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Tits Up: What Sex Workers, Milk Bankers, Plastic Surgeons, Bra Designers, and Witches Tell Us about Breasts
An innovative investigation of the five strange worlds that worship women’s chests
After years of biopsies, best-selling author Sarah Thornton made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy, but after her reconstructive surgery, she was perplexed: What had she lost? And gained? An experienced sleuth, she resolved to venture behind the scenes to uncover the social and cultural significance of breasts.
Tits Up reveals the diverse truths of mammary glands from the strip club to the operating room, from the nation’s oldest human milk bank to the fitting rooms of bra designers. Thornton draws insights from plastic surgeons, lactation consultants, body-positive witches, lingerie models, and “free the nipple” activists to explore the status of breasts as emblems of femininity.
She examines how women’s chests have become a billion-dollar business, as well as a stage for debates about race, class, gender, and desire. Everywhere she turns, Thornton encounters chauvinistic myths that quietly justify restrictions to women’s bodily autonomy and diminish women's political status.
Blending sociology, reportage, and personal narrative with refreshing optimism and wit, Thornton has one overriding ambition―to liberate breasts from centuries of patriarchal prejudice.
After years of biopsies, best-selling author Sarah Thornton made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy, but after her reconstructive surgery, she was perplexed: What had she lost? And gained? An experienced sleuth, she resolved to venture behind the scenes to uncover the social and cultural significance of breasts.
Tits Up reveals the diverse truths of mammary glands from the strip club to the operating room, from the nation’s oldest human milk bank to the fitting rooms of bra designers. Thornton draws insights from plastic surgeons, lactation consultants, body-positive witches, lingerie models, and “free the nipple” activists to explore the status of breasts as emblems of femininity.
She examines how women’s chests have become a billion-dollar business, as well as a stage for debates about race, class, gender, and desire. Everywhere she turns, Thornton encounters chauvinistic myths that quietly justify restrictions to women’s bodily autonomy and diminish women's political status.
Blending sociology, reportage, and personal narrative with refreshing optimism and wit, Thornton has one overriding ambition―to liberate breasts from centuries of patriarchal prejudice.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2024
193 people are currently reading
7883 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Thornton
19 books269 followersSarah Thornton was the chief writer on contemporary art for The Economist. She holds a BA in art history and a PhD in sociology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
June 13, 2024
I wanted to like this book, because I love a deep dive into a topic, but the milk bank chapter was horrible. “The infant milk beverage business has appropriated the feminist rhetoric around a woman’s basic human right to bodily self determination.” Sorry to those of us who couldn’t breastfeed our children; we just aren’t feminist enough! Formula literally kept my children alive when I couldn’t, but according to Thornton, that is the “last and least” rated option to feed your children (after direct nursing, nursing and feeding pumped milk, exclusively pumping, and donor milk). She also promotes the idea of WIC no longer providing formula so low income women would be forced to breastfeed (Not chest feed! She doesn’t like that word! She gets TERFy in this chapter).
I should have stopped reading at that chapter. I didn’t, exclusively so I could leave a 1 star review. And while the rest of the book didn’t infuriate me as much, or make me feel quite so belittled, but it still just wasn’t very good. Also, for someone who wants to be reclaiming the word tits, she certainly uses the phrases “top half” and “bosom” a lot.
I should have stopped reading at that chapter. I didn’t, exclusively so I could leave a 1 star review. And while the rest of the book didn’t infuriate me as much, or make me feel quite so belittled, but it still just wasn’t very good. Also, for someone who wants to be reclaiming the word tits, she certainly uses the phrases “top half” and “bosom” a lot.
March 17, 2024
The expression “tits up” is American showbiz slang for an upbeat attitude, often used as a positive send-off from one woman to another. “Tits up” reminds a woman to stand up, pull her shoulders back, and flourish. It’s a cheer that reassures a sister that she will succeed.
Sarah Thornton is a sociologist and ethnographer, and when breast cancer forced her to have a double mastectomy — and she didn’t think twice about having breast implants as part of her reconstructive surgery — she received blowback from her feminist friends that she was caving to the pressures of the patriarchy. Being a lesbian and a public feminist herself, Thornton was in a unique position to self-interrogate on just why she wanted the implants, and as an author who has made a career of writing on art and culture, she went out into the field to investigate those whose work centres on women’s breasts: sex workers, milk bank donors, plastic surgeons, bra designers, and in a bit of a stretch thematically (but intriguing to read about), pagan/witchy women who bare their breasts ritually. In Tits Up, Thornton approaches each experience with curiosity and impartiality, and from lapdancers to lactation consultants, she treats everyone she encounters with dignity and genuine interest. From the fascinating facts to the engaging writing style, I loved everything about this; four and a half stars, perkily rounded up. (Note: I read an ARC through NetGalley and passages quoted may not be in their final forms.)
Tits Up explores beauty, health, respect, self-esteem, self-determination, humanness, and equality. I hope to shed light on breasts in ways that elevate their value, not just because I believe in some happy, shiny body positivity, but because these organs are emblematic of womanhood. Put another way, I have no doubt that the status of breasts — not to mention tits, titties, jugs, racks, and apexes — is integral to women’s social position. For as long as breasts are disparaged as silly boobs, we will remain the “second sex.”
I’ll start by stating that my sense of the title is closer to the British usage: “In Britain, ‘tits up’ means something has gone ‘belly up,’ like a lifeless fish floating in water”, but I do appreciate Thornton’s more positive usage (and she does suggest that the American showbiz slang might be an ironic flip of the original, like “break a leg”). Thornton starts her investigation in a strip club, and along the way interviews a variety of sex workers (which she calls an “umbrella term” that includes strippers, sensual masseuses, porn [film/online/phone] actors, sexual surrogates, professional sugar babies, dominatrices, karaoke hostesses [domis]; even Hooters waitresses, cheerleaders, and perhaps, wives], and concludes:
Strippers, as professional manipulators of male desire, are acutely aware of the dynamics of patriarchy. Sitting here, I’ve come to respect their position on the frontline, observing their shrewd navigation of the global gender war. In the past, I might have assumed that they pandered to patriarchy, but I’ve come to see this perspective as prudish and thoughtlessly classist.
Thornton’s ultimate conclusion on this type of work — as a feminist and as a cultural commentator — is that the state needs to stop policing sex work, “If some women can’t sell their bodies, then none of us actually own our bodies.” Thornton turns her attention to milk banks — interviewing those who donate surplus breast milk, those who buy it, and those who run the milk banks — and she discovers a lot about differing global attitudes to breastfeeding (Norway is the world leader, France is culturally opposed [one French woman even had her doctor advise her to stop breastfeeding after eight months because, “Your breasts belong to your husband”], and the USA is somewhere in the middle, with African-Americans least likely to breastfeed [likely a holdover from when enslaved women were forced to wetnurse]), all of which I found fascinating:
Most of the “breast is best” conversation has focused on the benefits of breastfeeding for infants, as if the health of mothers were irrelevant — a phenomenon that a militant might dub medical misogyny but which I prefer to call patriarchal obliviousness.
A final note on the American situation: the WIC (food stamps program) is the world’s largest purchaser of powdered infant formula, and Thornton writes that the WIC program is weirdly administered by the USDA instead of Health and Human Services, quoting the director of Mothers’ Milk Bank in Austin, Texas as explaining,“(It’s) because WIC is a US dairy farmers’ subsidization program. Do you think it’s their mission to improve community public health by having more breastfed children? No, they say a whole lot of things, but their mission is to make sure that the bovine industry is alive and well in the USA.” Interesting. Moving on to plastic surgery, Thornton observes as a woman has her implants removed and her remaining breast tissue repaired, and has a fascinating interview with her surgeon. We learn that more trans men than trans women have “top surgery” (likely because the first is covered by insurance while the second isn’t), most women who have a mastectomy opt for implants (again: covered by insurance, so most don’t think too hard about the alternative), and as the majority of plastic surgeons are men, they tend to recommend large implants with 1960’s-era Playboy cartoon upturned nipples (the woman surgeon that Thornton is watching even describes conferences at which the male surgeons still joke about asking men if they want to go up a cup size while their wives are already under sedation. Har har.) But although Thornton appreciates the misogynistic overtones of breast implants, she concludes:
While most feminists have seen beauty as a form of submission, others have argued that it is a means of resistance. I think the binary logic of this “structure versus agency” debate is a dead end because the problem is not an either-or. The pursuit of beauty can be both a form of obedience and an effort to subvert and surmount. I read a compelling article by critic Rita Felski, arguing that feminists need to craft thicker descriptions of aesthetic experience so we can balance the political costs of being beautiful with the emotional benefits. Only then can we do justice to the reasons why humans pursue and take solace in beauty.
I didn’t take much away from the section on bra designers (other than the evolving history of women’s “intimates” that still keep us covered, and controlled, more than men), and while the final section at the Fool’s Journey pagan restorative retreat did make for interesting reading, it’s tangential to the topic at best:
Through being here and researching the place of breasts in spirituality, I have come to understand that there is no necessary opposition between feminism and religion. Women’s emancipation is not exclusively secular. In fact, our liberation may be enhanced by flights of fancy and leaps of faith.
Naturally, there’s a lot more information in Tit’s Up than can be included here, but I want to reiterate that this is a very pleasing and pleasant read. It makes a good companion piece to a book I read last year — Butts: A Backstory, on the history of male attraction to the female behind — and as with that book, I think it’s important to stop every now and then and interrogate the culture we’re living in: we may find ourselves in a time of hyperfixation on and sexualization of breasts, but that has not been the case across global cultures and throughout human history. So when a socially acute woman like Thornton makes the decision to include breast implants as a part of her post-mastectomy reconstruction — despite being very aware of the counteracting pressures put upon her by the patriarchy and her sisterhood of feminist friends — we ought to acknowledge, even celebrate, what that decision meant to her own sense of self and mental well-being:
When I observe women who relish their cleavage, I am delighted by their good fortune. Breasts and chests are the literal front and center of body positivity.
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June 9, 2024This book -- how do I put this? -- sucked.
May 24, 2024
[Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest & unbiased review.]
I really wanted to love this book - and for a while, I did. In fact, I still appreciate the multiple perspectives that Thornton took with her chapter choices. Breasts in sex work, motherhood, plastic surgery, fashion, religion/spirituality; pardon the pun, but it’s a well-rounded exploration.
I learned a lot of interesting tidbits throughout this book, like how milk banks are just one more good thing that was once co-opted by eugenics. I smiled at the inclusion of sex-positive pioneers such as Annie Sprinkle. And I found myself irate at, well… usually the patriarchy. (Perfect example? Male plastic surgeons who will place nipples in a higher position that they find more visually appealing but that women don’t actually like living with.)
However, I also found myself rolling my eyes at the author for stating things like “in stripper slang, she’s a domme disguised as a sub.” (I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think that’s just “stripper slang.”) Use of out-dated and stigmatizing language such as “full blown AIDS.” Or her frequent slights aimed at other feminists, such as “a phenomenon that a militant might dub medical misogyny.”
As more time passed, I started to notice that perhaps that low-key level of tone-deafness was really just the tip of the iceberg with this book.
Thornton puts a lot of work into TELLING us that she’s rather progressive. She explicitly refers to TERFs as bigots, for example. But then she makes an argument that is all-too-familiar in TERF rhetoric: that gender neutral terms like “chestfeeding” erase cisgender women. Her overreaction goes even further, fearing that no woman will be able to identify as a “mother” anymore. In short, she misses the argument completely.
At other times, it’s less about Thornton’s own misguided ideas and more that she chooses to give credence to others’ harmful opinions by not consciously examining them. For example: Thornton spends most of one chapter with a plastic surgeon who waxes poetic about how breast augmentation can be really empowering for women. The surgeon then hypocritically states that she has never performed a chest masculinizing surgery because “I love breasts and mastectomies are very permanent.” At least in this instance, Thornton provided alternative insight from another (less closed-minded) surgeon. But the problematic statement was never actually unpacked.
It’s like how Thornton makes multiple statements about how feminists have focused too much on the right NOT to have children - even pointing out that some (anti-choice?) activists feel the need to distance themselves by using the term “birth justice” instead of “reproductive justice.” Thornton never challenges this by educating on the actual values of reproductive justice - which includes not only the right to have children, but to parent them in safe environments. This does an injustice not only to feminism, but specifically to the Black feminists who founded the reproductive justice movement and have spent their lives rallying behind the rights of mothers.
I don’t want it to seem like I absolutely hated Tits Up; I didn’t. But I would say that if you are sensitive to transphobic micro-aggressions or feminist infighting… I wonder if maybe you’d do better to get your titty facts from books such as Breasts by Florence Williams. I haven’t yet had the chance to read it, but now I feel the need to compare.
I really wanted to love this book - and for a while, I did. In fact, I still appreciate the multiple perspectives that Thornton took with her chapter choices. Breasts in sex work, motherhood, plastic surgery, fashion, religion/spirituality; pardon the pun, but it’s a well-rounded exploration.
I learned a lot of interesting tidbits throughout this book, like how milk banks are just one more good thing that was once co-opted by eugenics. I smiled at the inclusion of sex-positive pioneers such as Annie Sprinkle. And I found myself irate at, well… usually the patriarchy. (Perfect example? Male plastic surgeons who will place nipples in a higher position that they find more visually appealing but that women don’t actually like living with.)
However, I also found myself rolling my eyes at the author for stating things like “in stripper slang, she’s a domme disguised as a sub.” (I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think that’s just “stripper slang.”) Use of out-dated and stigmatizing language such as “full blown AIDS.” Or her frequent slights aimed at other feminists, such as “a phenomenon that a militant might dub medical misogyny.”
As more time passed, I started to notice that perhaps that low-key level of tone-deafness was really just the tip of the iceberg with this book.
Thornton puts a lot of work into TELLING us that she’s rather progressive. She explicitly refers to TERFs as bigots, for example. But then she makes an argument that is all-too-familiar in TERF rhetoric: that gender neutral terms like “chestfeeding” erase cisgender women. Her overreaction goes even further, fearing that no woman will be able to identify as a “mother” anymore. In short, she misses the argument completely.
At other times, it’s less about Thornton’s own misguided ideas and more that she chooses to give credence to others’ harmful opinions by not consciously examining them. For example: Thornton spends most of one chapter with a plastic surgeon who waxes poetic about how breast augmentation can be really empowering for women. The surgeon then hypocritically states that she has never performed a chest masculinizing surgery because “I love breasts and mastectomies are very permanent.” At least in this instance, Thornton provided alternative insight from another (less closed-minded) surgeon. But the problematic statement was never actually unpacked.
It’s like how Thornton makes multiple statements about how feminists have focused too much on the right NOT to have children - even pointing out that some (anti-choice?) activists feel the need to distance themselves by using the term “birth justice” instead of “reproductive justice.” Thornton never challenges this by educating on the actual values of reproductive justice - which includes not only the right to have children, but to parent them in safe environments. This does an injustice not only to feminism, but specifically to the Black feminists who founded the reproductive justice movement and have spent their lives rallying behind the rights of mothers.
I don’t want it to seem like I absolutely hated Tits Up; I didn’t. But I would say that if you are sensitive to transphobic micro-aggressions or feminist infighting… I wonder if maybe you’d do better to get your titty facts from books such as Breasts by Florence Williams. I haven’t yet had the chance to read it, but now I feel the need to compare.
June 8, 2024
Who knew "innovative investigation" could mean "finding only the people I want to talk to about what I want to talk about." Surprisingly close-minded and boring for a book about tits.
July 30, 2024
I was really fascinated by the last section regarding boobs and spirituality, but the content from the rest of the book just left me with a bad taste. Chapter 2 had so much potential, as I had no idea about milk banks; however, I was greeted by the author and interviewees shaming women who formula feed. Just as it was written, it felt to me as if anyone who used the formula was scrutinized for doing so. It seemed like mothers who chose that route were being lazy & they should have tried other ways first. It just seems hypocritical to make a judgment on mothers choosing to use formula over anything else, as a large part of feminism to me is letting women CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO FUCKING DO. In that chapter, there is also some transphobic rhetoric in the language used. The author talks about how using chest-feeding takes away from a woman's identity of creating life. For someone who spends a whole book talking about the language surrounding a person's chest and how we need to strive for less demeaning phrases & reclaim certain phrases, she sure does like sticking with very gendered language that can be demeaning for some. On top of that, she tends to utilize the word chest or top half a lot considering her stance on destigmatizing words like tits, boobs, breasts, tiddies, jugs, etc. More than anything, I was just extremely let down by this book
October 3, 2025
Certain chapters worked better than others for me. I loved the opening, and the chapters on sex work and plastic surgery. The chapter about witches, a topic I usually like, felt out of place to me. The breastfeeding chapter, which is what many people are the most unhappy about, was unbalanced and clearly showed a bias towards "breast is always best" without consideration of all the factors that sometimes make it impractical. Also, it moralized breastfeeding in a way I found very weird.
This will be an interesting book club discussion for sure, as the author steps into some topics her rhetoric couldn't really handle with nuance, in my opinion. Also, I think some reflecting on how her purported values (being a trans ally, for example) compare with her actual use of language, and some outdated paradigmatic thinking, particularly about gender, that are hallmarks of third wave feminism, as opposed to fourth (she was born in 1965 so that's not really all that surprising).
An interesting read, though! I got through the audio super fast.
This will be an interesting book club discussion for sure, as the author steps into some topics her rhetoric couldn't really handle with nuance, in my opinion. Also, I think some reflecting on how her purported values (being a trans ally, for example) compare with her actual use of language, and some outdated paradigmatic thinking, particularly about gender, that are hallmarks of third wave feminism, as opposed to fourth (she was born in 1965 so that's not really all that surprising).
An interesting read, though! I got through the audio super fast.
July 10, 2024
The structure of this book is more like a podcast than a book. The author interviews a series of people about breasts, interspersed with some light research. Already kind of disappointing if you were hoping for a more thorough analysis, but then the breastfeeding chapter is just a mess. Gender essentialism, shaming people who need formula to feed their babies, and some TERFy rhetoric. No thanks
February 16, 2024
This book is for anyone who loves microhistories, has boobs, or loves boobs! I was immediately drawn into "Tits Up" with Thornton's tongue-in-cheek humor and ability to tell a story. She craftily delves into the anatomy of boobs, why tits are objectified and sexualized by many, and the many industries that thrive off boobs. Thornton does a superb job of shadowing and interviewing sex workers, exploring what boobs mean to their industry, while also treating them with dignity and respect. She then analyzes the nurturing and mothering aspect of boobs, exploring breastfeeding and the options of why some moms use formula. Interestingly enough, readers will also learn about the cultural differences of how boobs are perceived globally, and what the preferred shape and sizes are, which has allowed the plastic surgery industry to be so successful. I also loved the chapter on the fashion industry, what goes in to making a bra, and why are breast sizes classified the way they are in terms of alphabetical cups. Readers will laugh out loud while reading "Tits Up," while equally feeling enraged by the censorship and unfair standards placed upon women's breasts (federal law demands augmentation for women who lose their boobs to mastectomies, but doesn't protect breastfeeding). I have already recommended this book to several people, and will continue to promote it as a must-read!
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June 18, 2024DNF for personal reasons, no rating. First off, I hoped this book would be about boobs, women, and how both are treated in society (as someone who is busty and is often seen as tits first, person second, this topic would be super interesting to me), and it kinda is, but not enough. The main reason I didn't finish this book was because it's mostly about the author's experience with plastic surgery and boob implants and how her life changed that way, which isn't the same as growing up as busty.
Pretty sure, growing up, I had no boobs, then C cup by the 7th grade, and by the time I was the adult I am now, DDD. It definitely affects you, in good and bad ways. I reallyyyy would love to hear stories, studies, a critical eye of any kind from anyone who isn't me about this same topic. It might not be anything new or anything I wouldn't agree with, but I'd still love to hear it. This book isn't that. Which was disappointing. I don't personally care about a plastic surgery story.
I also didn't love this book because it felt very narrow. She gets opinions, but they aren't exactly well-sourced. ("I asked my niece and nephew to tell me what they call boobs! See, men and women regard them differently!" Ehhh...)
I just wasn't impressed. Maybe it picks up in the second half, but from what I read, I have other things to read. Not bad, just not for me.
Pretty sure, growing up, I had no boobs, then C cup by the 7th grade, and by the time I was the adult I am now, DDD. It definitely affects you, in good and bad ways. I reallyyyy would love to hear stories, studies, a critical eye of any kind from anyone who isn't me about this same topic. It might not be anything new or anything I wouldn't agree with, but I'd still love to hear it. This book isn't that. Which was disappointing. I don't personally care about a plastic surgery story.
I also didn't love this book because it felt very narrow. She gets opinions, but they aren't exactly well-sourced. ("I asked my niece and nephew to tell me what they call boobs! See, men and women regard them differently!" Ehhh...)
I just wasn't impressed. Maybe it picks up in the second half, but from what I read, I have other things to read. Not bad, just not for me.
Read
August 24, 2024DNF after the milk bank chapter in which the author utters some vaguely terf-y rhetoric, says she doesn't like the term pro-choice, and has all the wrong takeaways about the information she is providing. Like uncritically including the idea that WIC stop providing formula? Comparing the harms of formula feeding to smoking? Pontificating on your completely misguided issues with the term “pro-choice”? And then the entire last part of the chapter is a person in a situation where milk is quickly becoming inaccessible? Do you not see how some people are going to have no choice and we should make that as safe, accessible, and non judgmental as possible??? Obviously, a lot of other things need to change for this society to be an optimal environment for parents, children, and for folks having access to healthcare and the essentials for their infants. But why did this book focus so much on how individual parents should change the way they feed their babies? There are material obstacles to accessing breast milk if you have trouble producing it yourself, (like when it’s 4,000 a month and your insurance refuses to cover it or reimburse you, a situation she literally writes about in this chapter and yet) and there are material obstacles to that too, so in the meantime I’m sure feeding your kid formula is better than malnourishment! This is such fearmongering judgmental bs and I have serious concerns about the loose research she’s using to back this up. Much of it seems anecdotal to me! I already had my reservations after chapter 1, where she appeared as the weirdest voyeur in the strip club, but I just can’t continue reading after this thoughtless and explicitly harmful drivel! The occasional interesting fact is simply not enough to drive me to continue forward and I wouldn’t really recommend this to anyone after the first 30%
March 9, 2024
This was soooo interesting! For anyone who appreciates boobs, you will love this. It was funny, sensitive, and very informative. The author really picked great perspectives to view the topic from. There was so much interesting information, not just about boobs, but about history and pioneers in various industries. Really, really interesting stuff. I loved reading it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 31, 2024
I'll start off by thanking Shreya for recommending this book to me, and for letting me borrow her copy of it.
Sarah Thornton is a sociologist and writer. Most importantly for this book, she is also a patient of a mastectomy, and all the following breast implants and lift surgeries deemed as a package deal. In undergoing these procedures, she started to wonder more about her breasts, and the socio-cultural stigmas and taboos around it. And thereby started her journey of discovery, research, and writing for this book that beautifully presents the issues with how we view breasts, and the implications of it.
The book is broken down into chapters that focus on breasts in different ways: from the sexualization of them in strip clubs, the mammalian function of lactation, to cutting through the flesh in surgical theaters, designing bras for the right fit, and religious and pagan beliefs about breasts, Thornton covers each research area masterfully. She never judges the subjects of her conversation, and in the odd places where she does have biases and opinions, she mentions them explicitly for the readers. The chapter on the operations of Milk Banks in California, which explains the rise and dangers of formula as an alternative to breast milk was particularly insightful.
I learnt so much from this book, which I think makes for an excellent read especially alongside Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution which I'm currently also reading. Some fascinating, startling, and terrifying quotes and pieces of information were:
"In some western African countries like Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau, the presence of breasts makes women so vulnerable to sexual violence that an alarming number of mothers and other family members subject their pubescent girls to a painful process called breast ironing, whereby breasts are cauterized, pounded, and bound over months to try to delay breast development." https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/cont...
In Mali, 'she whose breasts have fallen' is a respectful term for an older woman, not a slur betraying derision or disgust.
In Hindu mythology, Sati Mata, an aspect of Shakthi, sacrificed her life in an immolation in a sacred pyre. Her ashes are believed to have been strewn all across India and the Indian subcontinent, and there are temples associated with each of her body parts, including her breasts and vagina, which are all considered sacred. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakta_...
"I recently asked my niblings, who attended a public high school in an affluent suburb in New York City, what words their friends use for breasts. My nephew, a 16 year old sophomore who socializes with his mates on the soccer team, openly rattled off six terms, starting with "rack" and ending with "tits". My niece, an 18 year old senior, said that the only word the girls in her grade used regularly was "boobs". This disparity in vocabulary is symptomatic of the gender inequalities embodied unconsciously by many Americans. It is also indicative of the larger problem of who defines and controls women's bodies."
So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves about our bodies, and refuse definitions and depictions from male-dominated society, we can reclaim our words and the power of our vocabulary. We can recommend and promote this book to our friends. We can stand tall, walk with our shoulders back, and walk with purpose and confidence, which we will also henceforth call, 'Tits Up'.
Sarah Thornton is a sociologist and writer. Most importantly for this book, she is also a patient of a mastectomy, and all the following breast implants and lift surgeries deemed as a package deal. In undergoing these procedures, she started to wonder more about her breasts, and the socio-cultural stigmas and taboos around it. And thereby started her journey of discovery, research, and writing for this book that beautifully presents the issues with how we view breasts, and the implications of it.
The book is broken down into chapters that focus on breasts in different ways: from the sexualization of them in strip clubs, the mammalian function of lactation, to cutting through the flesh in surgical theaters, designing bras for the right fit, and religious and pagan beliefs about breasts, Thornton covers each research area masterfully. She never judges the subjects of her conversation, and in the odd places where she does have biases and opinions, she mentions them explicitly for the readers. The chapter on the operations of Milk Banks in California, which explains the rise and dangers of formula as an alternative to breast milk was particularly insightful.
I learnt so much from this book, which I think makes for an excellent read especially alongside Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution which I'm currently also reading. Some fascinating, startling, and terrifying quotes and pieces of information were:
"In some western African countries like Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau, the presence of breasts makes women so vulnerable to sexual violence that an alarming number of mothers and other family members subject their pubescent girls to a painful process called breast ironing, whereby breasts are cauterized, pounded, and bound over months to try to delay breast development." https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/cont...
In Mali, 'she whose breasts have fallen' is a respectful term for an older woman, not a slur betraying derision or disgust.
In Hindu mythology, Sati Mata, an aspect of Shakthi, sacrificed her life in an immolation in a sacred pyre. Her ashes are believed to have been strewn all across India and the Indian subcontinent, and there are temples associated with each of her body parts, including her breasts and vagina, which are all considered sacred. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakta_...
"I recently asked my niblings, who attended a public high school in an affluent suburb in New York City, what words their friends use for breasts. My nephew, a 16 year old sophomore who socializes with his mates on the soccer team, openly rattled off six terms, starting with "rack" and ending with "tits". My niece, an 18 year old senior, said that the only word the girls in her grade used regularly was "boobs". This disparity in vocabulary is symptomatic of the gender inequalities embodied unconsciously by many Americans. It is also indicative of the larger problem of who defines and controls women's bodies."
So, what can we do? We can educate ourselves about our bodies, and refuse definitions and depictions from male-dominated society, we can reclaim our words and the power of our vocabulary. We can recommend and promote this book to our friends. We can stand tall, walk with our shoulders back, and walk with purpose and confidence, which we will also henceforth call, 'Tits Up'.
May 3, 2024
This book was a great dive into the world of tits! I loved the range of topics from sex work and plastic surgery, to lactation, bra design and holistic witchery. Each chapter explored ideas about what breasts are, what they are not, and their relevance to specific social and business groups. However, those who feed their infants formula may find the chapter on milk bankers to be off-putting.
Overall, the book was a perfect blend of humor and information. Readers will find themselves swinging between feelings of awe, anger, and giddiness, which sets an excellent tone for such a taboo topic that touches everyone. If you've ever owned anything that proudly states "I ♥️ boobies!", then this book if for you!
Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced reader copy :)
Overall, the book was a perfect blend of humor and information. Readers will find themselves swinging between feelings of awe, anger, and giddiness, which sets an excellent tone for such a taboo topic that touches everyone. If you've ever owned anything that proudly states "I ♥️ boobies!", then this book if for you!
Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced reader copy :)
May 8, 2025
Author Interview on the podcast: Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria, May 13, 2024
So, I really liked this when I first read it a couple of months ago, but then one of my book clubs picked it to read and because it was a 'just for fun read' back in February, I was doing a jigsaw puzzle while I listened to it and didn't so much pay attention quite enough to have a thoughtful discussion about it, so I felt like I needed to re-read it and jot down some thoughts for future me.
After a second read, I do still really like it. I also read some of the other reviews, and other readers brought up some fair points, not all of which align with my reading experience, but overall this book gave me a lot to think about and I think will make for an interesting book club discussion.
The introduction sets up the exploration into boobs, breasts, tits, jugs, etc., pick your favorite terms. During my first read, the author's own experience where she describes taking her breasts for one last swim before her mastectomy really hit me emotionally. I did not expect to get so choked up right out of the gate.
Chapter 1: Sex Workers. That anecdote about how one sex worker was arrested during a sting but not until after the cop got his massage and happy ending made me so mad. Not surprised, mind, just angry about the blatant exploitation. Your tax dollars at work, folks. The range of people she interviewed for this chapter, and how they feel about their work, was really interesting. The big takeaway here was, "if some of us aren't allowed to sell our bodies, none of us really own or control our bodies," which is important to remember in... these times. My perception is the feminist movement has become much more inclusive of sex worker rights over the years, so this message seemed an obvious one to me, but that could be a product of the people and ideas and media[1] I engage with, and not something a more mainstream audience has accepted yet. Thinking of cheerleading as sex work is also not something I had previously considered, and now I can't un-see it (I do not watch a lot of sports, shockingly). I would have welcomed a couple more sentences on that topic, but that's otherwise a whole book unto itself, no doubt.
[1] For example, Thornton refers in an author's note to San Francisco's The Lusty Lady, which unionized and later became employee-owned (in 2003, before closing in 2013) and I found myself nodding along, "oh yeah, I saw that documentary." That documentary being: Live Nude Girls Unite! (2000).
Chapter 2: Milk Bankers. This chapter seems to be one that rubbed a lot of other reviewers the wrong way. From my read, Thornton is explicit in stating she supports parental choice in whether or not or how long to breast feed, and enumerates the situations when breast feeding may not be possible. So this chapter came across to me as not someone criticizing or shaming other's choices or circumstances but as criticizing the systemic forces that prevent parents from having a real choice. Such as: access to and affordability of donated breast milk; actual, meaningful, paid parental leave; availability of spaces at work to pump; the limitations of WIC benefits, being not enough to actually feed an infant; infant formula being produced by for-profit corporations; the propping up of heavily-subsidized agribusinesses; and so on. My opinion is these are valid critiques and if we as a society claim to care about children and families and so forth, we should be taking a multi-pronged approach to address every one of these issues, otherwise what kind of "choice" are we asking people to make? Maybe that message didn't come across clearly, or people are feeling sensitive because of all the shaming that parents especially get from all directions, but I think instead of shaming anyone, or feeling ashamed (I know I can't tell people how to feel), re-direct that as anger at a system that is so clearly exploitative, would be my humble suggestion.
Chapter 3: Plastic Surgeons. This chapter was interesting in a "plastic surgeons sure are odd creatures" sort of way. I appreciated (I think it was Dr. Chang--one of the perils of audiobooks is I don't retain names and am unable to verify spellings, so I apologize for any errors) the doctor who was at least self-aware enough to recognize her own anti-fat biases, she's on a journey. Other things that stood out to me were 1) the over- vs. under- the pectoral muscle augmentation 2) the doctor who was using fat to produce a more "natural" shape and texture and that doesn't need to be replaced every 10-15 years like silicone implants and 3) the typically male doctors who place the nipples too high because they like the look of it but the patients do not. Again, not surprised about that at all, just smh.
Chapter 4: Bra Designers. Any time I learn anything about the fashion industry, my mind gets blown. The amount of thought that goes into designing stuff I never think about is staggering. At least in the best case--if you aren't thinking about it, the designers did something right. But if you're noticing something, it's usually because something isn't working. And the number of bras I've had that didn't work? So many. They're 100% right about customer loyalty; when you find one that works it's nice to just come back to what you know. The unknown is such a risk. This chapter did make me wonder a bit whether some product placement was at work here, calling out Old Navy and Third Love by name. Like did they have any editorial influence in how their brands were portrayed?
Chapter 5: Witches. By the time I got to this chapter, I had run out of mental steam both times I read this book, to be honest. That, and this chapter is a bit woo-y, which I don't go for. I support you if that's your thing, it's just not mine. I did appreciate where she talked about the importance of rituals as "participatory theater" that is useful as a form of creative expression and community-building, or something along those lines, as it gave me a new way to think about these types of practices where maybe you yourself don't believe in it but it can still have value.
Overall, I think the interviewees who participated in this book had some fascinating things to say, though Thornton just kind of lets them talk, and that she doesn't jump in to dissect or challenge some of the things they say I can see how that might rub some readers the wrong way. There were a few moments where I thought, "huh, that's an interesting opinion you just had," but it didn't bother me that she generally just let people express themselves without judgment. It would be really interesting to see what bits of their conversations ended up getting cut. Other critiques called Thornton "TERF-y," and while I acknowledge I may be oblivious sometimes, her language--and interviewees--were inclusive of trans people, so I didn't get that impression from my readings (or the above podcast interview, as additional context). There were a couple of awkward phrases, but on balance I'm not sure I agree with leveling such a heavy accusation and casting any stones, so to speak. I'm looking forward to discussing with the BC, at any rate!
So, I really liked this when I first read it a couple of months ago, but then one of my book clubs picked it to read and because it was a 'just for fun read' back in February, I was doing a jigsaw puzzle while I listened to it and didn't so much pay attention quite enough to have a thoughtful discussion about it, so I felt like I needed to re-read it and jot down some thoughts for future me.
After a second read, I do still really like it. I also read some of the other reviews, and other readers brought up some fair points, not all of which align with my reading experience, but overall this book gave me a lot to think about and I think will make for an interesting book club discussion.
The introduction sets up the exploration into boobs, breasts, tits, jugs, etc., pick your favorite terms. During my first read, the author's own experience where she describes taking her breasts for one last swim before her mastectomy really hit me emotionally. I did not expect to get so choked up right out of the gate.
Chapter 1: Sex Workers. That anecdote about how one sex worker was arrested during a sting but not until after the cop got his massage and happy ending made me so mad. Not surprised, mind, just angry about the blatant exploitation. Your tax dollars at work, folks. The range of people she interviewed for this chapter, and how they feel about their work, was really interesting. The big takeaway here was, "if some of us aren't allowed to sell our bodies, none of us really own or control our bodies," which is important to remember in... these times. My perception is the feminist movement has become much more inclusive of sex worker rights over the years, so this message seemed an obvious one to me, but that could be a product of the people and ideas and media[1] I engage with, and not something a more mainstream audience has accepted yet. Thinking of cheerleading as sex work is also not something I had previously considered, and now I can't un-see it (I do not watch a lot of sports, shockingly). I would have welcomed a couple more sentences on that topic, but that's otherwise a whole book unto itself, no doubt.
[1] For example, Thornton refers in an author's note to San Francisco's The Lusty Lady, which unionized and later became employee-owned (in 2003, before closing in 2013) and I found myself nodding along, "oh yeah, I saw that documentary." That documentary being: Live Nude Girls Unite! (2000).
Chapter 2: Milk Bankers. This chapter seems to be one that rubbed a lot of other reviewers the wrong way. From my read, Thornton is explicit in stating she supports parental choice in whether or not or how long to breast feed, and enumerates the situations when breast feeding may not be possible. So this chapter came across to me as not someone criticizing or shaming other's choices or circumstances but as criticizing the systemic forces that prevent parents from having a real choice. Such as: access to and affordability of donated breast milk; actual, meaningful, paid parental leave; availability of spaces at work to pump; the limitations of WIC benefits, being not enough to actually feed an infant; infant formula being produced by for-profit corporations; the propping up of heavily-subsidized agribusinesses; and so on. My opinion is these are valid critiques and if we as a society claim to care about children and families and so forth, we should be taking a multi-pronged approach to address every one of these issues, otherwise what kind of "choice" are we asking people to make? Maybe that message didn't come across clearly, or people are feeling sensitive because of all the shaming that parents especially get from all directions, but I think instead of shaming anyone, or feeling ashamed (I know I can't tell people how to feel), re-direct that as anger at a system that is so clearly exploitative, would be my humble suggestion.
Chapter 3: Plastic Surgeons. This chapter was interesting in a "plastic surgeons sure are odd creatures" sort of way. I appreciated (I think it was Dr. Chang--one of the perils of audiobooks is I don't retain names and am unable to verify spellings, so I apologize for any errors) the doctor who was at least self-aware enough to recognize her own anti-fat biases, she's on a journey. Other things that stood out to me were 1) the over- vs. under- the pectoral muscle augmentation 2) the doctor who was using fat to produce a more "natural" shape and texture and that doesn't need to be replaced every 10-15 years like silicone implants and 3) the typically male doctors who place the nipples too high because they like the look of it but the patients do not. Again, not surprised about that at all, just smh.
Chapter 4: Bra Designers. Any time I learn anything about the fashion industry, my mind gets blown. The amount of thought that goes into designing stuff I never think about is staggering. At least in the best case--if you aren't thinking about it, the designers did something right. But if you're noticing something, it's usually because something isn't working. And the number of bras I've had that didn't work? So many. They're 100% right about customer loyalty; when you find one that works it's nice to just come back to what you know. The unknown is such a risk. This chapter did make me wonder a bit whether some product placement was at work here, calling out Old Navy and Third Love by name. Like did they have any editorial influence in how their brands were portrayed?
Chapter 5: Witches. By the time I got to this chapter, I had run out of mental steam both times I read this book, to be honest. That, and this chapter is a bit woo-y, which I don't go for. I support you if that's your thing, it's just not mine. I did appreciate where she talked about the importance of rituals as "participatory theater" that is useful as a form of creative expression and community-building, or something along those lines, as it gave me a new way to think about these types of practices where maybe you yourself don't believe in it but it can still have value.
Overall, I think the interviewees who participated in this book had some fascinating things to say, though Thornton just kind of lets them talk, and that she doesn't jump in to dissect or challenge some of the things they say I can see how that might rub some readers the wrong way. There were a few moments where I thought, "huh, that's an interesting opinion you just had," but it didn't bother me that she generally just let people express themselves without judgment. It would be really interesting to see what bits of their conversations ended up getting cut. Other critiques called Thornton "TERF-y," and while I acknowledge I may be oblivious sometimes, her language--and interviewees--were inclusive of trans people, so I didn't get that impression from my readings (or the above podcast interview, as additional context). There were a couple of awkward phrases, but on balance I'm not sure I agree with leveling such a heavy accusation and casting any stones, so to speak. I'm looking forward to discussing with the BC, at any rate!
Read
November 7, 2024Fascinating read. There’s some good in here and some things to definitely sit on. I found the chest reconstruction chapter to be of particular interest, both in letting women alter their chests in a way that feels empowering and confidence enhancing as well as due to my line of work.
I struggle with the breast feeding (chest feeding) chapter. There is a separate debate to be had about the authors exclusion of using the term chest feeding for inclusivity, but I also struggle with the breast is best argument. I preface this by noting that I have not had a child so I have not personally had to consider the options for nourishing a child but I do think that some of the arguments that were very anti formula (including recommending WIC no longer supply formula to low income mothers and children) seems like harmful rhetoric.
All that being said, this was a timely point in history to read this in light of the recent election. It’s important to read, to consider viewpoints and to challenge yourself. It’s important to educate yourself. Being a woman is hard, perhaps now more than ever in the light of fear over the uncertainty of our future. But I’m left with the sentiment that I am proud of my chest, I am proud of my femininity, and I will keep fighting the good fight for my freedoms and autonomy.
P.S. there was a lot of great feminist history explained in this (including the right for women to be bare chested as well as the history of the right to wear a swimming suit and end of the corset era)
I struggle with the breast feeding (chest feeding) chapter. There is a separate debate to be had about the authors exclusion of using the term chest feeding for inclusivity, but I also struggle with the breast is best argument. I preface this by noting that I have not had a child so I have not personally had to consider the options for nourishing a child but I do think that some of the arguments that were very anti formula (including recommending WIC no longer supply formula to low income mothers and children) seems like harmful rhetoric.
All that being said, this was a timely point in history to read this in light of the recent election. It’s important to read, to consider viewpoints and to challenge yourself. It’s important to educate yourself. Being a woman is hard, perhaps now more than ever in the light of fear over the uncertainty of our future. But I’m left with the sentiment that I am proud of my chest, I am proud of my femininity, and I will keep fighting the good fight for my freedoms and autonomy.
P.S. there was a lot of great feminist history explained in this (including the right for women to be bare chested as well as the history of the right to wear a swimming suit and end of the corset era)
April 8, 2025
Sarah Thornton gifts another wonderful ethnography that is highly readable and accessible to the average reader. I had a great deal of fun reading this work and I think the best way to surmise my thoughts is to express what a dear friend said after I communicated my experience reading this book, “we should embrace thinking about things that, for whatever reason, we aren’t normally required to think about. Taking joy in learning about tits in a non-objectifying and inclusive space is a necessary part of experiencing and participating in women’s liberation and queer joy.”
From my very particular perspective I’ll say that I learned a lot, had my mind opened, and enjoyed every second. I can only assume individuals with different identities and bodies will have varying perspectives. Along with books like “the Ethical Slut”, “Tits Up” is a piece I would designate ‘required reading’ for everyone, most especially cis-men and heteronormative folks (let’s embrace how much we have to learn).
I hope you read this book and I’m quite certain you will enjoy it. It’s high time we celebrate the top half of women’s bodies in all their power and glory from a non-male and inclusive perspective. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.
From my very particular perspective I’ll say that I learned a lot, had my mind opened, and enjoyed every second. I can only assume individuals with different identities and bodies will have varying perspectives. Along with books like “the Ethical Slut”, “Tits Up” is a piece I would designate ‘required reading’ for everyone, most especially cis-men and heteronormative folks (let’s embrace how much we have to learn).
I hope you read this book and I’m quite certain you will enjoy it. It’s high time we celebrate the top half of women’s bodies in all their power and glory from a non-male and inclusive perspective. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.
September 20, 2025
I honestly thought this had a lot of revelatory info in it, and it is never boring! I’m sure there are conversations to be had about some of the subtopics within and i look forward to having those conversations.
Read
October 2, 2024What I liked:
• The title (and the historical background of the phrase in both American and British cultures).
• All the facts and perspectives I learned about boobs from sex workers, medical professionals, mothers, witches, and more who were interviewed by the author.
• Listening to this via audiobook, so it felt like a podcast about tits.
• The author’s occasional play on words. (If I wrote a book about boobs, I would absolutely do the same, sorry.)
• A critical perspective on the portrayal, role, and influence of breasts in societies (both past and present).
What I didn’t like:
• Some of the author’s takes. My feminism doesn’t look like hers in many ways, but I found it interesting to listen to her thought process even if I didn’t agree.
• While there’s a variety of perspectives and interviewees, the rhetoric is largely cis-centric. Transness and gender nonconformity are definitely part of the convo, but then there will be a sentence a couple mins later where I’m like, “Um???”
• Selfishly wanted more content in the plastic surgery chapter about breast reductions. It focused largely (no pun intended) on breast implants.
TLDR: It's interesting, and I think if you’re intrigued, pick it up, but it’s not up there on my great feminist texts list.
• The title (and the historical background of the phrase in both American and British cultures).
• All the facts and perspectives I learned about boobs from sex workers, medical professionals, mothers, witches, and more who were interviewed by the author.
• Listening to this via audiobook, so it felt like a podcast about tits.
• The author’s occasional play on words. (If I wrote a book about boobs, I would absolutely do the same, sorry.)
• A critical perspective on the portrayal, role, and influence of breasts in societies (both past and present).
What I didn’t like:
• Some of the author’s takes. My feminism doesn’t look like hers in many ways, but I found it interesting to listen to her thought process even if I didn’t agree.
• While there’s a variety of perspectives and interviewees, the rhetoric is largely cis-centric. Transness and gender nonconformity are definitely part of the convo, but then there will be a sentence a couple mins later where I’m like, “Um???”
• Selfishly wanted more content in the plastic surgery chapter about breast reductions. It focused largely (no pun intended) on breast implants.
TLDR: It's interesting, and I think if you’re intrigued, pick it up, but it’s not up there on my great feminist texts list.
August 16, 2024
This was less of a sociological investigation into boobs and more of short anecdotes that weren’t really backed up by research. I was flabbergasted when the author promoted the idea that formula shouldn’t be covered by WIC.
August 24, 2025
DNF. Are we not done shaming women who don't breastfeed for whatever reason? Barf.
A ranked list of choices for feeding your child? Get a life, psycho. How women choose to feed their children is morally neutral.
Straight up trash.
A ranked list of choices for feeding your child? Get a life, psycho. How women choose to feed their children is morally neutral.
Straight up trash.
December 21, 2025
3.25 rounded down
I thought this was an interesting exploration of breasts and their cultural, biological, and social significance. The choice of chapters/"groups" to interview around this topic were interesting and covered a broad spectrum, which I appreciated. The author's approach of letting the people she's interviewing speak for themselves wasn't necessarily novel, but I can understand why many reviewers were rubbed the wrong way by some of the opinions -- I personally wasn't bothered and TBH a lot of the criticism I've read seems like people taking things for more personally than what I felt was reflected in the text, but YMMV. I didn't always personally resonate with the writer's tone/style, which felt a little more flippant and pop-sciencey than I tend to prefer these days, but overall I appreciated that this book was unapologetically about woman and breasts, and I found it very interesting to explore a topic that is frustrating still quite taboo.
I thought this was an interesting exploration of breasts and their cultural, biological, and social significance. The choice of chapters/"groups" to interview around this topic were interesting and covered a broad spectrum, which I appreciated. The author's approach of letting the people she's interviewing speak for themselves wasn't necessarily novel, but I can understand why many reviewers were rubbed the wrong way by some of the opinions -- I personally wasn't bothered and TBH a lot of the criticism I've read seems like people taking things for more personally than what I felt was reflected in the text, but YMMV. I didn't always personally resonate with the writer's tone/style, which felt a little more flippant and pop-sciencey than I tend to prefer these days, but overall I appreciated that this book was unapologetically about woman and breasts, and I found it very interesting to explore a topic that is frustrating still quite taboo.
October 25, 2024
This book presented itself to me while I was in the middle of a gender panic, so I took it on as a reflection on breasts and femininity in relation to my experience of gender queerness. That's the perspective I consumed this book from.
Tits Up was much more trans inclusive than I expected it to be. I think my favorite part was the introduction, which was full of reflection on internal experiences of gender and how bodies do or don't reflect that. I also got a lot out of the chapters about lactation, surgery, and bras. The chapters about sex work and witches fell pretty flat for me. 3 chapters out of 5 hit, so this book earns 3 stars.
idk I'm still panicking though. But maybe a little more connected to my chest than I was when I started?
Tits Up was much more trans inclusive than I expected it to be. I think my favorite part was the introduction, which was full of reflection on internal experiences of gender and how bodies do or don't reflect that. I also got a lot out of the chapters about lactation, surgery, and bras. The chapters about sex work and witches fell pretty flat for me. 3 chapters out of 5 hit, so this book earns 3 stars.
idk I'm still panicking though. But maybe a little more connected to my chest than I was when I started?
May 28, 2024
This was fascinating!!! And incredibly thought provoking!!
August 17, 2024
This was so interesting. I couldn't put it down.
February 11, 2025
This was sooooo interesting. The best chapter for me was the spirituality one, but also was obsessed with the sex worker chapter. Made me feel like I was back in college studying for my Gender Studies minor.
May 13, 2025
While this book is really fascinating in the subject area I found some chapters lacking details of facts needed to understand the whole context of this book. Otherwise interesting read
July 11, 2024
This book had a lot of potential to be a great book and I did learn lots of cool facts and history in it. HOWEVER, the second chapter on milk banks absolutely ruined the book for me and there was no bouncing back from it.
What upset me most was the author being bothered by the term “chestfeeding” and not using the word “mother” around breastfeeding and the author was using a lot of TERF rhetoric which is not the vibe.
And she was emphasizing the importance of the term “birth justice” over “reproductive justice” which completely disrespects the reproductive justice movement since a tenet of repressive justice surrounds birth and raising children in safe and healthy environments. It just felt so disrespectful to the reproductive justice movement and the Black feminists who founded this movement.
Lastly, the end of this chapter that discusses WIC and how formula is covered under it made me lose my marbles. There was an actual discussion around creating a movement to have formula not covered under WIC so that it will force more breastfeeding to occur. This entire section was wild and just really put down formula even though baby formula is literally life saving and so important?? And it invalidates parents who can’t breastfeed and just completely ignores other systemic factors that make it difficult for people to breastfeed.
So overall, it was just so many terrible takes after another and it really ruined the book for me.
What upset me most was the author being bothered by the term “chestfeeding” and not using the word “mother” around breastfeeding and the author was using a lot of TERF rhetoric which is not the vibe.
And she was emphasizing the importance of the term “birth justice” over “reproductive justice” which completely disrespects the reproductive justice movement since a tenet of repressive justice surrounds birth and raising children in safe and healthy environments. It just felt so disrespectful to the reproductive justice movement and the Black feminists who founded this movement.
Lastly, the end of this chapter that discusses WIC and how formula is covered under it made me lose my marbles. There was an actual discussion around creating a movement to have formula not covered under WIC so that it will force more breastfeeding to occur. This entire section was wild and just really put down formula even though baby formula is literally life saving and so important?? And it invalidates parents who can’t breastfeed and just completely ignores other systemic factors that make it difficult for people to breastfeed.
So overall, it was just so many terrible takes after another and it really ruined the book for me.
August 2, 2025
DNF in the prologue... yikes.
She lost me at relating her double mastectomy to gender affirming care and the Trans community.
Body dysmorphia is a thing. Being born a biological woman, feeling like a woman, and then having your breasts removed and reconstructed - while absolutely traumatic - is not the same in any way to gender affirming care. I appreciate her desire to connect and relate to a community, but language is important, and we can do harm if we aren't careful to protect others' space.
Gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions “designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity” when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth. The interventions help transgender people align various aspects of their lives — emotional, interpersonal, and biological — with their gender identity. As noted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), that identity can run anywhere along a continuum that includes man, woman, a combination of those, neither of those, and fluid.
I can't take this book seriously when this discrepancy is in the prologue. What else is misrepresented in this book that I may not be aware of to take as truth? This is non-fiction/resource material, and it definitely should have been edited better.
She lost me at relating her double mastectomy to gender affirming care and the Trans community.
Body dysmorphia is a thing. Being born a biological woman, feeling like a woman, and then having your breasts removed and reconstructed - while absolutely traumatic - is not the same in any way to gender affirming care. I appreciate her desire to connect and relate to a community, but language is important, and we can do harm if we aren't careful to protect others' space.
Gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions “designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity” when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth. The interventions help transgender people align various aspects of their lives — emotional, interpersonal, and biological — with their gender identity. As noted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), that identity can run anywhere along a continuum that includes man, woman, a combination of those, neither of those, and fluid.
I can't take this book seriously when this discrepancy is in the prologue. What else is misrepresented in this book that I may not be aware of to take as truth? This is non-fiction/resource material, and it definitely should have been edited better.
November 21, 2024
I had a lot of issues with this book!
I don’t think interviewing surgeons in the OR is appropriate, surely your questions can wait. I found that whole chapter weird and dehumanizing to the poor woman being operated on, I hope she agreed to having the author in the room. I personally did not need to hear about what parts of her look like “Canadian bacon”
The author seemed to have had her own narrative and exclusively interviewed people who agreed with her, not a single interesting opinion was offered.
I feel like this book took a taboo subject and made it even more taboo. The word tits now gross me out.
I don’t think interviewing surgeons in the OR is appropriate, surely your questions can wait. I found that whole chapter weird and dehumanizing to the poor woman being operated on, I hope she agreed to having the author in the room. I personally did not need to hear about what parts of her look like “Canadian bacon”
The author seemed to have had her own narrative and exclusively interviewed people who agreed with her, not a single interesting opinion was offered.
I feel like this book took a taboo subject and made it even more taboo. The word tits now gross me out.
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