Proceedings of The 6th Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Exploring the Complexities of Breastmilk as a Commodified Entity
Anna Delapaz
ABSTRACT:
This paper delves into the complexities surrounding the commodification of breastmilk, tracing its historical trajectory from ancient practices of wet nursing to the contemporary landscape of regulated donations and commercial transactions. This exploration begins by focusing on the biological processes of breastmilk production and establishes the unique nature of breastmilk as a resource tied to mothering and infant care. This paper incorporates theoretical frameworks, including Karl Polanyi’s concept of fictitious commodities, Louis Althusser’s theory of ideology, Debra Satz’s examination of noxious markets, Tithi Bhattacharya’s feminist perspective on social reproduction, and Adam Smith and Richard Titmuss’ insights on altruism and human behavior. Examining breastmilk as a fictitious commodity, similar to land and labor, reveals inherent contradictions in its market treatment. This paper explores the ideological transformation of breastmilk by for-profit entities, emphasizing the role of ‘science’ in framing breastmilk as a medical product. The juxtaposition of non-profit milk banks and for-profit companies highlights the role of altruism in breastmilk donation, relating to Richard Titmuss’ analysis of blood donation systems. The comparison with blood donation models underscores the potential detriments of a for-profit approach, revealing disparities in donor demographics. This comprehensive analysis explores societal and economic dimensions through a variety of theoretical lenses, shedding light on the implications of breastmilk commodification for women’s autonomy, gender roles, and broader societal values.
keywords: breastfeeding