Should breastfeeding be allowed in public?
Daily Vidette Editorial Board
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Viewpoint
As human beings, we all share the common bond that we were brought into the world by a biological mother. While we were not all raised by the woman who birthed us, many of our mothers have something in common beyond the basic similarity all human beings share.
Although most mothers share the feeling of unconditional love they have for their children, there is another likeness they share. This likeness can be found in the age long debate all expecting mothers face.
No, not the one that sparks controversy between political parties: the decision to breastfeed or to feed from a formula. Both choices have valid reasons behind them and both are healthy modes of feeding one's child. However, there is one issue that breastfeeding mothers must face that formula feeding mothers do not. Breastfeeding in public. The ongoing argument over whether or not it is an act of indecency to breastfeed in public can be a difficult issue for breastfeeding mothers to face. However, many seem to be rising up against those who feel breastfeeding should be confined to the home and other private places. In Phoenix, AZ a group of people demonstrated their support for breastfeeding in public outside a local Applebee's in response to a related incident that occurred at an Applebee's in Kentucky. Mothers protested the common request to cover up with a blanket while breastfeeding in public in that they believed their children should not have to eat under a blanket. According to CBS, Applebee's released the statement, "Our goal as restaurant operators is to provide a great dinning experience for all our guests. We ask that mothers who nurse their children in our restaurants, do so in a respectful manner."
While it is any restaurant's prerogative to please all their customers, they should keep in mind that if customers seem unappetitized by the display, they could try to simply look away from the mother feeding her child, as she probably does not want people watching her in the first place. True, one could argue that if a breastfeeding mother does not want people staring at her, then she should refrain from doing so in public. However, one fact that many people seem to be forgetting is that breastfeeding is a natural act. Although it does involve an exposed breast, there is nothing lewd, erotic or sexual about a mother feeding her child, using the most natural instrument she has been given.
Perhaps the best way to try to make all satisfied would be to come up with a compromise of some kind. People might not want to witness the intimate moment of a mother breastfeeding her child, but if they were more accepting of it, it may not seem as taboo. By the same token, women could be a little more discreet while breastfeeding, so as not to call attention to the act. Compromise cannot be that difficult, as half of us were breastfed, too.
Although most mothers share the feeling of unconditional love they have for their children, there is another likeness they share. This likeness can be found in the age long debate all expecting mothers face.
No, not the one that sparks controversy between political parties: the decision to breastfeed or to feed from a formula. Both choices have valid reasons behind them and both are healthy modes of feeding one's child. However, there is one issue that breastfeeding mothers must face that formula feeding mothers do not. Breastfeeding in public. The ongoing argument over whether or not it is an act of indecency to breastfeed in public can be a difficult issue for breastfeeding mothers to face. However, many seem to be rising up against those who feel breastfeeding should be confined to the home and other private places. In Phoenix, AZ a group of people demonstrated their support for breastfeeding in public outside a local Applebee's in response to a related incident that occurred at an Applebee's in Kentucky. Mothers protested the common request to cover up with a blanket while breastfeeding in public in that they believed their children should not have to eat under a blanket. According to CBS, Applebee's released the statement, "Our goal as restaurant operators is to provide a great dinning experience for all our guests. We ask that mothers who nurse their children in our restaurants, do so in a respectful manner."
While it is any restaurant's prerogative to please all their customers, they should keep in mind that if customers seem unappetitized by the display, they could try to simply look away from the mother feeding her child, as she probably does not want people watching her in the first place. True, one could argue that if a breastfeeding mother does not want people staring at her, then she should refrain from doing so in public. However, one fact that many people seem to be forgetting is that breastfeeding is a natural act. Although it does involve an exposed breast, there is nothing lewd, erotic or sexual about a mother feeding her child, using the most natural instrument she has been given.
Perhaps the best way to try to make all satisfied would be to come up with a compromise of some kind. People might not want to witness the intimate moment of a mother breastfeeding her child, but if they were more accepting of it, it may not seem as taboo. By the same token, women could be a little more discreet while breastfeeding, so as not to call attention to the act. Compromise cannot be that difficult, as half of us were breastfed, too.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
cynthia demery
posted 4/21/08 @ 11:44 AM CST
breastfeeding in public is okay no one else gones to the restroom to eat why should the babies
Janessa Blackmon
posted 4/22/08 @ 11:29 AM CST
my sister used to breast feed my niece every where she would go and no body would say anything because they all know that women breast feed their children it is natural and if you don't like it don't watch!!!
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