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Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

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Created on : Friday, September 30, 2005, 03:40:18 pm

Author : DrPhilBoard1

Dr. Phil and his guests strike up heated conversations as they debate the latest hot topics. Should women give up their right to breastfeed their babies in public so other people don't feel uncomfortable? Will passing out condoms in schools prevent unwanted pregnancies or just send the message to kids that it's OK to have sex? And, is it acceptable for others to discipline your kids if they see them acting out in public, or should they just mind their own business? Dr. Phil weighs in on these controversial subjects. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.

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eaglestuff

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

This resonse shows lack of understanding and forces your values on breastfeeding moms yet again

Quote From: tuckerfam7

I think that would be possible, if most breastfeeding moms forced our children to eat at our schedules. Let's suppose the mother has been out for hours with the baby. Running errands, paying bills, etc. etc. When exactly would be ok for them to stop and nurse that child? When would it NOT offend your senses on those kinds of days?

This would work if everyone chose to feed their child on a schedule. I choose to feed my son "on demand." That's a different topic, but suffice it to say with this method of feeding pre-planning does not always work. This opinion is also asking that I never am away from home for more than a couple of hours. That is rather unrealistic in this day and age.

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garrison

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

unattractive ?? That's NOT a reason!!

Quote From: jami_mama

I was so mad watching Dr. Phil today. The anti breastfeeding lady kept saying it's "unattractive" well, who cares if it's unattractive, ugly prople are unattractive, but we don't ask them to go eat in the bathroom. She also kept saying "Would you like it if had on low cut pants and bent over and my rear end was hanging out in your face?" Well, I don't what kind of women she's seen breastfeeding in public, but I personally have never pulled my breast out in someones face and popped my son on there. Even the least discreat women don't put there breast in someones face. Arrrrghh.

AMEN!!!

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heidibid

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

breastfeeding moms

okay i have two questions 1) was the woman on todays show breastfed as a baby?
and 2) what exactly are the breasts for? I mean there are two breasts, that produce milk. the milk is for the babies....the babies need to be fed. get with it people....THATS WHAT THEY ARE FOR!!!!! -a three time nursing in public-without a blanket-mom!

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bugbeemom

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

breastfeeding is A+!

I am nursing my 26 month old, and nurse in public. She hates covers, but I wear bigger shirts and am covered way more than most swimsuits!

I'll nurse my daughter in the bathroom when others eat their entrees in there!

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farmer123

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

breastfeeding in public

Quote From: mslb6514

How can it be offensive to feed your child? I see things everyday that offends me. I don't like it when i'm in a resturant and some person in my line of view is chewing with their mouth open. Can I make them go eat in the restroom? Why is it taboo to breastfeed your child in public, but women can walk around wearing clothes that show more of the breasts then breastfeeding does? Everyone has a choice. If you don't like what you see, then look away. If you don't want to see the mother breastfeeding her child in a resturant, then leave, don't try to make her leave. She is feeding her child, and her body will need the nourishment more then yours will. As for the condoms in school, just because they pass them out doesn't mean every child has to take them. If your child attends a school that passes them out, talk to you kids, and tell them not to take them. Having condoms in schools can help teenagers from getting STD's, and unwanted pregnancys. Not everyone will always agree on everything. But if having the condoms in schools will help some teenagers from catching a disease or having a baby that they cannot care for, then why is it bad? In todays world teenagers will have sex, whether adults like it or not (I don't approve of it, but it is a fact of life). Adults need to be the responsible ones and do what it takes to protect their kids. Teaching abstance is the place to start, but not everyone listens. And its better to take the extra steps to protect the kids then let them try to raise a baby with no knowledge of how to do it or worse, die from a disease.

I breastfed both of my boys until they were about 18 months old. I went everywhere you could possibly think of with them and fed on demand. I never had an issue about modesty because I don't believe it's appropriate to show your breasts in public under any circumstances. They were both very active and I'm sure they may have pulled that blanket down a time or two and given someone and eyefull, but I think if you're trying to be discreet then people are understanding for the most part.

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heatherp

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

Breastfeeding in public

I don't understand why this is such a problem with people. Breastfeeding is completely natural. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics a baby should be exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months of life, and breast fed until 2 yrs of age. I have a 7 1/2 month old daughter and breastfeed because I am doing what I believe is best for her. Do I breastfeed in public.....Yes! In order to keep your milk supply up you must continue to breastfeed because in order to produce enough milk you need to feed your baby.

Someone made a comment about how breastfeeding is not "lady like." This is difficult for me to understand because weren't we created with breasts to serve the purpose of feeding our babies? Breast milk is perfectly designed to meet the nutritional needs of our children. It also helps babies to develop strong immune systems along with numerous other things that scientists are only begining to discover.

I am a Registered Nurse and know the benefits of breastfeeding, that is why I chose to do it for my baby. I have never once had anyone give me a dirty look or tell me to leave because I was breastfeeding. I try to accomodate people by feeding her in the car before I go places so that she is not hungry, but if she wants it, I will give it to her. I do keep myself covered up with a blanket, but I refuse to go into a bathroom to feed my baby.....that is disgusting.....would you eat in a public bathroom....most people wouldn't.

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chel141

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: boxers1

Unfortunately ,children behaving badly in public is without a doubt on the increase. Also on the increase is parents who cannot or will not hold the child accountable. If the child is out in public I think I have a right to voice my opinion. I would not knock on someones door and tell them how to raise the child but when the childs behavior affects me personally then I am not going to ignore it. Many times I have encountered children racing through the isles,throwing balls crashing into whatever is in their path. There is no parent to speak to ,in that case I will speak to the child and tell him that is not acceptable behavior and to stop and go find his/her parent. If indeed the parent is present I'll ask him/her to help the child get control of himself.. Frankly I've gotten more positive responses from the children than from the parents. The child knows he/she is misbehaving as a rule. The parents almost always get defensive and allow the chiulds behavior to continue. I gave birth to 3 boys and I had 2 step children so I am not without some knowledge and experience as to how to raise a child.

OOOOHHHH, I so agree with you....unfortunately, my two year old has become one of those children! My older son is 11 years old and he was such an angel! Never misbehaved, so well mannered, I thought it had to do with my parenting skills, so when I had my 2nd son, I thought he would be the same! Boy,,,,,,,,,what can I say. Quite simply, we don't take him anywhere anymore. We have a sitter just to go grocery shopping! He is two and I am hoping I can get him back in public soon. We work on it daily and maybe someday he will behave again in public but we definately do not impose him on the public because he can be so insane......and it is not fair to others.

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m_yll_e

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

the problem with our society

Quote From: murphmax7

I was absolutely shocked that the "AGAINST public breastfeeding" guest on your show was so concerned about how "unattractive" and "not flattering" breastfeeding a baby is. I am breastfeeding my son and couldn't care whether or not it's attractive....... IT IS THE BEST NUTRITION AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILD!!! I can see that using a little discretion is appropriate, and I use a receiving blanket with my son, but to send us off to a bathroom stall?!? Someone needs to educate her on the facts of breastfeeding and teach her not to worry so much about what others are doing.

Unfortunately, the American society sexualizes the female body, especially breasts (child attached or not). I think that people are uncomfortable with public breastfeeding because it exposes a woman's breast, a thing thought to be sexual. Even though breastfeeding itself is not sexual, the breast is. Seeing an exposed breast in public (in this society anyway), regardless of the reason, is going to be viewed as sexual to a lot of people. Whether it's the desperate husband, the pervert, the teenage boy, or the angry wife that is disgusted that her husband is staring, people will look at your exposed breast and think about it sexually. There is no way around this, our society everyday objectifies and sexualizes women, and any nude part is sexual whether that is the reason for the exposure or not. I personally would always cover up in public because I would never want to know what strangers are thinking about my body. As a mother, it is easy to make the distinction between sexual and maternal, if I see a woman breastfeeding I am glad that her child is getting the best nutrients possible. However, if I am a teenage boy who is just starting to develop hormones, I see boob. That is just the way our society sets up males to react to women. All we can do as women is to raise our own children to be better, but we cannot change how strangers see us.

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motherfunk

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: preraph

I never saw one person breastfeeding in public in the UK while I was there, and I rarely saw people bring small children to nice restaurants. They still have some manners there.

This is a crock. Lots of people bf in public in the UK, and the main place the majority of people eat out is at the local pub. They have nice restaurants in England? Hmm. And yes, they do have manners there, because they could care less whether a woman bfs her kid in public. It's not even an issue.

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adwmustang

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October 7, 2005, 3:51 pm PDT

Breastfeeding In Public

This really is a shame that there has to be a debate over something as normal and natural as a mother feeding her child the way a child should be fed. Babies should be breastfed and there is no way to take your baby out and NOT have to feed it while you are gone, babies get hungry at random times and the MUST be fed, or else all you same inconsiderate people will be complaining about a crying baby! If you do not like to see a woman breastfeeding than you may use your right to look the other WAY!!!! You should NOT force your imature feelings onto a woman who is doing the right thing for her baby. If even one person weans her baby sooner than she would otherwise, or God forbid decide not to breastfeed at all because it may make someone uncomfortable it would be a true discrace. So please next time don't be so SELFISH and just turn away!

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