I'm probably digging my own hole by stating this fact right off the bat, but here goes: I do not have children, therefore I have never breastfed. That being said, I must comment on how amazed I am at how many people on this message board, (AND the Dr. Phil show), are misconstruing the topic at hand. The arguements of the woman on the "Con" side of this debate (on the show)--and seemingly the arguments of women on the message board here-- are not AGAINST breastfeeding...they are against breastfeeding mothers' blatant disregard for everyone else around them. It is a given that breastfeeding is healthy, wholesome, nourishing, etc...for the baby. However, it is none of those things for anyone else with that image in their line of vision. Why, then, should everyone ELSE have to be the ones to "avert their eyes", "leave", "don't let it bother them", (and everything else that has been said to support your points)? Tell me: Is it easier for ONE woman to use a tad of discretion when suckling her child in public, or for EVERY OTHER PERSON to somehow change their opinions on what they feel is offensive?
The way I see it, there is no hassle involved in tossing a light blanket over your baby and the exposed breast (whether the "baby's head is covering most of it" or not). The other option, as mentioned by a few people in the message boards, is to kindly excuse yourself from the situation and go share that moment of mother-to-child nourishment in private.
I have not read a single message post that stated disagreement with the ACT of breastfeeding, so it is shocking to me that this many grown women can read that misinterpretation into the "Con" argument, simply to make the "Pro"'s seem more strong. There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding, (that anyone has mentioned anyway), so why is the debate at hand being twisted around into "people telling mothers not to feed their children"? Come on, now...that statement has NOT been made, and NO ONE is arguing that point, so please don't misread these people's opinions here. (And the person who went as far as to label passer-bys as "perverts"--that comment was both childish and immature, and I hope other people are more realistic in their side of the argument than you are.)
Without intending to offend, I gather that many people's views of breastfeeding are that it's only "beautiful" to the mother&child at hand. In other words, not a lot of people outside of that union and bond view it the same way as the breastfeeding mother herself.
Let's be honest: Breasts are a sexual body part. We're taught from the elementary-school age that when we go through puberty, women get their "boobies" and that "boys may try to touch them one day, but don't let them beacuse it leads to bad things". We're told from a VERY young age that breasts are one of our "private areas". Why, then, are breasts all-of-a-sudden deemed 'okay' for public viewing simply because there's a hungry child waiting in the stroller? That's the point that the people who are "anti-public breastfeeding"....they're not against the act of fulfilling the child's physical needs, they're simply against the blatant display of public indecency.
So, please put a stop to these ridiculous rants about how the women commenting on this message board are "anti-humanism", or whatever the insults were, and just try to see the point-of-view of anyone outside of your own flesh. All it takes is a bit of caring, respect, and a little tasteful discretion.
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.
