AALS Discussion Group

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Session Type: AALS Discussion Groups

Session Capacity: N/A

Hotel: Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

Room: Roosevelt 5

Floor: Exhibition Level

Despite the ubiquity of the phrase “breast is best,” the law has fallen short of providing breastfeeding parents the support they require to meet their breastfeeding goals. Many breastfeeders have experienced discrimination, harassment, and roadblocks to their breastfeeding plans. Further, the wide differences in breastfeeding rates across race, class, and education level are powerful indicators that there is not equal access to breastfeeding support. This discussion group seeks to explore the varied and overlapping legal and policy issues presented by breastfeeding. Is breastfeeding a public health issue? Is it a civil rights issue? Are the messages and methods used to encourage breastfeeding feminist or anti-feminist? Do they encourage parents regardless of gender to breastfeed or chestfeed? Further, how is the discussion about breastfeeding law and policy reflective of the larger debates about women’s roles and the changing American family?