holding him like a lady who's getting off on having her breast sucked by a guy.

Don

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Laura to CREW grand 2012/05/12 22:23:54

+1
Agreed, but in all fairness to her, thats the photographers fault. She was trying to spread knowledge of extended breastfeeding and I doubt she realized this was the picture they were putting on the cover....the photographer probably made her pose like that and she didnt have much of a choice.

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sandra 2012/05/12 10:28:50

I knew some Mothers who allowed their kids to nurse until alot older than this child.
They said it has something to do with still seeing their kids as their (babie`s) ....hard to see them growing up...hard to let go of the Mother/ Baby role , that they love so much...

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Laura to sandra 2012/05/12 22:25:44

+2
For most mothers I have known, it has nothing to do with them. It has to do with allowing the child to self wean, which is a naturally slow process and is often not complete until 3 or older. In self weaning, you follow the childs cues and while you can encourage skipped feeding to speed up the process, you do not just stop. In many cultures, it is the norm

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sandra to Laura 2012/05/12 22:31:40

+1
Yes very true. It`s the same like trying to wean them off the bottle if bottle fed, but it must be even harder to wean from the breast since the milk is so much better no question.

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YOMOMMA 2012/05/12 07:19:00

I bet it sold copies, is bizarre. I never saw anybody I knew still sucking their momma's titties at age 3.... never saw anybody nurse a baby.My mom fed us formula. The glass bottles sterilized... I guess its ok. This is why I don't have kids.

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Laura to YOMOMMA 2012/05/13 02:00:56

+1
Most people in our society don't advertise that they are still breastfeeding their 3-year-old....but trust me...it happens and their is nothing wrong with it IMO.

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YOMOMMA to Laura 2012/05/15 10:28:11

I guess its is a cultural thing. it must be hard on the mother. if that is what she wants to do then it is ok. Others just are not used to seeing it and that is why they are appalled.

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Laura to YOMOMMA 2012/05/15 23:29:06

+1
Agreed, and I also think that this specific photo is shocking to many. This is not how a mother nurses her child (whether 3 weeks or 3 years) and therefore this is not how it should have been portrayed.

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YOMOMMA to Laura 2012/05/16 18:54:57

You know Time did the pose to shock people int buying the rag.

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mrdog 2012/05/12 07:05:54

As Christian, I vote okay...no problem...as i said before a kid needs to be fed...

why not? bark

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pops to mrdog 2012/05/12 17:13:49

Some of Obama's family barks.

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mrdog to pops 2012/05/12 19:30:00

Growl

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YOMOMMA to pops 2012/05/15 10:29:02

Has nothing to do with Obama and you are running your opinion in the ground.

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Laura to mrdog 2012/05/12 22:28:20

+2
Thats makes no sense. He is fed. Probably gets three full meals and a couple of snacks a day....His mother is just allowing him to self wean, which is often considered a very natural and healthy way to wean

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mrdog to Laura 2012/05/13 08:48:04

mom and child make the decision not me.... bark

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Laura to mrdog 2012/05/13 15:31:48

+1
Sorry- lol I think I misread your statement. lol :-)

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mrdog to Laura 2012/05/13 17:23:34

It is very very nice to accept your comment... thank you ...really...howling with
pleasure...

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Laura to mrdog 2012/05/13 18:03:24

I am glad that I made you howl! You and my beagle would have a ball together!!! ;-)

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mrdog to Laura 2012/05/14 08:15:26

True...rabbitt chase is on....bark

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LisaSmith 2012/05/12 06:10:38 (edited)

It just really looks weird. The kid looks older then 4, he looks about the same size as my 9 year old. I think the kid is going to have some weird mommy issues.

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Laura to LisaSmith 2012/05/13 02:04:47

Doubt it- granted having this photo his whole like on the cover of his magazine might change things, but I have know children (both male and female) who were breastfed until 3 or 4 (including myself and my siblings) who grew into independent, successful adults with fewer issues than most people I know. Allowing a child to self wean (instead of just forcing them to wean) allows them a sense of security and control and allows them to become more independent and self sufficient. World-wide, many cultures allow their children to self wean and the average age of weaning is between 3 and 5. It is really a very natural thing.

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C-ZAR™, Emperor of the PHÆT 2012/05/12 06:09:56

+4
I don't know what to say here, breastfeeding IS a natural function, I just think America is afraid of BOOBS! lol

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P. Sturm 2012/05/12 05:49:52

Nope. They didn't.

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janet 2012/05/12 05:47:52

+3
No they did not.

It is a breast and a child feeding from it, the way God created all women to do : )

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Dark Angel AKA Hippiegirl 2012/05/12 05:32:53

+2
It's perfectly natural

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pops to Dark An... 2012/05/12 17:15:40

Maybe for you.Not for a four year old.

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Laura to pops 2012/05/13 02:07:10

World-wide, many children are not fully weaned by 3 or 4 years old. The process of self weaning is a slow process. It begins the moment a mother adds solid foods into a child's diet (usually around 6 months) but does not typically end (if the child is allowed to self wean and not forced to wean) until somewhere between 3 and 5.

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Mamaknows 2012/05/12 05:24:21

+1
I am ALL for BF but that seems a bit off....think about what that boy is going to go through when school starts? That seems wrong for him..know what I mean?

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jackie 2012/05/12 04:46:21

+2
What the men said was straight up nasty.

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Dana 2012/05/12 04:40:02

+3
Sorry, but that just makes me cringe. I have no problem w/ nursing and even in public, just be polite and be somewhat discreet, so as not to offend someone else. When the baby is hungry, they need to be fed, period and that is life.

But... nursing a walking talking 4 y/o child? Egads.... that is disgusting and for Time to put this on their cover, one has to wonder if they were just planning on going out of business very soon. I for one, will never buy their magazine again..

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bettyboop to Dana 2012/05/12 14:20:55

+1
They would never put a man and a 4 y/o girl in a similar pose. The child is too old to be nursing.

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Dana to bettyboop 2012/05/12 16:55:31

+1
It makes me ill to see the pic. Lots wrong there in my opinion. I nursed my babies till they had teeth and knew how to use them... about 7-8 months. The teeth were a deal breaker.

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bettyboop to Dana 2012/05/17 02:08:40

+1
I agree, with you.

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Laura to Dana 2012/05/13 02:10:55

Why is it so disgusting? This truly baffles me........ many children are still nursing at 3 or 4. They eat mostly solid food as they are nearing the end of the weaning process but it is not unusual to see a child who is allowed to self wean, nursing still. It is usually much less than as an infant and most people I have known who were allowed to self wean, were down to one feeding a day by 3 or 4. Now, I personally think this picture is stupid....that is NOT how a mother nurses her child. However, I think the actual process of allowing a child to self-wean is great.

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Dana to Laura 2012/05/13 02:58:33

With my horses, I have always let them wean their own babies. They decide and most mares will wean their baby around one year of age.

But, with people, and with our culture as it is, I do not think anyone is doing any favors for their child if they are allowing them to nurse when they are walking and talking. Sure it is a hang up, so to speak... but really, having a child pre school age still wanting the tit is just plain ridiculous. And, it is setting the child up for ridicule too.

Yes it is a culture thing... but in the USA this plain is just not acceptable. I don't think MOST cultures would appreciate this practice, there is a time and a place for everything and the kid wanting mommies milk at that age is just plain nuts.They do not need it and I wonder is this more for the mommy than the child?

Call me a prude, I really do not give a rats ass, I am just not buying into this garbage.

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Laura to Dana 2012/05/13 03:22:41 (edited)

Why would I call you prude? I am not one to name call over a difference of opinion. :-)

I would like to say, that there are many woman in the U.S. as well as other cultures who do breastfeed until 3 or older. When you think about it, The WHO recommends a minimum of two years, longer if the mother and child both wants...and that is purely on the health benefits. I do encourage you to read my little blog on here in regards to this subject. I completely understand if you still don't agree with me (I don't expect to change minds...) but I do hope that if you choose to read it, you will approach it with an open mind. If you have time to read it, consider read the links I have added. Even if you don't agree, it may give you and insight on why people (like me) feel that extended breastfeeding is natural and healthy...and it's always good to try and see where others are coming from. :-)

http://www.sodahead.com/unite...

On another note, I just wanted to say that the woman who practice extended breastfeeding are typically not doing it for their own pleasure, they are doing it because they feel it is healthiest for their child. :-) It is not more sexual to feed a 3 year old than it is a 3 week old and I think most woman would agree that they do not get sexuallly aroused from breas...

Why would I call you prude? I am not one to name call over a difference of opinion. :-)

I would like to say, that there are many woman in the U.S. as well as other cultures who do breastfeed until 3 or older. When you think about it, The WHO recommends a minimum of two years, longer if the mother and child both wants...and that is purely on the health benefits. I do encourage you to read my little blog on here in regards to this subject. I completely understand if you still don't agree with me (I don't expect to change minds...) but I do hope that if you choose to read it, you will approach it with an open mind. If you have time to read it, consider read the links I have added. Even if you don't agree, it may give you and insight on why people (like me) feel that extended breastfeeding is natural and healthy...and it's always good to try and see where others are coming from. :-)

http://www.sodahead.com/unite...

On another note, I just wanted to say that the woman who practice extended breastfeeding are typically not doing it for their own pleasure, they are doing it because they feel it is healthiest for their child. :-) It is not more sexual to feed a 3 year old than it is a 3 week old and I think most woman would agree that they do not get sexuallly aroused from breastfeeding...I know I don't. :-)

I would also like to say that I too have a horse and I think it is amazing you get to breed. That is something I have always wanted to experience. :-)
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Dana to Laura 2012/05/13 04:39:58

+1
I'm sorry i was so sharp.... must be PMS, please accept my humble apologies. I was not thinking it was sexual in nature for the mom, but more a dependency from the Mom onto the child, instead of the other way around. When I had troubles initially w/ breastfeeding, the woman who was sent to coach me, brought her own child along with her. This child was 4 or 5 and she picked up Mom's shirt and started nursing right there to demonstrate. I am sorry, but OMG, it bothered me greatly. Just plain too much there. And no, not thinking "sexual" at all, just thinking that Mom was encouraging this and I could not understand why? I

I did not know that WHO encouraged this. I have to admit, I just plain did not like nursing, felt guilty about it, but did it because I thought it was best for the baby, but it was so painful for me, I could not wait till they were old enough to stop. If there had not been so much pressure to do this, I honestly would not have. I know breast milk is healthier for the baby, and that was the clincher of why I did.

Horses :) My favorite things! No, I have not bred in many many years.,... used to though, but when the economy for horses started crashing I stopped breeding. Did not want to add even one more horse to a market that is so flooded that the kill buyers are ...

I'm sorry i was so sharp.... must be PMS, please accept my humble apologies. I was not thinking it was sexual in nature for the mom, but more a dependency from the Mom onto the child, instead of the other way around. When I had troubles initially w/ breastfeeding, the woman who was sent to coach me, brought her own child along with her. This child was 4 or 5 and she picked up Mom's shirt and started nursing right there to demonstrate. I am sorry, but OMG, it bothered me greatly. Just plain too much there. And no, not thinking "sexual" at all, just thinking that Mom was encouraging this and I could not understand why? I

I did not know that WHO encouraged this. I have to admit, I just plain did not like nursing, felt guilty about it, but did it because I thought it was best for the baby, but it was so painful for me, I could not wait till they were old enough to stop. If there had not been so much pressure to do this, I honestly would not have. I know breast milk is healthier for the baby, and that was the clincher of why I did.

Horses :) My favorite things! No, I have not bred in many many years.,... used to though, but when the economy for horses started crashing I stopped breeding. Did not want to add even one more horse to a market that is so flooded that the kill buyers are having a hay day. And the horse is the one suffering because of it. I have had some foals born since, but they came from mares I rescued from slaughter who were already pregnant. :) This is the last stallion of my very own breeding and I sold him before this video was done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?...
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