By: Catherine Anne Alipio
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has sparked controversy over an interview she did with Harper's Bazaar UK. In the September issue of the magazine, Bundchen states that a worldwide law should be passed to require all mothers to breastfeed their babies. She mentions that many people in the US don't believe in breastfeeding and goes on to say, "Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?"
Once Gisele Bundchen's breastfeeding comments were made public, she was criticized for her insensitive remarks, which forced Bundchen to take to her blog to post a public apology. On Monday evening, Bundchen apologized about her comments in Harper's Bazaar UK, stating "My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law."
While I'm sure most would agree that it is the personal belief and decision of the mother to decide whether or not to breastfeed, I think Bundchen's comments were so controversial not because of her stance but because she gave such an opposing statement to mothers who didn't share her view. Declaring that breastfeeding should be a manner of the law is much more than just stating an opinion. As a new mother of a baby boy this past December, Gisele Bundchen may claim that she never meant breastfeeding had anything to do with law, however, she mentioned it in her interview, and is only backing away from her previous comments after controversy exploded.
This isn't the first time Bundchen has angered parents with her comments. Back in January of 2007, the supermodel from Brazil claimed that the fashion industry should not be blamed or held responsible for anorexia. Instead, she said, "the parents are responsible, not fashion." Following the death of a 21-yearold Brazilian model, anorexia had become a highly talked about issue in the fashion industry and the country of Brazil. Bundchen told Brazil's O Globo newspaper that it was because of her strong family base that she never suffered from problems like anorexia.
Bundchen further told the O Globo newspaper that it's normal to be thin in fashion, and that some people
were just born with the right genes to be in fashion. She also continued on to say that, even though thin is the standard for models, it's not a good generalization to think that all models have a problem with anorexia.
Her comments seemed insensitive to those who have struggled with anorexia and the families who have experience with it. It left many angry and resentful toward the "genetically perfect" supermodel who has admitted to being naturally thin her entire life. Many didn't like her putting sole blame on parents and families as the reason why daughters become anorexic. Many felt it was a combination of reasons why some turn to eating disorders like anorexia, and the fashion industry should be held accountable.
From Gisele Bundchen's previous controversial comments to the present day's, I think it's safe to say she will not be affected in any negative way. After her views on anorexia came to light, Bundchen still continued on with her career and is still the highest-paid fashion model today. I think, if anything, Bundchen should try to learn from her past interview mistakes by keeping her thoughts to herself, to avoid having her foot stuck in her mouth again, and do what she does best: model.
Source: NY Daily News: Gisele Bundchen responds to controversy over her breastfeeding comments & People: Gisele Bundchen Blames Models' Families for Anorexia
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