Sociologist discusses links between breastfeeding, fertility

The Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies (FGSS) Program launched its lunch series Feb. 14 in Rockefeller Hall with a talk by sociologist Vida Maralani. 'People working in gender studies around the university don't have enough opportunities to talk together,' said FGSS director Kathleen Long, professor of Romance studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. 'These lunches will give us that chance.' Maralani, associate professor of sociology, focused on her research on breastfeeding and fertility, conducted with her former graduate student, Samuel Stabler. One reason the topic interested her, she said, is that breastfeeding is a 'culturally and emotionally charged' topic in the U.S. with many different stakeholders. Although the cultural messages span the continuum, from strong support to strong resistance, the reality is few women meet the guidelines recommended by the American Association of Pediatricians to breastfeed exclusively for six months. In 2002, only 35 percent of U.S. infants were breastfed at all for six months and only 13 percent were breastfed exclusively.