It's not even that society has changed THAT much. A lot of mothers breastfeed their children and some, for one or the other reason, don't. It was much the same before formula was even invented, though the alternative back then were wet nurses. The only thing that really changed is the amount of bitter, polarized discussion about it, with the internet providing a platform where the critical mass for a neverending discussion is easily gathered. It is fed by mothers that need to pretend to be uber-mothers so they can feel better about their own parenting skills when their colicky baby has kept them awake night after night for months and they are on their wit's end, and by mothers that made a choice they secretly regret after becoming more informed, or that weren't able to choose and need to lift their conscience by adamantly defending their way. Most mothers go along doing what they think is best and leave other mothers and their choices be their problem.

Not really. He's just repeating what he's heard. Which, shame on whoever he heard that from because formula isn't bad. In some cases, it's actually much better than breast milk. Whoever said those things is the kind of person I hate. They judge complete strangers for simply trying to ensure their child is fed.

Formula isn't bad and sometimes a life saver. Breastmilk is more awesome in most cases, though I fully admit I'm biased because my SIL is a nursing consultant and an MD. Which is why I breastfed my sons. If, for whatever reason, you chose to follow another route, that's fine too, as long as your kids didn't go hungry.