a teachable moment

[BlueEeyore]

I was teaching my students about sex-limited genes and gave them a couple examples: both genders have the gene for growing beards and producing milk, but you have to have the right hormonal environment for these traits to become expressed.

So that started a BUNCH of questions about breastfeeding. So, not being one to miss an opportunity to educate, I told them all the benefits of BFing, as well as the mechanisms and behind it. They were horrified when I told them AAP's and WHO's guidelines - but I acted like we Americans were the weirdos (and we are!) I told them that around the world, the average weaning age is between 3 and 7 years.

One student says, "The other day I was at the zoo and I saw a mom just whip it out." In reply, I said (with as straight a face as I could muster), "Oh. That was probably me!" That caught them all off guard. :lmao

I am fortunate in that I get along really well with my students. One of my classes is convinced I know everything. Ha! So I'm hoping I really made an impact.

[Dogzilla]

Good for you.

If it wasn't you at the zoo, it was probably me. :lol

[Momtose]

That's great!

[Momtose]

Oh, and I wasn't at the zoo, or it may have been me.

[lucysmom]

I'm glad you took the opportunity. So many people are (sadly)never exposed to breastfeeding culture. I try to educate the masses wherever I go too...

[BlueEeyore]

I'm always amazed I don't get calls from parents complaining about how I'm warping their children. So far, knock on wood, I've been lucky. But I try to let them know that virtually no subject is tabboo as long as I can somehow find a way to teach it within the context of science.

[BlueEeyore]

Jesus. I'm being bitched at by someone at BF.com for the same post over there.

[Clutterbug]

I'm glad that you had the chance to have this discussion with your class.

...and I wasn't at the zoo, I was nursing at the circus...

[Momtose]

Seems that one gal didn't like the word "weird." :rolleyes

I stand by my assertion you did the right thing in your class.

[Small Town Ho]

That's great that you are teaching your class about Bf, that got me thinking and I don't recall ever learning about Bf in school. And I took human sexuality in college and I don't think we ever talked about it but we spent alot of time on pg and conception. Of course we may have discussed it and I was too busy being hung over to remember.