[367] ‘MTSU On the Record’ looks at media depictions of breastfeeding

MURFREESBORO — The media’s characterizations of one of life’s most natural acts is the topic of the next “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Katie Foss, an associate professor of media studies, will air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 8, on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Foss is the author of “Breastfeeding and Media: Exploring Conflicting Discourses that Threaten Public Health.” The book analyzes more than 200 years’ worth of media depictions of breastfeeding in magazines, doctors’ office materials, television, digital media and other sources.

Her assertion is that both news and entertainment media create an ideal of the breastfeeding woman and criticize women who fail to live up to this model. Foss also claims that society perpetuates the false notion that breastfeeding is the sole responsibility of the mother, who likely is uneducated about and unprepared to deal with the difficulties she might encounter.

“As a whole, what we’re seeing is an emphasis on the individual woman … who is supposed to breastfeed and overcome all these obstacles without really knowing how or having the cultural support to do so,” Foss said.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.