CNN.com - Lactivists: Where is it OK to breastfeed? - Jul 27, 2006
There's a big hooha going on about public breastfeeding. Over on Juli's 360 blog she very adamantly states her opinions on the subject. Juli, like other moms, takes the argument that breasts are first and foremost a body part meant for feeding, and not a sex object. I'm not going to argue with any of that. I agree. I won't even attempt to disagree.
Many women want it to be made a right or law that they should be allowed to breast feed in public. I do not agree. But before Juli blows a gasket, I'll explain further. Please breast feed your children! It is good and healthy for them. But as for your breasts, please, keep them covered. Yes, I think women should make personal effort to feed their children. But I don't think I should have to watch them do it. They can do it in a restaurant, bookstore, wherever, BUT KEEP'EM COVERED LADIES! And if your child doesn't like being covered up, go to a private place.
The only argument the "lactivists" ever make is that breasts are for feeding and are not a sexual object. Well, NOT TRUE, now is it? Whether or not breasts are sexual objects isn't really an argument. We all know that they are. And I don't think the lactivist lobby has the ability to reverse that way of thinking. And because of that, breasts are not meant for public display. (there's about 5 of you i could call out by name right now- don't make the comment i know you are thinking!) Please, it makes me uncomfortable every time some woman I don't know decides to start rearranging and popping things out. I don't need to see the breasts of every woman out there. Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing- for those intimately involved in it. It isn't a beautiful sight for the rest of us. Please, keep them covered and to yourself.
I don't know. I see it as changing a cultural norm. Your reaction is a cultural reaction...public breastfeeding is trying to change culture--but I see both sides.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't have a problem with public breastfeeding--I got used to it in Chile, and it still doesn't bug.
No gaskets blown, I promise. Everygirl is entitled to her own opinion. I just think it's a bit silly that we are the only creatures in the animal kingdom that objectify the mammary glands in that way. It's not like the guy lions are hanging out on the savannah ogling the lionesses, saying, "Rrr, check her out. Twelve teats, baby. That's hawt!"
ReplyDeleteI always made sure no one could see my goods when I nursed, but I never covered my girls with a blanket either. Would you like to eat while suffocating under a blanket? The funny thing is that women in Africa and South America, the ones lucky enough to walk around naked all day, probably see us all covered up and wonder how on earth we're able to feed our children.
Completely not related to this subject, sorry. I just have a question about the readability of your blog. I'm having a really hard time reading such little type, and changing the display size of the font on my browser's end doesn't actually change the size so that it's bigger and easier to read. Is that something hardwired into the blog? My poor fatigued eyes are having a really hard time. I have to squint right in the computer screen to read with your new design.
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