Female Gender Performativity Around Breastfeeding in Abusive Relationships

Abstract

Women living in abusive relationships who choose to breastfeed their infants may do so for many reasons: bonding, health benefits for the infant and themselves, economics, and so on. Along with these benefits they are also choosing to engage in an activity that is often perceived as deeply gender performative. This study examines the gender performativity through breastfeeding of mothers living with intimate partner violence (IPV) and the ways in which these mothers use breastfeeding successfully (and unsuccessfully) to achieve what Butler (2004) terms a “livable life.” Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with thirteen mothers who lived with abusive partners while breastfeeding. Content analysis was used to examine the women’s accounts for gender performativity around breastfeeding. Gender performativity was used by these mothers successfully and unsuccessfully to attempt to stem the violence and chaos in their relationships. Mothers attempted to fulfill traditional female roles to appease abusive partners, used breastfeeding to protect themselves and their infants, and also drew strength from family, friends and medical/support professionals by fulfilling the ‘good mother’ role through breastfeeding.