Lactavism? Adaptive guilt, Shame, and the myth of the Just World

The health outcomes associated with breastfeeding are weaker when
breastfeeding is not exclusive. And I think this is part of the
objection to "Lactivism" - the intense emphasis on exclusivity and
increasing breastfeeding duration. Rather than viewing early
breastfeeding cessation or cessation of breastfeeding exclusivity as a
personal failing, I feel that it's more an indictment of the lack of
structural supports and access to quality, evidence-based information
that can best support the breastfeeding dyad. It's easy to conflate the
finger pointing at the system's shortcomings with the individual,
especially when mother guilt is in full effect.
Is guilt a bad thing? Not according to shame researcher Brene Brown, nor other shame researchers. When processed positively, guilt is adaptive and helpful - shame, however, involves holding what we have or have not done up against our values, which leads to discomfort. Indeed, labeling (such as the use of th…
Is guilt a bad thing? Not according to shame researcher Brene Brown, nor other shame researchers. When processed positively, guilt is adaptive and helpful - shame, however, involves holding what we have or have not done up against our values, which leads to discomfort. Indeed, labeling (such as the use of th…