Breastfeeding is a natural biological function, but is there a time and a place for it? Nearly 75 percent of American mothers breastfeed their babies, but the issue of nursing in public remains controversial, as it raises the difficult question of how much exposure is too much. Babies get hungry even in public places, so what's a mother to do?
Please select the category that most closely reflects your concern about this content,
so that we can review it and determine whether it violates Civility 101 or isn't
appropriate for some other reason.
Abusing this feature is also a violation of Civility 101.
Explanation:
Biweekly updates on new debates and experts
Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
© 2008 Opposing Views, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Opposing Views, Inc. is not responsible for the content posted on this website. Please view full disclaimer under Terms
Should Women Breastfeed in Public?
Wow... I'm gonna get chewed out for this one...
Ok, I voted 'No', women should not breast feed in public areas.
Yet, I STRONGLY support breast feeding in general.
Why do I have such an unusual stance? Especially being male as many men find the entire process "arousing" or interesting.
I do not. I find the entire process very... very... obnoxious. It's not something I prefer to see in public, much like I don't like seeing public displays of affection, and other unnecessarily public exposures that are more appropriate for a private setting.
If they wish to cover the process with a towel, shroud, or retreat to a more private setting, great! Please do and if you do, I strongly encourage you to feed your child naturally!
However some of us don't like to see it. I'm sorry for that.
- wonka
April 19, 2009 11:18PM
Reply to this Recommend (2)
Side: No
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
There's lots of things I don't like either
But to say a women feeding her kid is "obnoxious" is absurd. I'd find the screaming, hungry kid to be more obnoxious honestly.
Seriously, it's not like a women is jumping up and down yelling "Look at me!" Most of the time there sitting down. (It's more comfortable that way.)
How about summer time. Put a cover over the kids while it 90+ degrees out? Is that fair? Would you like your head in a blanket while it's that hot?
Is it really so hard to not look?
I don't like looking at fat men in speedos. Guess what, I don't go up to them, call them obnoxious, and tell them to cover up. I simply look away at something more pleasing. And it doesn't ruin my day in the least. I don't feel the need to make a stand on the subject (I'm not making a stand now, just using it as an example) .
No ones telling you to sit and stare. And surely no one is telling you to get aroused by it either. (I find that idea a little disturbing but who am I to judge what turns a person on?)
You say you strongly support it, but only as long as you don't ever have to see it. That does not show support.
If you were married and your wife wanted to fully breast feed, would you send her from the room to do it in private so you wouldn't have to see it? Would you not take her to restaurants as long as she was breast feeding ?If it was over 90 degrees out would you demand that your child be covered just so he could eat?
If you would, and say you care that much about other peoples feelings. then how about the feelings of the breastfeeding mom ?
- Uzma
April 23, 2009 1:43PM
Reply to this Recommend (2)
Side: Yes
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
way too defensive...
He only admitted that he doesn't like seeing us. You did the same in saying that fat men in speedos is gross...
He can't help the way he feels. He even added to the end of his comment that women can still do it. It just gives him the willies.
- userk
June 25, 2009 2:12PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: Uncommitted
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
wow
that is very close minded. im sure you dont mind looking at women's bodies in general, im sure you spend a lot of time staring at women and enjoying yourself. but its not ok for a women to breastfeed in public? should the mother stay home for the first 1-2 years and not leave the house because you dont want to see her performing a natural feeding technique used by all mammals? if you dont like to see it then dont look. would you ask every person who holds hands or kisses or performs your version of PDA to stop? if so then what makes this a free country?
how about, if you dont like it, then DONT LOOK.
- skowalsky
June 1, 2009 10:08PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: Yes
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.
Yes, but the question is "should" they.
Are you saying they should not? Does that mean that they should be subjected to indecency laws?
Why is the process obnoxious? Perhaps an overt pda might be offensive to someone who is uncomfortable with natural human behavior. Perhaps your personal preferences are to not see individuals exposing their bodies. What I don't understand is how you take your personal preferences and translate that to what people should or should not do.
An individual who drops his pants in a shopping mall does so with the intention of impacting others. It is an act intended to offend others and arouse himself. That is an assault, and he should be cited accordingly.
An individual who is clutching a companion in a lengthy embrace typically has no intention of impacting others.
Similarly, an individual who is breast-feeding is simply feeding her child.
There's a serious disconnect stemming from our Protestant roots in this country. A man on the beach may walk around without a shirt on and create no sensation of any kind, whereas a woman may do the same thing and receive a public citation.
An agoraphobic would prefer that when she leaves the house, no one else was out and about that day. It would be preposterous that because she finds being in crowds of people a noxious experience, people should be required to stay home until crowds slim.
Your problem with breast-feeding is an as-yet unjustified one, and therefore it is categorized as a personal issue. Personal issues should be addressed personally. The agoraphobe should seek help for her condition.
- mike
June 25, 2009 3:04PM
Reply to this Recommend (0)
Side: Uncommitted
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.