Breast feeding as a development issue : a case of modernization gone wrong

Abstract

Modernization theorists in the 1960's designed the theory with basic tenets that implied development and progress. Though their major focus was on economic growth, subsequent socio-cultural and political development was to follow. The implementation of policies, projects and programmes founded on this theory has been found wanting in a lot of instances. Modernization or development did not occur in some of these instances as was suggested, and in some instances, situations turned for the worse.

Just like other criticisms of modernization, this analysis questions the basic ideas of Modernization theory by focusing on a specific socio-cultural aspect, that is, breast feeding. This analysis uses information from the literature to examine whether modernization has indeed created progress or improvement in the area of infant nutrition, especially in developing countries.