[CarmenSanches]

When I read the last Time Magazine Cover story...

See below for link to full cover image:
http://www.time.com/time/pr/magcovers/050912.jpg

... I really began to wonder... about where our society can be heading with this.

Firstly, to me the cover is certainly more CP than naked photos that 14 year olds text EACH OTHER.
Secondly, this has to be one of the worst things you can do to your child - from now on, this will be the kid that was sucking his mother's teet at the age of 4. The internet will never ever ever forget this... and neither will her son, who will surely be disappointed to find out that because of what his mom did, hers will be the last nipple in his mouth.
Thirdly, I'm not the biggest fan of Freud, but this is sooo sexual. Really, mom, if you like the sensation, this is what your husband is for... or your boyfriend... or your girlfriend for that matter... but not your 4-year-old.

[hexniks]

Maybe we'll just start with the facts, and move on from there.

The child is three years old, not 4. Additionally, the WHO (whatever you make think of them) recommends breast feeding for 2 years... not six months or 9 months, which is more typical for Americans.

Katherine Dettwyler, a professor of anthropology at the University of Delaware in Newark, has published studies on breast-feeding, found that most children around the world are breast-fed for three to five years or longer - and furthermore, American children who had been breastfed for longer than 2 years, were well-adjusted and their mother's tended to be upper-middle class and highly educated (Source). I guess in many areas of the world, what the inTerWebZ collectively 'thinks' is really the least of their worries.

The magazine cover is considered 'sexual' because the image of a tall, slim attractive woman is in itself 'sexual' in a world where we have largely relegated women to that status, consciously or otherwise.

I think we're so hung up on abuse and molestation, we've lost sight of what this is really about.

[Sierabiera]

Maybe we'll just start with the facts, and move on from there.

The child is three years old, not 4. Additionally, the WHO (whatever you make think of them) recommends breast feeding for 2 years... not six months or 9 months, which is more typical for Americans.

Katherine Dettwyler, a professor of anthropology at the University of Delaware in Newark, has published studies on breast-feeding, found that most children around the world are breast-fed for three to five years or longer - and furthermore, American children who had been breastfed for longer than 2 years, were well-adjusted and their mother's tended to be upper-middle class and highly educated (Source). I guess in many areas of the world, what the inTerWebZ collectively 'thinks' is really the least of their worries.

The magazine cover is considered 'sexual' because the image of a tall, slim attractive woman is in itself 'sexual' in a world where we have largely relegated women to that status, consciously or otherwise.

I think we're so hung up on abuse and molestation, we've lost sight of what this is really about.

Were you actually addressing me? Cause I'm the last person to speak of being hung up on molestation. I just think of that kid 20 years from now, trying to get laid with that picture and his name. Obviously TIME was going for a controversial photo, otherwise they might as well have used a girl. But if you don't think that breastfeeding past the time of need (and that really depends on the nutritional status of the child, because if there are no problems with food, immunological benefits drop to negligible by 1 year) becomes more about the mom's needs and desires than the child's.

As for children being breast fed for 5 years, I don't know where they do that, they certainly didn't do that in the USSR.

As for the children being well-adapted, I wonder what criteria they used... certainly the mothers would be middle class, as others would simply not have the time to dedicate to doing this.

[Machater]

Were you actually addressing me? Cause I'm the last person to speak of being hung up on molestation. I just think of that kid 20 years from now, trying to get laid with that picture and his name. Obviously TIME was going for a controversial photo, otherwise they might as well have used a girl. But if you don't think that breastfeeding past the time of need (and that really depends on the nutritional status of the child, because if there are no problems with food, immunological benefits drop to negligible by 1 year) becomes more about the mom's needs and desires than the child's.

As for children being breast fed for 5 years, I don't know where they do that, they certainly didn't do that in the USSR.

As for the children being well-adapted, I wonder what criteria they used... certainly the mothers would be middle class, as others would simply not have the time to dedicate to doing this.

Also, regardless of the possible long-term benefits of breast-feeding, why can't a pump simply be used to extract the milk and stored long-term? The idea of a child attached to his mother's breast at age five is more than a little disturbing.

Also, Zoo, Time US is little more than a pandering Tabloid in comparison to its distribution in other countries. Have a look

[avaincmolla]

Were you actually addressing me? Cause I'm the last person to speak of being hung up on molestation. I just think of that kid 20 years from now, trying to get laid with that picture and his name. Obviously TIME was going for a controversial photo, otherwise they might as well have used a girl. But if you don't think that breastfeeding past the time of need (and that really depends on the nutritional status of the child, because if there are no problems with food, immunological benefits drop to negligible by 1 year) becomes more about the mom's needs and desires than the child's.

As for children being breast fed for 5 years, I don't know where they do that, they certainly didn't do that in the USSR.

As for the children being well-adapted, I wonder what criteria they used... certainly the mothers would be middle class, as others would simply not have the time to dedicate to doing this.

I honestly think 20 years from now, information will be very different from now, and probably so will our hangups.

I have no doubt Time did this for all the wrong reasons, but I wouldn't say this about the mother.

--- Post Update ---

Also, Zoo, Time US is little more than pandering Tabloid in comparison to its distribution to other countries. Have a look

I know - and the reason? Advertisers. Ad-funded 'news'... no wonder it's so bad on TV.

[mtvlover571]

I know - and the reason? Advertisers. Ad-funded 'news'... no wonder it's so bad on TV.

Aside from missing baseball on TV, I have no idea why I have cable. And it costs $250/mo too! Fun.

[uwJzsM8t]

Seems quite appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JqrM...eature=related

[occalmnab]

And it costs $250/mo too! Fun.

Typo i hope

[Ad0i89Od]

MAdditionally, the WHO (whatever you make think of them) recommends breast feeding for 2 years... not six months or 9 months, which is more typical for Americans.

The WHO recommends breast feeding for up to two years because in many of the developing nations formula milk is not readily available. This isn't the case in the US.

[oliverlogo]

Aside from missing baseball on TV, I have no idea why I have cable. And it costs $250/mo too! Fun.

Cancel your TV and pay my cable bill, it is way cheaper!

[Efonukmp]

Typo i hope

Wish it was. Verizon suckered me into a corporate account since I have a home office. What they failed to tell me was how expensive it was. Plus, they were nice enough to lock me into a 3yr contract because I verbally agreed (which I didn't).

[Sydaycymn]

Seems quite appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JqrM...eature=related

Beaten to it lol - was exactly what I thought of when I saw it

[Anaerbguagree]

Jackson's nipple pops out and OH MY GOD THE WORLD IS ENDING ARREST THAT WOMAN!

And then Time prints a magazine cover with a kid sucking on a tit. Oh, but that must be OK, because the nipple is covered...by someone's mouth. And it's not like just some nursing pic, she's all hey everybody check out my titty in this kid's mouth. The very first thing to pop into my mind was that this reminded me of that photoshop with those young gymnasts in poses that were meant to be provocative and the breyers ice cream that said "lickable". If you google image search the word lickable it's the very first thing that comes up. I'm not sure if I should laugh or be disturbed that it's the top search result.

Not that I really care about either nipple issue, but it's the lack of sense in this country that boggles my mind. Accidental nip slip = grab the pitchforks. Magazine cover of kid who looks too old to be breast feeding sucking on a tit = girl powar! Miley cyrus in a towel = good (I can't argue with that). High school girl sends a nude pic of herself to her boyfriend and we label her a sex criminal, and him too, and anyone else who might have seen it. 50+ year old actor publicly marries a 16 year old bimbo and it's fine. 50 year old man takes a 16 year old on a date and then rams her up the rear, that's legal too.

Make up your mind America, because this is getting stupid.

[HondasMenFox]

I may have missed it, but isn't any one else more surprised she does it also with an older adopted child? Yet they didn't use that for the photo as the kid is black

[onelovemp]

When I read the last Time Magazine Cover story...

See below for link to full cover image:
http://www.time.com/time/pr/magcovers/050912.jpg

... I really began to wonder... about where our society can be heading with this.

Firstly, to me the cover is certainly more CP than naked photos that 14 year olds text EACH OTHER.
Secondly, this has to be one of the worst things you can do to your child - from now on, this will be the kid that was sucking his mother's teet at the age of 4. The internet will never ever ever forget this... and neither will her son, who will surely be disappointed to find out that because of what his mom did, hers will be the last nipple in his mouth.
Thirdly, I'm not the biggest fan of Freud, but this is sooo sexual. Really, mom, if you like the sensation, this is what your husband is for... or your boyfriend... or your girlfriend for that matter... but not your 4-year-old.

3 issues:

1) Time magazine publishing this picture on the first page: this is just good old sensationalism to sell the mag. It caught your eye (and feelings). Mission accomplished.

2) The kid being pictured: I can follow your argumentation that it unnecessarily publicly displays him as a means to an end. I do however not think it'll harm him long term. I can picture the girls in a few years' time telling him "come to me I can be your hot mommy too!" [rofl] Unfortunately this sh*t happens a lot (too much) these days. I call that the Macaulay Culkin syndrome.

3) The message: "is it okay to breastfeed your kid until he's 3 or 4 years old?" - My answer: let people do whatever the **** they want. My wife and I had discussions about this about our son, people around us etc and we came to the conclusion that nobody should actually be allowed to tell you what is ok for you to do or not do (after you've of course covered the needs of your child in a best possible way). If a mother wants to keep breastfeeding her toddler past the recommended age set by the WHO, ****ing let her! If she feels it makes her and her child happier, who are you to tell her off? The PC brigade has nothing to say to a mother breastfeeding her child. Zero.

The WHO recommends breast feeding for up to two years because in many of the developing nations formula milk is not readily available. This isn't the case in the US.

Actually, it's more because of the fact that formula milk needs water to mix, and the quality of water in some developing nations is poor... if there is any.

[Xlkl9SFd]

I don't think the kid will have any problems with this growing up. Manny kids will be jealous he had such a hot mom to breastfeed from.

[JohnMaltczevitch]

The WHO recommends breast feeding for up to two years because in many of the developing nations formula milk is not readily available. This isn't the case in the US.

Yeah yeah yeah, the point was illustrative.

[18holesin]

On one hand, tabloid sensationalism - on the other a provocative photograph to highlight, and bring into discussion, America's hypocrisy over breasts?
I think it was a pretty gutsy move on her part as she must have known how much flack she'd get for it and, while I feel 3 is plenty old enough to have been weaned, especially when, as has been mentioned, the food supply is good, it's her call!
CK, a link to the older brother story? That would seem well out of line and one wonders if she's still feeding because she enjoys the sensation of having her nipples sucked?


A year or two back there was a fair bit of 'debate' down here about women publically breast feeding their babies - as in att he table of resteraunts, parks, etc. Some were saying it should be kept in private while others were saying they should be allowed to do what they like as it's natural and the problem is for those who're offended. The latter group were also outraged that people would look at them while they were feeding and had their breast(s) exposed - to bloody right people would be looking, especially with nice pert breasts .
While I dislike most young children (screaming **** machines), I would have to conceed that they may have a point if discrete about it, but would prefer not to see it - however, that's society's conditioning and if it was commonplace, we would barely notice it, I expect.


Forgot, some 'experts' have surmised that the (primarily) American fascination with large breasts has been partially due to being weaned early...

[Carol]

CK, a link to the older brother story? That would seem well out of line and one wonders if she's still feeding because she enjoys the sensation of having her nipples sucked?

Here it is, he is 5 years old. I imagine Time drew the line in the sand at using the older kid simply because he is black.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/846...tfeeding-son-3

And just in case the link doesn't work for those in other countries

A Los Angeles mother-of-two has appeared on the cover of Time magazine breastfeeding her three-year-old son.Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, has told of how she breastfeeds her two children, Aram who turns four next month, and five-year-old adopted son Samuel.The Time article explores the rise of attachment parenting, a set of controversial techniques made popular by US pediatrician Dr William Sears which includes baby-wearing, extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping.The provocative cover shot has already generated hundreds of news items debating how old is too old to breastfeed.Have you been criticised for breastfeeding your child for too long? Let us know by sending an email to news.feedback@ninemsn.com.au

The image is trending on Twitter where it has inspired X-rated jokes along with concerns that the child might be teased when he is older.Actress Alyssa Milano, who had a baby boy last August, joined the debate tweeting: "@Time no! You missed the mark! You're supposed to be making it easier for breastfeeding moms. Your cover is exploitive & extreme."Ms Grumet, who was breastfed by her own mother until she was six years old, said she has fond memories of drinking her mother's milk."It's really warm. It's like embracing your mother, like a hug. You feel comforted, nurtured and really, really loved. I had so much self-confidence as a child, and I know it's from that," she told the magazine.Ms Grumet said both her sons, including her eldest Samuel - who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2010 - also loved being breastfed.Samuel was breastfed almost immediately by Ms Grumet and usually latched on about once a month."Being able to give him that [comfort] with the trauma that he faced was really, really important to me. I didn't realise how much it would help my attachment to him," she said."When his English improved, because the connection was there, he didn't do it as much." Cue adoption jokes...

[LoloLibia]

And holding/hugging the boys wouldn't do?