I'm just going to dive into the topic of female breasts today, okay? On
CBC Radio 1's The Current this morning, Florence Williams talked to host Gillian Findlay about her new book
Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History. Williams was talking about how the topic of breasts is not often discussed. I was like, "Right on for writing a book about boobs!" In the past, even seeing a mother breast feeding in public made me uncomfortable, like I was witnessing something a little too intimate, you know? But like other body parts we're quick to cover up, isn't it about time breasts and genitals stop being taboo subjects?
It's summer now. Ladies are wearing less layers, more bathing suit tops, and baring more cleavage. I know that I personally stop wearing a bra once the heat sets in. Men love them, they can be comforting and sexy, and above all else, a source of nutrition. However, there has also been an ongoing campaign to prioritize large breasts over small ones, resulting in cosmetic procedures, distorted body image issues, and the hyper-sexualization of women in the media. So why isn't there a serious discourse about breasts?
Although their function is primarily for nursing babies post-birth, many anthropologists believe that breasts exist for men, to convey information to a potential mate about one's fertility status, youth, or health. However, many dispute this because it hasn't been proven that the man/breast love affair is universal!
Williams' book focuses more on the health issues surrounding breasts, the toxins that can be passed through breast milk, and the easy absorption of environmental pollutants by the delicate fat in the breast, causing breast cancer and other complications.
Large, small, uneven, or disproportionate, I think we should all embrace our breasts. It's easy to consume the media's perception of what is attractive or not, but our breasts are "evolutionary masterpieces," and should be treated with care.
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