The article presents a reflective narrative of a woman's relationship with her breasts, spanning her adolescent years through a double mastectomy. Discussing the evolving perceptions of women's bodies, she highlights how cultural references influenced her understanding of femininity and sexuality. Initially prim and conservative, the writer's perspective shifts during her university years in Montreal, allowing her to embrace her femininity. The piece contrasts societal expectations with personal identity, showcasing the intertwined themes of empowerment and objectification that define her journey with her breasts.
My breasts were real, and they were spectacular...a double mastectomy gives you license to say breast over and over again...without the usual consequences.
We were in late-20th-century America...that taught me that women's bodies were objects of desire, and jokes, and danger.
I understood that my young breasts could be problematic, so I practised self-defence by staying buttoned-up.
In Montreal, I began to explore the possibilities that my breasts had to offer...I started wearing what was known as a skank tank.
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