Breasts are integral to mothers’ bodies; over the life course, they can swell, droop, be judged, be aroused, lactate, be altered, be removed. A woman’s own breasts may be foremost in her mind during some life events, only to recede into the background at other times. Breasts are complex; they are enveloped by larger cultural meanings that go far beyond their mammary gland function, and we cannot fully understand breasts without examining the myriad discourses surrounding them. Social policies, cultural norms, and interpersonal interactions all help construct localized breast discourses which, in turn, shape mothers’ breast experiences. Through examining commonalities and differences over the lifespan, we can see that women’s breast experiences inform us about the social conditions in which women live their lives.
Breasts Across Motherhood stands as an important and engaging contribution to literature on embodiment. Throughout, the collection challenges medicalization, hyper-sexualization, and shaming related to the breast, and offers in their place intellectually rigorous argument, intimate narrative, and calls for Breasts Across Motherhood is rich with diverse insights into the stigmas, realities, and expectations around what breasts mean to mothers, their offspring, and the many parts of society that influence attitudes and outcomes. This exploration of how breasts are seen across motherhood in different regions and situations provides a unique and essential angle from which to understand women and children’s rights and roles across cultures. Renée E. Mazinegiizhigoo-kwe Bédard’s essay on the sacredness of Anishinaabeg mothers’ breasts, for example, offers deep insight into one cultural approach and its effects. Breasts Across Motherhood’s explorations of public breastfeeding and societal norms, and consideration of issues such as foster/adoptive mothers and their breasts and breastfeeding options, l#
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