Breastfeeding in Public

Paul Osborn wrote:

The actress Maggie Gyllenhaal has begun to receive criticism after being photographed breastfeeding her daughter in park in NYC.

Has the photographer been criticised for not being more discreet? That seems to be the real problem here.

Just because it's natural doesn't make it right. It's rude and inconsiderate to be that obvious in public. I have no problem discreetly breast-feeding...but come on.

americans are halerious. where I am from we wouldnt think twice about breast feeding in public. For some reason breasts in america are PURELY sexual objects, whereby any form of nudity is deemed socially inappropriate.

Nice!!! wrote:

Just because it's natural doesn't make it right. It's rude and inconsiderate to be that obvious in public. I have no problem discreetly breast-feeding...but come on.

Rude and inconsiderate to whom? This is pathetic. She's feeding her baby, big deal.

Like the majority of responders thus far, I see no problem with breast feeding in public. That said, it seems to be an issue that is unnecessarily polarizing, much like other topics regarding childrearing (spanking, watching television, etc). If you support it, fine, but a lot of people who do seem to look down on those who bottle feed as bad mothers.

Personally I feel the backlash against bottle feeding (or rise in support for breastfeeding, depending on how you look at it), is indicative of a larger cultural phenomenon that stresses "natural" and distrusts anything manufactured or produced by the scientific community specifically. This includes the bizarre and still marginal but growing outcry against immunizations.

I've got this problem where the dead skin on my feet rub off... I could do that in public but I opt not to because I know it would make poeple uncomfortable... just because something is legal does not mean it isn't polite.

........ wrote:

I've got this problem where the dead skin on my feet rub off... I could do that in public but I opt not to because I know it would make poeple uncomfortable... just because something is legal does not mean it isn't polite.

I need to trim my nose hairs. I am going to go do that out in the middle of the mall.

wtf usa? wrote:

americans are halerious. where I am from we wouldnt think twice about breast feeding in public. For some reason breasts in america are PURELY sexual objects, whereby any form of nudity is deemed socially inappropriate.

Having sex is just as natural as breast feeding a baby. You had to do the sex part of come up with this baby in the first place. Should we allow people to have sex in public? Something tells me your answer would be: "You Americans are so prudish, of course sex should be allowed in public."

We frown on people taking a piss in public but say a word against some woman breastfeeding and you open yourself up to all sorts of criticism.

Nice!!! wrote:

wtf usa? wrote:

americans are halerious. where I am from we wouldnt think twice about breast feeding in public. For some reason breasts in america are PURELY sexual objects, whereby any form of nudity is deemed socially inappropriate.

Having sex is just as natural as breast feeding a baby. You had to do the sex part of come up with this baby in the first place. Should we allow people to have sex in public? Something tells me your answer would be: "You Americans are so prudish, of course sex should be allowed in public."

Funny thanks for that one. Death is a natural act too. I think we should get all the people dieing in hospitals out and make them do that in public.

But pissing isn't nearly as natural as breastfeeding. F***ing retarded americans, why can't everybody be European?

Derek wrote:

Rude and inconsiderate to whom? This is pathetic. She's feeding her baby, big deal.

Rude and inconsiderate to whom? This is pathetic. So I'm walking around the highschool girls with my schlong hanging out. Big deal.

Kele wrote:

But pissing isn't nearly as natural as breastfeeding.

LOL!

Other than the emotional argument that says, 'of course we should allow mother's to breastfeed,' once you try and argue it logically you come to the realization there is no rational basis behind it. Of course a lack of logic still won't stop pro-breastfeeders from trying to justify it.

This whole thing is getting a bit skewed here. The real point is do you really mind seeing a naked breast? It might be argued that the adult male is jealous of the new arrival in the fact that it must now share.

Ever wonder why polar bears eat their young? Its not hunger, it breast jealousy!

Should boys ages 5 to 13 be subjected to naked breasts? It's the U.S. Face it this isn't Europe and nor do we want to be.

I disagee. Their primary reason is to get men to stare at you. If you do not believe me then why do women wear sexy clothes to show them off while wearing the most uncomfortable bra on the planet to squish them together? The real pourpose is to attract the opposite sex. Milking a baby is secondary.

Snoochie Boochie wrote:

This whole thing is getting a bit skewed here. The real point is do you really mind seeing a naked breast? It might be argued that the adult male is jealous of the new arrival in the fact that it must now share.

It might also be argued that the majority of women in the world are not nearly as attractive as Maggie Gyllenhal and nobody wants to see any more of an ugly chick than they have to.

If Marisa Miller wants to breastfeed in public I'm all for it. But if I need a guideline and we all know society loves rules, then keep your teats in your shirt until you get the bathroom. It's not like the baby cant wait 30 seconds while you walk there

It's fine as long as I'm allowed to stare. The woman can't breastfeed in public and then get angry when guys stop to look.