AAP Report, Mommy-Shaming At Its Worst

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder refers to a constellation of disorders resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol, like birth defects and neurological and behavioral problems. On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics released its report focusing on recognizing, diagnosing and treating FASD and its economic effects.

But media reports have seized on its main statement— which said no amount of alcohol was considered safe during pregnancy — to renew an old ‘Mommy Wars’ debate about the dangers of light drinking during pregnancy. So we’re back to talking whether pregnant women should be shamed for having a half a glass of wine every now and then rather than emphasizing the obvious dangers of heavier drinking and working to alleviate the circumstances that lead to it, writes Emily Oster, Associate Professor of Economics at Brown University and author of Expecting Better.

Read more at TIME