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Breastfeeding Bodies: Intimacies at Work

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  • Robyn Lee

Abstract

This paper will combine a review of literature on breastfeeding and work with an examination of feminist theory and theories of embodiment. Difficulties accommodating breastfeeding in contemporary workplaces result from problems with how bodies and intimacies are understood. The concept of corporeal generosity is useful in theorizing the intimate relationship involved in breastfeeding. However, it is also essential to recognize that the labour involved in this embodied, relational practice goes largely unvalued. Women's long association with giving has led to the devaluing of reproductive labour and care work. Reconceptualizing work by rethinking the division between productive and reproductive labour is necessary to allow more space for bodies and intimacies.

Suggested Citation

  • Robyn Lee, 2018. "Breastfeeding Bodies: Intimacies at Work," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 77-90, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:25:y:2018:i:1:p:77-90
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Swanson, Kara W., 2011. "Body Banks: A History of Milk Banks, Blood Banks, and Sperm Banks in the United States," Enterprise & Society, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(4), pages 749-760, December.
    4. Dykes, Fiona, 2005. "'Supply' and 'demand': breastfeeding as labour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 2283-2293, May.
    5. Ryan, Kath & Bissell, Paul & Alexander, Jo, 2010. "Moral work in women's narratives of breastfeeding," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(6), pages 951-958, March.
    6. Baker, Michael & Milligan, Kevin, 2008. "Maternal employment, breastfeeding, and health: Evidence from maternity leave mandates," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 871-887, July.
    7. Burns, E. & Schmied, V. & Fenwick, J. & Sheehan, A., 2012. "Liquid gold from the milk bar: Constructions of breastmilk and breastfeeding women in the language and practices of midwives," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(10), pages 1737-1745.
    8. Gatrell, Caroline Jane, 2007. "Secrets and lies: Breastfeeding and professional paid work," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 393-404, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eunjung Koo, 2021. "A Pluralistic insight on care value: Exuding from sharing gift of unpaid work at home," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 1413-1425, July.
    2. Bianca Stumbitz & Ameeta Jaga, 2020. "A Southern encounter: Maternal body work and low‐income mothers in South Africa," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 1485-1500, November.
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    5. Carol Atkinson & Fiona Carmichael & Jo Duberley, 2021. "The Menopause Taboo at Work: Examining Women’s Embodied Experiences of Menopause in the UK Police Service," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(4), pages 657-676, August.
    6. Ashlee Borgkvist & Vivienne Moore & Shona Crabb & Jaklin Eliott, 2021. "Critical considerations of workplace flexibility “for all” and gendered outcomes: Men being flexible about their flexibility," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 2076-2090, November.
    7. Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi & Amy Holmes, 2023. "Paternal Leave Entitlement and Workplace Culture: A Key Challenge to Paternal Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-13, April.
    8. Elaine Burns & Susanne Gannon & Heather Pierce & Sky Hugman, 2022. "Corporeal generosity: Breastfeeding bodies and female‐dominated workplaces," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 778-799, May.
    9. Ayesha Masood & Muhammad Azfar Nisar, 2020. "Crushed between two stones: Competing institutional logics in the implementation of maternity leave policies in Pakistan," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 1103-1126, November.
    10. Belinda Steffan & Wendy Loretto, 2025. "Menopause, work and mid‐life: Challenging the ideal worker stereotype," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 116-131, January.

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