That woman is not too bright, sorry to say. She has no credentials, her sources are limited and biased, and she is obviously just trying to reason away her own guilt for not breastfeeding …
No, that lactivist is not talking about me. She’s talking about Charlotte Faircloth, another professional who pointed out that the benefits of breastfeeding are far smaller than what advocates claim. Faircloth discusses this response in her paper ‘What Science Says is Best’: Parenting Practices, Scientific Authority and Maternal Identity.
Faircloth explains the meaning of “the science” to lactivists and the paradoxical invocation of scientific evidence by women who are just as likely to ignore science when they feel like it.
Simply put, lactivists don’t read scientific papers, don’t know what they show and don’t care anyway. “The science” is simply a convenient cudgel which lactivists use to metaphorically hammer away at women who do not follow their example:
The scientific benefits of breastfeeding and attachment parenting serve as a (seemingly) morally neutral cannon about which mothers can defend their mothering choices and ‘spread the word’ about appropriate parenting. I noticed that for some particular women, sharing ‘information’ with other mothers … was a source of great enjoyment – as Felicity in the quote above puts it, she is ‘super empowered’ with the knowledge that she has. Amelia, cited above, also said that she felt ‘like a genius on a planet of idiots.’ Any criticisms she has of other women are de-personalised, because science ‘has no emotional content…’
“A mother describes how she responds to those who criticise her decision to breastfeed her son until his seventh birthday, by saying: ‘I mean, do you want to see studies? Because I can show you studies!’ There are laughs and cheers from the rest of the group.”
But lactivists, who have basically no idea what the actual scientific evidence shows, use “the science” in another way:
Arguably, ‘science’ here is not about understanding, but belief. The use of ‘evidence’ has reached the level of the quasi-religious; not in the sense that the beliefs are other-worldly (quite the opposite) but that they are held to be beyond the possibility of doubt and revered as truth.
In other words, belief is described as “science” in order to trade on the reputation of science. As Faircloth notes:
In many ways, however, it is ironic that my informants refer to science, since many attachment parenting advocates are openly sceptical about scientific knowledge… What is interesting then, is the selective use (and mis-use) of scientific evidence to support certain (moral) discourses about parenting. (my emphasis)
Appeals to “the science” are a rhetorical strategy, and a rather cynical one at that. The very same people who ignore the scientific evidence on the dangers of homebirth, who openly spurn the World Health Organization recommendations on vaccination, and who dismiss the scientific evidence on circumcision by insisting it is only relevant in the developing world choose to misinterpret and misuse the scientific evidence on the limited benefits of breastfeeding.
This cynical misuse of science finds ultimate expression in public health campaigns to promote breastfeeding. That’s why these campaigns continue even though they have been failure on their own terms. The activists who create them, run them and promote them are far more interested in promoting their personal beliefs than in increasing breastfeeding rates.
In Faircloth’s words “sharing ‘information’ with other mothers … was a source of great enjoyment.” That’s because lactivists are not “sharing,” they are browbeating other women as a method of enhancing their own self esteem. As Faircloth notes:
When ‘science’ says something is healthiest for infants, it has the effect, for [lactivists], of shutting down debate; that is, it dictates what parents should do.
Critically, for lactivists, it allows them to “moralize” the choice of infant feeding. In the minds of lactivists, “the science” turns breastfeeding from a choice to an obligation, the classic is-ought confusion.
… [U]nder the assumption that science contains ‘no emotional content’, a wealth of agencies with an interest in parenting – from policy makers and ‘experts’ to groups of parents themselves – now have a language by which to make what might better be termed moral judgements about appropriate childcare practices. [But] ‘Science’ is not a straightforward rationale in the regulation of behaviour, rather, it is one that requires rigorous sociological questioning and debate in delimiting the parameters of this ‘is’ and the ‘ought’.
Hence the example with which the piece began, the vituperation directed at Faircloth for pointing out that the scientific evidence on breastfeeding is rather weak, and, at best, shows only a small, limited benefit. Lactivists responded with anger because their own self conception and their ability to feel superior to other women rests on presenting “the science” as firm, strong, unequivocal and dispositive. In the case of breastfeeding, it is none of the above.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
virtual card provider
…
cryptocurrency virtual card
[…]The information and facts talked about in the write-up are a number of the most effective offered […]
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Budget
[…]please visit the sites we stick to, which includes this one, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
Buy Holy Grail Kush
[…]Every after inside a when we choose blogs that we study. Listed below would be the most current internet sites that we select […]
Buy Vyvanse Online UK
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to simply because we believe they are worth visiting[…]
Rent a car Bar, Montenegro
[…]here are some hyperlinks to websites that we link to because we assume they’re really worth visiting[…]
best testosterone booster
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web pages that we link to since we assume they’re worth visiting[…]
buy counterfeit money from korea
…
happyLuke
[…]here are some links to web pages that we link to since we assume they are really worth visiting[…]
MUT
[…]The details mentioned in the report are a number of the ideal obtainable […]
canadian pharmacy service
…
Apple Jack Strain
[…]Here are some of the websites we suggest for our visitors[…]
Tudor Black Bay 58
…
springfield saint upper
[…]Every the moment inside a while we opt for blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most up-to-date websites that we pick […]
BUY DMT ONLINE
[…]we came across a cool web-site that you just may love. Take a look in case you want[…]
male sex toy
[…]very couple of web sites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
best male stokers
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
kabilemi sikin benim
…
raw garden extract cartridges
[…]very few websites that occur to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
savage grow plus scam
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine some unrelated information, nonetheless genuinely worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular find out about Mid East has got much more problerms as well […]
Uganda Safari Holidays
[…]we came across a cool web page that you may well appreciate. Take a look should you want[…]
Kenya safari family holidays
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they may be actually really worth a go by, so possess a look[…]
samidoh
[…]below you will find the link to some web pages that we believe you must visit[…]
bitcoin
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated data, nevertheless actually really worth taking a appear, whoa did a single learn about Mid East has got additional problerms too […]
dizziness
…
Skinners’ Academy
[…]always a major fan of linking to bloggers that I appreciate but really don’t get a good deal of link appreciate from[…]
RissMiner
[…]Here are several of the internet sites we advocate for our visitors[…]
order pills online discreet
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
G17 GEN5 MOS FS STANDARD | 9X19MM
…
SAVAGE MSR 10
[…]we came across a cool web-site that you simply could love. Take a appear when you want[…]
digital marketing agency
[…]we came across a cool site that you simply may enjoy. Take a search when you want[…]
buy hex dumbbells
[…]The information talked about inside the report are some of the most beneficial readily available […]
Capuchin Monkey For Sale Near Me
…
Uganda Safari Murchison falls national park
…
graphics card for sale in europe
[…]Here are a few of the web sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
runtz weed
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to mainly because we assume they may be worth visiting[…]
boho coffee table set
[…]The details mentioned within the article are a number of the most beneficial out there […]
Thc vape juice
[…]the time to read or visit the material or internet sites we have linked to beneath the[…]
smith and wesson ez 9mm for sale
[…]here are some hyperlinks to web pages that we link to since we consider they are worth visiting[…]
beretta semi auto shotgun
[…]always a large fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get a great deal of link enjoy from[…]
supreme carts
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to for the reason that we think they may be worth visiting[…]
dank carts strawberry shortcake
[…]very few internet sites that transpire to be comprehensive below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]
magic mushrooms
…
buy nembutal online
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
mossberg 590 nightstick for sale
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
munsters slot machine for sale
[…]The information and facts mentioned in the article are several of the best obtainable […]
aa12 shotgun for sale
[…]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated internet websites to ours, nonetheless, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
p320 m17
…
savage 110 ba 308 for sale
[…]please take a look at the web pages we adhere to, such as this one, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
WEED PUFF BAR
[…]below you will discover the link to some websites that we believe you ought to visit[…]
Buy Viagra gold online
[…]here are some links to internet sites that we link to due to the fact we think they’re worth visiting[…]
Buy Morphine pills online
[…]very couple of websites that occur to become in depth beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well worth checking out[…]
lowes benefits
[…]one of our guests a short while ago suggested the following website[…]
web development
Development of websites, mobile applications, portals and online stores
aromatherapy
[…]although internet sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not connected to ours, we feel they are in fact worth a go via, so possess a look[…]
Serengeti safari tour
[…]very couple of web-sites that happen to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
shipping containers for sale
[…]the time to study or visit the subject material or web pages we have linked to below the[…]
FARMING EQUIPMENT LIST
…
best male sex toys
[…]although web sites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they may be basically really worth a go by, so have a look[…]
african safari adventures contact details
[…]one of our guests recently recommended the following website[…]
Amboseli national park
[…]please check out the websites we comply with, such as this 1, as it represents our picks from the web[…]
Livestock for sale
…
Mac akku ersetzen bubikon
…
GOLF CARTS FOR SALE
[…]Here are some of the web sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
Buy Sig Sauer Handguns
[…]here are some hyperlinks to websites that we link to since we assume they are worth visiting[…]
MacBook Repair Bridgwater
[…]Here are some of the websites we advocate for our visitors[…]
Agence communication
[…]Here are a few of the web pages we suggest for our visitors[…]
Stiiizy Pods for Sale
[…]we came across a cool website which you could possibly take pleasure in. Take a look when you want[…]
apps apk free download for windows 8
[…]Here is a good Weblog You might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
games for pc download
[…]one of our visitors lately recommended the following website[…]
free download for windows pc
…
free apps for pc download
[…]we came across a cool web-site which you could love. Take a search for those who want[…]
بديل تروكولر
[…]The facts mentioned in the write-up are several of the top available […]
aranżacja wnętrz Gdynia
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]
clit vibrator
…
best male masturbator
[…]very few web sites that transpire to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]
canadian pharmacies
[…]just beneath, are quite a few entirely not associated internet sites to ours, nevertheless, they’re surely worth going over[…]
dachshund puppies for sale near me
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated data, nonetheless genuinely really worth taking a appear, whoa did one particular study about Mid East has got far more problerms as well […]
vapona
[…]please pay a visit to the internet sites we follow, like this one, because it represents our picks in the web[…]
피망머니상
[…]usually posts some incredibly exciting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
sabuj abujh shishu angan
[…]Every after inside a though we pick out blogs that we read. Listed below would be the most up-to-date internet sites that we select […]
best in ottawa
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated data, nevertheless seriously worth taking a appear, whoa did 1 discover about Mid East has got additional problerms at the same time […]
most realistic male masturbator
[…]very handful of websites that transpire to be comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
sex toy review
[…]please go to the websites we stick to, which includes this a single, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
rechargeable penis ring
[…]always a major fan of linking to bloggers that I like but really don’t get quite a bit of link like from[…]
pussy masturbation
[…]we came across a cool site that you just might get pleasure from. Take a appear if you want[…]
interesting sex facts
…
download twitter video online
[…]we came across a cool web-site that you simply may enjoy. Take a search in the event you want[…]
jogar online
[…]we came across a cool web site that you just might appreciate. Take a search if you want[…]
film streaming
[…]usually posts some extremely fascinating stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
streaming gratuit
[…]always a massive fan of linking to bloggers that I appreciate but do not get a lot of link love from[…]
vehicle movements
[…]please take a look at the web pages we stick to, such as this a single, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
streamcomplet
[…]Here are some of the web-sites we advise for our visitors[…]
Buy Weed Online
[…]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[…]
فیلم سکسی کوتاه
[…]Here are a number of the web-sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
how to use the most realistic dildo
…
most realistic dildos
…
male sex toys
[…]please stop by the web-sites we follow, which includes this 1, because it represents our picks in the web[…]
prostate toy
[…]please take a look at the web sites we stick to, including this one, because it represents our picks from the web[…]
huay
…
lottovip สมัคร
[…]please visit the web-sites we follow, which includes this 1, as it represents our picks from the web[…]
ground leases
[…]although sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they’re in fact really worth a go by, so have a look[…]
MILF Porn
[…]here are some hyperlinks to internet sites that we link to for the reason that we think they’re worth visiting[…]
lottovip
[…]just beneath, are numerous entirely not related websites to ours, nevertheless, they’re certainly really worth going over[…]
adam and eve vibrators
[…]The info mentioned in the report are a few of the most beneficial accessible […]
oxygen concentrator Lebanon
[…]Here are a few of the websites we advocate for our visitors[…]
pocket masturbator
[…]the time to study or go to the subject material or websites we have linked to beneath the[…]
best vibrator
…
best vibrating panties
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they’re essentially really worth a go by way of, so possess a look[…]
thrusting p spot massager
[…]usually posts some really intriguing stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
fun88
[…]Here is a great Blog You might Obtain Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
buy weed in South Carolina
[…]The facts mentioned within the report are a few of the most effective accessible […]
Asian Restaurant
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nonetheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one particular discover about Mid East has got extra problerms also […]
vibrating prostate massager
[…]we came across a cool web-site that you just could take pleasure in. Take a look when you want[…]
vibrating prostate massager
[…]check beneath, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, even so, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]
canadianpharmacyking.com
[…]one of our guests recently advised the following website[…]
thrusting vibe
[…]here are some hyperlinks to websites that we link to simply because we believe they may be really worth visiting[…]
Microdose Capsules
[…]very handful of websites that transpire to be detailed beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[…]
pleasure balls
…
maltepe escort
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we really feel they’re truly really worth a go through, so possess a look[…]
happyluke
[…]although internet sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go as a result of, so possess a look[…]
avcılar escort
…
best way to clean rubber sex toys
[…]please take a look at the internet sites we comply with, which includes this 1, as it represents our picks through the web[…]
realistic masturbators
[…]Here is an excellent Weblog You may Discover Interesting that we Encourage You[…]
buy sex toys
[…]Every as soon as in a though we select blogs that we study. Listed beneath are the most current web sites that we choose […]
happyluke
[…]Here are some of the web sites we recommend for our visitors[…]
news
…
Crack For Sale
[…]here are some links to web pages that we link to due to the fact we think they may be worth visiting[…]
pharmacy in canada pharmacy in canada
[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine some unrelated data, nonetheless definitely really worth taking a appear, whoa did 1 study about Mid East has got additional problerms as well […]
adult erotic stories
…
penis vacuum pumps
…
dick extender
[…]very couple of internet sites that take place to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]
butterfly toy for women
[…]although internet websites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we feel they are basically really worth a go through, so possess a look[…]
PREVENTING HEART FAILURE
[…]very handful of internet sites that happen to become in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly really worth checking out[…]
Google
Here are several of the internet sites we suggest for our visitors.
Buy Ruger Firearms Online
…
kush buy online
…
معرفة هوية المتصل
[…]please take a look at the web sites we adhere to, such as this one, because it represents our picks through the web[…]
buy juul online
[…]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
BUY HBCUC
…
Google
…
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here on that Topic: skepticalob.com/2011/03/lactivists-and-science.html […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More to that Topic: skepticalob.com/2011/03/lactivists-and-science.html […]
doudoune femme moncler
abercrombie paris doudoune canada goose femme moncler sale canada goose jacket mens moncler jackets canada goose jacket ugg outlet ugg pas cher doudoune canada goose Moncler Vests Women Abercrombie Pull Canada Goose Trillium Parka Gonne e abiti Abercro…
安全ãªé›»åŠ›å¹³æº–化ã¨é‡‘
ã‚ãªãŸãŒã—ã¦ã„ã‚‹ è¡Œã£ã¦A ç´ æ™´ã‚‰ã—ã„仕事
Moncler Coats Men
pull hollister canada goose pas cher moncler men canada goose uk moncler sale uggs sale cheap uggs louis vuitton soldes canada goose femme Canada Goose Glove Hollister Accessories Canada Goose Montebello Parka UGG Ultra Tall Boots 5245 Canada Goose Ken…
Moncler Coats Women
magasin hollister doudoune canada goose femme moncler outlet uk ugg boots sale moncler outlet uk canada goose outlet moncler men ugg soldes moncler doudoune Canada Goose Kensington Parka Abercrombie Débardeur Canada Goose Yorkville Parka UGG Mayfaire B…
moncler outlet
hollister doudoune canada goose pas cher mens moncler jackets canada goose sale moncler sale uggs uk moncler sale ugg soldes doudoune femme moncler Canada Goose Glove Hollister Boxers Canada Goose Montebello Parka Infants UGG Boots Canada Goose Montebe…
Canada Goose Glove
hollister pas cher doudoune canada goose femme moncler sale canada goose uk moncler outlet uk canada goose outlet cheap uggs louis vuitton soldes canada goose homme Moncler Vests Men Hollister Pantalons Canada Goose Chilliwack Bomber UGG Roseberry Sued…
moncler sale
hollister canada goose pas cher mens moncler jackets canada goose coat mens moncler jackets ugg boots sale cheap ugg boots uk sac louis vuitton doudoune moncler femme Women Canada Goose Livigno Parka Hollister Doudoune sans manches Canada Goose Freesty…
nike air max pas cher
The iPhone weren’t getting a considerable photographic camera as well as its the cpu is leaner as opposed to different touch screen phones, however it turned out a success! The things that make you imagine iPad’s likely to reduce? . -= sebin’s very…
desire. how well your material flows and
the structural effectiveness help determine your grade too. the following writing suggestions may be just what you need to take your writing to the next level, so that you can create an essay that is easier to read and may result
hollister pas cher
abercrombie parka canada goose mens moncler jackets ugg uk mens moncler jackets canada goose coat moncler outlet louis vuitton sac moncler pas cher Canada Goose Trillium Parka Hollister Accessories Canada Goose Kensington Parka UGG Ultimate Tall Boots…
air max classic femme…
Lactivists and “the science” | The Skeptical OB…
lv site officiel…
Bien chanter ne spectacle 锚tre le point fort de Chanel, le exp茅rience {茅tait pr茅cieux|b茅n茅fique|utiles|important|utile锝?pr茅cieux en ce qu’il introduit lanc茅 son Etienne Balsan, un riche riche playboy et textile fran莽ais h茅ritier qui a pris go没t 脿 la v…
Title…
[…]usually posts some extremely fascinating stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[…]…
Informative and precise…
Its difficult to find informative and accurate information but here I noted…
Title…
[…]the time to study or go to the subject material or internet sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]…
Title…
[…]although internet sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they are essentially worth a go by means of, so possess a look[…]…
Title…
[…]Here are a number of the web-sites we advise for our visitors[…]…
Title…
[…]here are some links to web-sites that we link to due to the fact we feel they are worth visiting[…]…