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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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October 8, 2005, 7:55 am PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: dawndaisy

Men can't sit in a restaurant without a shirt. Not everyone wants to see a woman with her breast exposed while they are trying to eat. It is all about respect. There is nothing wrong with feeding a baby in public or the closeness of the moment. If it is so close then the mother should cover it up and share the moment just with her child.
I have never seen a breastfeeding mother stand up, take off her shirt and bra and then plop back down and brestfeed.... in general woman are discreet because there really isn't a reason not to be.....it's quite easy to lift the corner of my shirt and breastfeed..............
 
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October 8, 2005, 7:58 am PDT

Our Society is at Blame

It really saddens me that so many people in the US have problems with women breastfeeding in public. This is not the case for other countries. I have seen other women in the NEWS breastfeeding while being interviewed showing much more breast than I've ever seen in a mall or restaurant here in the US. We have no problem with a Hooters billboard, Bob Barker's girls on the Price is Right, the girls on Charmed...the list goes on and on and on, yet we still compare a baby feeding at his mother's breast to sex and making out! You people are SICK! There is nothing sexual about breastfeeding a child! I'd also like to comment on the breast pump issue. It is not as simple as just pumping a quick bottle at home and going out. The type of breast pumps that make it quick and easy cost hundreds of dollars! An inexpensive hand pump is time consuming and tiring to get enough milk for an outing. Let's face it. Most mothers barely have time to shower and fix their hair before going out. So put them on a schedule??? Breastfeeding is not like bottle feeding. Babies do best when feeding on demand, and the schedule changes from day to day depending on growth spurts. It is not uncommon to have to breastfeed every hour when your baby is young. All along we thought it was men keeping us down...barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen! NO! It's you women who thing there is something BAD about feeding our babies what our bodies were maded to feed them who want us locked away in our homes afraid to come out and be HUMAN!!! I wish you people felt as strongly about the way our young girls are dressing like hookers as you do about a woman giving her dear baby the best nutrition available and living her life at the same time!!! You are the ones who are selfish. You are the ones who are ignorant. Not to mention you are sexually perverted to even compare it to a sexual act!!!
 
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October 8, 2005, 8:00 am PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: sammysmom

 I am not a mother myself but I believe that breakfeeding should be a private thing. I agree with the lady you had on the show that was against the breastfeeding in public. I do not care to see such things while I am trying to eat a quiet dinner, watch a movie or even just shopping. No matter what I may be doing it should not be done in public. It can be taken to another room to be done and the rest of us, no matter whether it bothers us or not, should not have to see it. As the one mother for the breakfeeding stated that it is a bonding moment for child and mother, well, by missing the "BONDING TIMES" in public is not going to make or break the relationship between mother and child. How insecure is she to even make that statement!! There are alot of other times and events for bonding they can do if that is needed. It doesn't matter if the mother is covered up or not, people are still aware of what the mother is doing. If the child is hungry then take it to another room. Our dinner, movie or whatever should not have to be spoiled because a mother needs to feed her child. If it interupts the mothers dinner or movie or whatever than maybe she needs to schedule the feedings alittle different or make sure the baby eats before she goes out. The lady that was for breastfeeding in public was very selfish. You can tell her children are probably very spoiled as well as her. She's a very self centered person not to care about others feelings of what SHE is doing in their presence!! That is no different than if someone was making out, having sex or even changing a baby's diaper in public. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT!!!!!! And it DOESN'T matter if we can turn our heads away or not! What a stupid remark that was!
 I hope you one day will be a mother and discover that  breastfeeding is a very unselfish act.  you are giving your body to your child so that they can grow and be healthy.  I think you will find that breastfeeding has nothing to do with a person being self centered nor would it be the reason for a child being " very spoiled".  I wonder if you can define spoiled.  I spoil my children daily with love and affection, nuturing, cuddles, love and affection.  I also teach them respect and manners, and also what is right and what is wrong.  I am constantly complimented on how lovely my son is and how wonderful it is that he is so caring and that he respects the people around him.  He is only three years and nine months old.  I am sure I will have the same comments about my daughter when she is older.  And wow, I have spoiled them both with breast milk whenever and whereever.  It is easy to see that you are not yet a mother with the comments "make sure" the child eats before going out and "schedule" feedings.  My sides are hurting from laughing at these comments.  I dont need to go into any more details with this one, you will find out for yourself one day.  Just keep in mind, you can go to dinner or a movie at your leisure.  Parents of young children dont always have that chance, please be a bit more tolerant  of mothers feeding in public - it may have been their only outing for the last month and it is better to satisfy the childs needs to allow everyone to enjoy their time out.   Just a last thought.  My daughters "schedule" - sleep for a while, wake up, feed for as long as it takes, have a nappy change, a small play and back off to sleep, known as the feed, play sleep routine.  This happens every four hours - 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.   Interrupt mothers dinner, most mothers of young children are lucky to have a sit down dinner, but you wouldnt have it any other way.   I hope you get to experience this one day.  Good luck
 
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October 8, 2005, 8:02 am PDT

well said

Quote From: smusail

It really bothers me that our society has double standards and how we use excuses to outcast other people's rights and beliefs.  

  

 We live in a day when it's ok to have a restaurant chain Hooters that do nothing but emphasize butts/breast and that's perfectly ok.  I keep hearing that it's not attractive as if a breastfeeding mom is trying to pick up someone.  There are a lot of unattractive things that we see out in public like belly rings, people being tatooed from head to toe, like people walking around with these half cut shirts exposing their midsections.  We see half naked women parading around and jirating at football games, basketball games in front of our children, but that is perfectly ok.  I see people kissing and fondling one another in public in front of children, but no one is trying to put a stop to this.  I see people smoking in restaurants, blowing their nose at the table and all sorts of other mess. If you allow your children to watch music videos on TV then a bare breast every now and then will not damage their psyche.  Why is it ok to watch music award shows where the dresses are down to the singer's belly button with half of her breast exposed be deemed sexy and a breastfeeding mom is told to go to the bathroom.  How is it attractive to watch a lap dance routine simulating a strip tease attractive, but not nursing your child. If you or your child watch CSI then a breastfeeding mom should be no problem.   

  

Who wants to feed their child in a nasty germ infested bathroom while people are taking a dump, spraying hair spray, throwing up or other gross things that go on in filthy public restrooms.  That's like asking a patron to take their plate in and eat in the restroom, all because you can see bare breast for all of 2 min. It's not like the baby is not a covering while nursing.   

  

I have tried to accomodate my older children by pumping and covering up, but it just does not work. I am a size F and it is hard to cover myself entirely, and when I can I pump, but there are some times when I just have to breast feed in public, and who wants to put a blanket on in 90-100 degree weather or who wants to sit in a car in hot or cold weather and take time away from a family outing. 

  

  Let's face it. How often does a nursing mom get to eat out anyway, and to have to leave just because a few hypocrites are uncomfortable it absurd.  When I can be discreet I am, but when I can't I will not.   

  

Breastfeeding is the most nutritious form of nurishment for a child it builds better immune systems, fights off more childhood illnesses, builds better  eye and brain function, and it this land where everybody elses agenda is in the open a breastfeeding mom has to be made to feel like and outcast.  

  

 My 2 year old goes around pretending to nurse her baby doll or tries to pump, which is what she should do when she becomes a mother, but my 15 year old has seen the reactions from others and claims she's never having children.  This is wrong, because in our disease infested society more mothers should breastfeed to ensure a better quality of health for their children, but our society with all of it's booty shaking and sex crazed TV shows that praise women for cheating on their husbands and lusting after naked gardeners has all of it's priorities in the right place making nursing mom's feel out of place and more a turning away from nursing just to fit in. Let's re-think the message we are sending out to breastfeeding mom's and young people who are considering breastfeeding. 

WOW! Very well said! 

 
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October 8, 2005, 8:03 am PDT

My Opinion

When it comes to breast feeding in public I feel a mother should feed her child when her child is hungry. I do however feel that a mother should not expose herself either. It's not necessary to show yourself. It's about nourishing your child and being able to bond with them at the same time,Not showing 1,000's of people that you have breast.  

  

On condoms in school I have a very strong opinion. I was 16 when I had my 1st child. I don't think I would have necessarily asked a guidance counselor for a condom if they had been available but maybe others would have. I feel very strongly that kids should be educated about sex and it's consequences, but encouraged to abstain! Educating the kids about sex is primarily the parents responsibility and it's definitely the parents responsibility to instill values in them. I speak openly with my children about anything that may arise in life. I have explained that there are ways of protecting themselves but the most important thing is to think about the consequences of your actions before you do something. I have asked them to have enough respect for themselves to not go against our belief to abstain until marriage (& learn from choices I made) but to think about how those choices will affect their child(ren). 

  

  

 
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October 8, 2005, 8:07 am PDT

look around

Quote From: nitehelen4

First of all, I wondered throughout the whole show if that woman has ever heard of a BREAST PUMP?????  If she is so determined to breastfeed in the first place, why doesn't she use a breast pump at home and then she can feed her child in public with a bottle of breast milk? Am I being unreasonable here? I agree with the other lady, I certainly don't want to see anybody's boobs and especially while I'm trying to eat dinner. It's just in poor taste.
the next time you are out for dinner... count how may women you see with exposed cleavage, or a short skirt. you are seeing alot more skin in an apparant and intentional public display then you will see when a mama bfs.oh, and try turniong on you television. again, lets count cleavage, references to breasts, thongs, pasties.... its a shame so many women have been brainwashed by society into thinking that breatfeeding is "in poor taste".
 
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October 8, 2005, 8:08 am PDT

Go Elsewhere?

Quote From: sammysmom

 I am not a mother myself but I believe that breakfeeding should be a private thing. I agree with the lady you had on the show that was against the breastfeeding in public. I do not care to see such things while I am trying to eat a quiet dinner, watch a movie or even just shopping. No matter what I may be doing it should not be done in public. It can be taken to another room to be done and the rest of us, no matter whether it bothers us or not, should not have to see it. As the one mother for the breakfeeding stated that it is a bonding moment for child and mother, well, by missing the "BONDING TIMES" in public is not going to make or break the relationship between mother and child. How insecure is she to even make that statement!! There are alot of other times and events for bonding they can do if that is needed. It doesn't matter if the mother is covered up or not, people are still aware of what the mother is doing. If the child is hungry then take it to another room. Our dinner, movie or whatever should not have to be spoiled because a mother needs to feed her child. If it interupts the mothers dinner or movie or whatever than maybe she needs to schedule the feedings alittle different or make sure the baby eats before she goes out. The lady that was for breastfeeding in public was very selfish. You can tell her children are probably very spoiled as well as her. She's a very self centered person not to care about others feelings of what SHE is doing in their presence!! That is no different than if someone was making out, having sex or even changing a baby's diaper in public. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT!!!!!! And it DOESN'T matter if we can turn our heads away or not! What a stupid remark that was!
And what are we to do with our other children when we go to another room? It is sad that those who chose not to breastfeed are so uncomfortable with mothers providing their children with superior nutrition and bonding.
 
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October 8, 2005, 8:09 am PDT

Breast feeding

I agree with those who have said breast feeding is okay in public as long as the mother is discreet.  When I was having my children 40 years ago, I breast fed in public but always made sure my breast and baby were covered by a blanket.  I started that way and never had a problem with anyone complaining nor did I ever have a problem with my child pulling the blanket off.  The only problem I had was in a family setting where my husband's grandmother was appalled at the thought that I would do this in front of male family members.  Out of respect for her, I went into a bedroom when the baby needed to be fed even though I didn't agree with her thinking.
 
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October 8, 2005, 8:09 am PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: familyof5

I a dad (married) with 3 young kids  Here's my take on these topics: 

  

Breastfeeding in Public:     My wife tried to breastfeed, but quit early because of the sleep deprivation.  I have a 2 month old, and it's hard enough to get out of the house.   No you should not flaunting your breasts in public, but raising kids is hard enough.  The breastfeeding mom should attempt to cover up, but having to go to the restroom to breastfeed is ridiculous.  I had the impression that this woman who was complaining had no kids and way too much free time.  I have far more serious issues and things to worry about. 

  

Condoms in Schools:         If they can be given out without promoting sex, great.  I wish more effort was spent on demonstating this.  A study from planned parenthood was quoted.   My concern is that that could be biased ,since planned parenthood strongly supports birth control and also abortion.  I wonder if they did the study with the intention of promoting their cause, or if they were legitimately trying to investigate this.  More details on this study and some other statistics from other groups would have had me more convinced. 

  

Discipling Other's Kids:    My 6 year old son is autistic, and I get lots of judgemental remarks.  This serves no purpose, and ignorance is no excuse.  I never get these remarks from the guy with 3 kids or someone knowledgeable on parenting.  It's always from someone with no kids by themselves or with friends.  It is especially annoying if I am actively doing something to correct the situation and someone still criticizes me.    

On the other hand, if I am chasing my daughter one way, and my son runs out into the parking lot, then it is acceptable to try to prevent him from doing so.  If my son is waiting in line and another kid cuts in front of him, I will stop that kid and tell him to go to the end of the line. 

  

I hear you on the sleep deprivation thing. I know all to well what that does to a person. After one week of no sleep whatsoever I let my husband & mom take over. After five weeks of my husband and mother getting sleep deprivation from night feedings, I decided to cosleep. Haven't lost a wink since. Congrats on your new baby! 

If your wife still wants to nurse you might look into relactation on www.promom.org or www.lalecheleague.org 

  

 
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October 8, 2005, 8:11 am PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: pumbaa7586

Why is using a breast pump not an option for mothers who are out with their children shopping, etc so that they'd have a bottle?  If it's the bonding they're after, it doesn't seem that too much bonding can be going on when the mom is holding baby to her breast while sacking produce and tossing soup cans in the cart.   

  

So you'd rather see a mom with a pump attatched to her breast than a child? 

  

If you've ever had a child who was confused by the changing of nipples from a breast to a bottle, you wouldn't be so quick to come up with this "solution."   

  

Yes, a lot of mothers DO use a breast pump, but if she's in the grocery store, and the child is hungry, and she doesn't have a bottle of expressed breast milk on hand (they DO go bad, you know.  it's not a can of pop, it's milk.) then what is she to do?  I promise you that more people are going to give her dirty looks for letting the baby cry so loudly than for being a good mother and feeding it. 

 
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