How Long Is “Normal”? – Why Female Bodies Are Constantly Judged
- Oh Yes Baby Yes
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 17
When the Female Body Becomes a Public Debate
A recent article in 20 Minuten has sparked discussion: actress Rumer Willis is being criticized for still breastfeeding her three-year-old daughter.
Reactions range from support to strong criticism. Many comments revolve around one central question: “Is this still normal?”
But this question is often the wrong starting point.
Who Decides What Is “Normal”?
The female body is rarely viewed neutrally. It is judged, commented on, compared — and often corrected: seen as too emotional, then again as having too little or too much desire, as too strong or too weak, too early or too late.
These judgments change depending on the context – but they never really stop.
What is often forgotten: “Normal” is not a medical term – it is a social construct.
Breastfeeding Is Just One Example
The current discussion around breastfeeding reflects a familiar pattern:
A natural bodily process is publicly evaluated – not primarily based on medical knowledge, but on expectations.
From a medical perspective, however, the situation is clear:
There is no clearly defined limit for “too long” breastfeeding. What matters is whether the situation feels right for both mother and child.
Even in seemingly everyday topics like underwear, we see how strongly myths shape our perception of the body: https://www.ohyesbabyyes.ch/en/post/are-thongs-really-as-bad-as-their-reputation
And this is where the focus shifts: away from “right or wrong” – toward “what feels right.”
The Pattern Appears Everywhere
What happens in the breastfeeding debate also appears in many other areas:
Cycle & PMS→ “That’s not normal – being this emotional”
Why these reactions are often completely natural , and what is happening in the body, is explained here: https://www.ohyesbabyyes.ch/en/post/pms-symptoms-causes-what-helps
Sexuality → “Too much / too little desire”
Intimate care → “You should do this differently”
Body image → “This is how a body should look”
The female body is rarely simply experienced —it is filtered through layers of expectation and judgment.
What This Does to Us
Constant evaluation has real consequences:
insecurity in one’s own body
doubt about one’s own feelings
the sense of “not being right”
pressure to adapt
And often, an internal conflict arises:
Am I really feeling this, or should I feel something else?
A Different Perspective: Body Over Judgment
What if we shifted the focus?
Not:→ Is this normal?
But instead:→ How does this feel for me?
This shift in perspective is essential — especially in topics such as:
the menstrual cycle
sexuality
intimacy
body awareness
Because the body does not function according to social expectations, but according to biological and individual processes.
Medical Perspective vs. Social Opinion
This discussion also highlights an important difference:
Medical perspective→ differentiated, individual, evidence-based
Public opinion→ emotional, normative, often generalized
These perspectives are often mixed – creating confusion.
Conclusion
The real question is often not whether something is “normal.”
The deeper question is:
Why do we feel such a strong need to define it as normal?
The female body is not a project to be optimized. It is a system to be understood.
And sometimes, that begins with a simple step:
Less judgment. More awareness.
Learn More About the Discussion
You can read the full article here:
Questions About Your Body, Cycle, or Intimacy?
Individual consultation can help create clarity – without judgment, without pressure.
confidential · evidence-based · in Zurich or online
Comments