@SarahMC: But is the goal then to completely de-sexualize breasts? I've actually never thought about this that much and that probably says something about my social conditioning :-S

@rednrowdy: I'm with you and NNewt on this one. Seems to me that this will only serve the male gaze. Do we really think that at some point men will be able to look at a bare breast and not think about sex? How "normalizing" are we anticipating here? I just think this is the wrong way to go about it.

@NefariousNewt: Yeah, but doesn't this seem more like a step back?

I relate to Ms. Gilbert even though I haven't been to India or Indonesia (Italy: guilty). But, then - I am also a self-absorbed white woman who is suspicious of marriage as an institution.

Well, I'm 27 and my back went out last week so I definitely feel "old." Then again, I've felt like a middle-aged woman since I was 15, so it's not a new feeling!

@lavenderstain: HA! Honestly, if I have to shave half my body to be attractive in this world, the least guys can do is shave that damn armpit hair. Guys don't like it on me and guess what? I don't like it on them either. Blerg.

@Kivrin: Except you know that most men will look at that ad and think, "Like I have the time to actually worry about something stupid like deodorant clumping" and then make fun of it (also see: Axe body spray ads). Most women, on the other hand, seem to really internalize it when ads attack their insecurities.

@MizJenkins: High five! Have we reached the limit of social acceptability here yet? Twelve is too many for one belly!!

@southernbitch: Yeah, throughout the article I was really disgusted by the author's insistent use of the term "abortionist" until I got to the last paragraph. I understand what he was trying to do by hitting you over the head with that term but I don't think it was as effective as the author thought it might be. …

I was a cutter for more than five years throughout high school and college. And while body image and self-loathing was one factor, it was certainly not the only factor. Still, it definitely played a pretty significant role and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one. Just because it isn't the sole cause doesn't…

This is way late, but... living in Norway is so fucking rad. And although this law has been in place for a while, you definitely get a sense for equal gender relations even on a purely social level. It amazes me, just to see how many men walk around pushing strollers here. Back where I'm from in the Midwest? Not…

@VPea: I don't know, that may not be a wise option if she's taking meds for bipolar and/or smoking weed regularly. (Does anyone know if that affects breast milk?) Anyway, it might not be an option for them. And if one can't afford baby formula, there must be other important things they can't afford. Not to…

I kinda love how Meryl got the romantic lead in this - I think she's stone-cold sexy :)

@greengrey: Oh man, that's the worst - I mean it's already hot as hell down there no matter what season it is. It sucks for everyone involved, including the baby, I imagine.

@drunkexpatwriter: Yeah, I wasn't even thinking about the recession. The timeframe does seem wonky in the article.

@VPea: Dropping ice cream on a baby's face and not being able to afford baby formula? Two verrrry separate things.

@Alohamaid: Elevators, too.

@Ayoshe: I think some here will take issue with this, but I tend to agree. Even though my mom was on welfare for a few years when I was born, I think limited financial resources must make parenting a million times harder than it already is.

That's interesting, Mr. Butler, because I feel the same way about dogs: I appreciate the cute low-intelligence breeds because I know those Border Collies will just outwit me.

"the suffering of the enormous number of children born out of wedlock who's fathers have no societal obligations towards them and are entirely absent from their lives, save a check every month"