# Babytalk Boob **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 4, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360 "2006-08-04T18:03:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/21 "2006-08-04T18:54:00Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] The picture is so unrevealing it could even be an elbow for all we know. [/QUOTE] That would be cool if it turned out to actually be an elbow. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/22 "2006-08-04T18:54:32Z")
[QUOTE=Clockwork And Candy] Since when is breastfeeding a sexual thing? šŸ˜• [/QUOTE] All breasts are sexual, didnā€™t you know that?! And theyā€™re dirty and shameful! Bad boobsā€¦bad, bad boobies. Wonā€™t somebody think of the children? Seriously, though - who ARE these people? Like many others have already said, you see more cleavage than that ever day on other magazines, ones that actually are meant to be titillating (heh). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/23 "2006-08-04T19:00:06Z")
It really says something about how badly weā€™ve pathologized sex and the human body when something as perfectly benign and natural and sweet as the image of a baby nursing at a breast is seen as objectionable or ā€œdirty.ā€ Anyone who is offended by this image is fucking sick in the head. Theyā€™re perverts. And if that woman actually believes her husband was ā€œuncomfortableā€ at the sight of a partially exposed breast, she better not open any e-mails from Nigerian bankers any time soon. What a joy she must be to live with. Iā€™d be willing to bet that guy has a stash of some kind of ungodly raunchy porn hidden away in his garage somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/24 "2006-08-04T19:00:31Z")
This reminds me of a conversation I had with my daughter the other day, beginning with the subject of ultra-prudes. I told her that everyone should be treated with respect - no one should have to ā€œearnā€ it. However, they could lose it, and lose it fast, and that there were some things that lose _my_ respect instantly (meaning, I will mercilessly ridicule these people guilt free until they remove themselves from my presence). Things that lose my respect instantly: - Church of Scientology members (although, I thought back at this and realize most of these people are dupes, not scamsters. I did let her know that I meant the active scamsters, not necessarily the naive dupes). - Ultra hardcore prudes, such as anyone offended by Janet Jacksonā€™s or this breast. If you were this type and were to complain to me about my daughter ridiculing you, youā€™d end up even worse off when I was done. - People who take a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis, or of any other mythological tale. - NY Mets and Boston Red Sox fans šŸ†’ Thereā€™re probably others, and Iā€™ve no doubt that traits of mine will raise the same ire in others. _Cā€™est la vie_ ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/25 "2006-08-04T19:02:13Z")
Words fail me. The nurturing of a new life is dirty? Offensive? Horrific? Disgusting? If this isnā€™t proof that some people are absolutely fucked in the head, I donā€™t know what is. Oh, and this: > [@](#): > > _From The Article In question:_ > > ā€œI was SHOCKED to see a giant breast on the cover of your magazine,ā€ one woman from Kansas wrote in reaction to the picture in Babytalk, a free magazine that caters to young mothers. ā€œI was offended and it made my husband very uncomfortable when I left the magazine on the coffee table.ā€ If she was so offended (why, doesnā€™t she have breasts, too?), then why did she leave it out ā€œon the coffee tableā€ where her poor, pitiful, fragile husband could see it?? Why are these people breeding? For that matter, HOW are they breeding? This is why I refuse to reproduce: people are obviously insane. ---
**Author:** ![InappropriateHumor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eb8c5e/32.png) [@InappropriateHumor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InappropriateHumor)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/26 "2006-08-04T19:04:40Z")
So then, does this mean that the Perpetually Offended are perfectly okey dokey with Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, or whatever, showing all but the nipple and labia on national television?\* And in some bizarre, acid flashback league illogic they find an image of a breast being used for its primary purpose to be unacceptable? Yes, I also think _that_\* is one cute picture! \*Slight exaggeration. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/27 "2006-08-04T19:05:12Z")
Come to think of it (sorry for double post), anyone besides me going to write a letter of support to this magazine? > [@](#): > > She said the Babytalk cover photo marks the first time a major parenting magazine in the United States dares to break the taboo about showing a womanā€™s breast and the outrage it has prompted is not about to discourage editors from doing it again. > > ā€œThis hasnā€™t scared us off at all,ā€ Moran said. ā€œWeā€™re thrilled and hopefully this will help women get more support for nursing.ā€ GOOD FOR THEM! Lisa Moran, you are my Hero of the Month! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/28 "2006-08-04T19:05:23Z")
You know, if we can convince the rest of the women in America to all bare their breasts at the same time, in public, itā€™s likely that the heads of all these prudes will explode and we can be rid of them once and for all. How about it, ladies? For America? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/29 "2006-08-04T19:08:44Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] You know, if we can convince the rest of the women in America to all bare their breasts at the same time, in public, itā€™s likely that the heads of all these prudes will explode and we can be rid of them once and for all. How about it, ladies? For America? [/QUOTE] Iā€™m all for that, but I think they should bare their vaginas too, just to really make the point. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/30 "2006-08-04T19:09:00Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] You know, if we can convince the rest of the women in America to all bare their breasts at the same time, in public, itā€™s likely that the heads of all these prudes will explode and we can be rid of them once and for all. How about it, ladies? For America? [/QUOTE] While in general I am all for this cause, there are some breasts which really should remain covered, for the good of all _man_kind. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/31 "2006-08-04T19:10:03Z")
[QUOTE=badbadrubberpiggy] ā€¦ Like many others have already said, you see more cleavage than that ever day on other magazines, ones that actually are meant to be titillating (heh). [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=InappropriateHumor] So then, does this mean that the Perpetually Offended are perfectly okey dokey with Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives, or whatever, showing all but the nipple and labia on national television?\* And in some bizarre, acid flashback league illogic they find an image of a breast being used for its primary purpose to be unacceptable? Yes, I also think _that_\* is one cute picture! \*Slight exaggeration. [/QUOTE] Well, to be absolutely fair, we donā€™t know that. The people quoted might have offered up the same exact quote to any of these, or to any picture of a woman not in a burka, for all we know. There are not enough rolleyes in the world for this attitude, however. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/32 "2006-08-04T19:10:14Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Man, whoever taught Middle America that their bodies were dirty did a bang-up job. ā˜¹ [/QUOTE] Apparently, hyper-prudery isnā€™t limited to the flyover states: > [@](#): > > A national television program also ran a segment on the controversy, interviewing several people in New York who expressed disgust over the cover photo. ---
**Author:** ![InappropriateHumor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eb8c5e/32.png) [@InappropriateHumor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InappropriateHumor)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/33 "2006-08-04T19:10:23Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] While in general I am all for this cause, there are some breasts which really should remain covered, for the good of all _man_kind. [/QUOTE] Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/34 "2006-08-04T19:12:06Z")
This just makes me sad. Iā€™m sad for these horrified people because it must be totally miserable to lead that kind of life, where everything, _everything_ is dirty in some way, unless itā€™s God himself, and even then, he might be met with a :dubious: . Iā€™m also sad because this level of reaction, especially when itā€™s big enough to make companies and magazines, and manufacturers _pull_ images because theyā€™re afraid to offend peopleā€¦itā€™s just too much. I fear that weā€™re too far gone as a people and there is no progress being made, and I will not see the end of this jackassery in my lifetime. Itā€™s frustrating. You canā€™t argue with someone who has nailed themselves to a cross in the name of protecting themselves and others from the most benign things in life. Deeply, deeply frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/35 "2006-08-04T19:15:09Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] That would be cool if it turned out to actually be an elbow. [/QUOTE] Oh, so youā€™re one of those people that enjoy seeing babies get elbowed in the mouth, huh? Sicko. Iā€™m calling my congressperson. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/36 "2006-08-04T19:16:31Z")
Iā€™ll be the first to admit that Iā€™m not too keen on women whipping out a tit in the middle of Starbucks to feed junior (please donā€™t hurt me, itā€™s just my opinion that Iā€™m stating because the background has some relevence to my opinion re: this), but COME ON! First of all, that picture is \*adorable. \* Look at that lil guy, heā€™s so happy! šŸ˜ƒ That picture would be ok anywhere, even by my slightly more prudish breast standards. On the front of a parenting magazine it should be expected. Further, there is nothing even remotely vulgar about that picture- you donā€™t seen any nipple and you only see a partial view of the breast. Did I mention that the lil guy just looks so cute and happy? And as far as the woman being horrified that her husband might see a breast. . . so, um, I take it he didnā€™t father her kids, right? ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/37 "2006-08-04T19:17:17Z")
[QUOTE=Elza B] Thereā€™s an older article out there about this with some woman whoā€™s horrified, absolutely _horrified_ that her husband and 13-year-old son might see a boob they didnā€™t want to see! :dubious: :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] What is frightening about Middle America is that this same woman could also have a 12 year old daughter who she sends out in public wearing spaghetti strap halter tops and short-shorts with the words ā€œsexy angelā€ plastered on the ass of them, and thinks nothing of it. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/38 "2006-08-04T19:22:00Z")
[QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] And as far as the woman being horrified that her husband might see a breast. . . so, um, I take it he didnā€™t father her kids, right? [/QUOTE] To be completely fair, it would be possible to father children without seeing a breast. Itā€™s not the way Iā€™d choose, but if you thought breasts were the devilā€™s playthings, you could avoid touching or seeing them. ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/39 "2006-08-04T19:24:10Z")
[QUOTE=Giles] To be completely fair, it would be possible to father children without seeing a breast. Itā€™s not the way Iā€™d choose, but if you thought breasts were the devilā€™s playthings, you could avoid touching or seeing them. [/QUOTE] Whereā€™s the fun in that? ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360/40 "2006-08-04T19:26:50Z")
[QUOTE=hawksgirl] Whereā€™s the fun in that? [/QUOTE] Obviously, it would be considerably less fun. But fun = evil (apparently) for these people. In fact, since for most of us sex in general is fun, itā€™s a wonder that these people manage to reproduce. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babytalk-boob/367360.md?page=3)