Hoops wrote:You can let this thread die!! We need to set the record for the longest running thread on the most ridiculous subject.
Wrong. The most ridiculous subject would be me with scat being number two ;)
I don't think public breastfeeding is a ridiculous subject. It's one of those thing our culture needs to get over.
I thought we had. Being just barely out of the breast feeding stage of life (not my own, of course) I don't recall this ever being a problem or even a topic of discussion. I was seeing breast feeding every where I went and never thought a thing of it.
When I was younger and attending a slew of Churches, I noticed that in new age-type congregations that breast feeding lacked any of the hidden or covered up taboos of either the Mormon or other more conservatively behaved Churches. This undoubtedly provided more freedom to the mothers (as well as an eyeful to guys like myself). More openness for breastfeeding mothers is probably good for the babies.
Hoops wrote:I thought we had. Being just barely out of the breast feeding stage of life (not my own, of course) I don't recall this ever being a problem or even a topic of discussion. I was seeing breast feeding every where I went and never thought a thing of it.
I suppose you are lucky. Breastfeeding is still an uncomfortable thing for me mostly because I don't know how I'm supposed to react. I'm afraid of looking in the direction lest I be seen as a perv. Furthermore, there are plenty of people who think that breastfeeding should not be done in public which is why America has had cases of women nursing in fast food joints being asked to go to the restroom. I think the cultural taboo needs to change such that those who ask mothers to nurse in the restroom are very few and in fact embarassed to even think of making such a request. If we're lucky, such may indeed be the case save in a few rare instances which we then hear about in the news.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy. eritis sicut dii I support NCMO
Hoops wrote:I thought we had. Being just barely out of the breast feeding stage of life (not my own, of course) I don't recall this ever being a problem or even a topic of discussion. I was seeing breast feeding every where I went and never thought a thing of it.
I suppose you are lucky. Breastfeeding is still an uncomfortable thing for me mostly because I don't know how I'm supposed to react. I'm afraid of looking in the direction lest I be seen as a perv. Furthermore, there are plenty of people who think that breastfeeding should not be done in public which is why America has had cases of women nursing in fast food joints being asked to go to the restroom. I think the cultural taboo needs to change such that those who ask mothers to nurse in the restroom are very few and in fact embarassed to even think of making such a request. If we're lucky, such may indeed be the case save in a few rare instances which we then hear about in the news.
I guess I'm out of the loop, or maybe too much in the loop. Or, more probably, I am too much of an ogre that these things never really bothered me. I would often walk right up to a woman feeding her child and coo and all that to the child. I just never really thought anything of it. Am I much less refined than I currently think I am?
If I were ever going to have a child (moot at this point), I would feed it from the breast in public. But, I can't, so I won't, so...something, something...
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
Hoops wrote:I thought we had. Being just barely out of the breast feeding stage of life (not my own, of course) I don't recall this ever being a problem or even a topic of discussion. I was seeing breast feeding every where I went and never thought a thing of it.
I suppose you are lucky. Breastfeeding is still an uncomfortable thing for me mostly because I don't know how I'm supposed to react. I'm afraid of looking in the direction lest I be seen as a perv. Furthermore, there are plenty of people who think that breastfeeding should not be done in public which is why America has had cases of women nursing in fast food joints being asked to go to the restroom. I think the cultural taboo needs to change such that those who ask mothers to nurse in the restroom are very few and in fact embarassed to even think of making such a request. If we're lucky, such may indeed be the case save in a few rare instances which we then hear about in the news.
I guess I'm out of the loop, or maybe too much in the loop. Or, more probably, I am too much of an ogre that these things never really bothered me. I would often walk right up to a woman feeding her child and coo and all that to the child. I just never really thought anything of it. Am I much less refined than I currently think I am?
You're just fine, Hoops. That's what I wanted men and women to do when I nursed my babies - just treat me normally. It wouldn't have bothered me if they saw a bit of my breast at all, but it did bother me when they avoided speaking to me or spoke to me while averting their eyes. I do not think men are perverted for wanting to see women's breasts, I think they're just men. So a glance my direction while I fed my babies didn't offend me. It was better than being shunned or avoided, for sure. But leering is never alright. Don't leer. ;)
Actually, this reminds me of when my mother brought my second brother home form the hospital. She sat down in an easy chair and got ready to breast feed him. First brother, about 5 at the time, was fascinated by the new baby, so all over him. When mom pulled her breast out and pushed the nipple toward the new baby, first brother went absolutely white and yelled, "You're not gonna feed him that are you???"
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
Good grief, you see more of my breasts in my bikini then you would have when I breastfed.
I breastfed in restaurants (I'll be DAMNED if I'm gonna sit in a yucky public toilet while I should be eating) and have done it pretty much everywhere else. I was discreet and yet I'm sure there were some peekaboo moments.
I'm always flashing in public too because of my kids. My kids yank my skirts/dresses up and yank my tops down all the time in public anyway. I suppose anyone that has a problem with it needs to grow up.
KimberlyAnn wrote:You're just fine, Hoops. That's what I wanted men and women to do when I nursed my babies - just treat me normally. It wouldn't have bothered me if they saw a bit of my breast at all, but it did bother me when they avoided speaking to me or spoke to me while averting their eyes. I do not think men are perverted for wanting to see women's breasts, I think they're just men. So a glance my direction while I fed my babies didn't offend me. It was better than being shunned or avoided, for sure. But leering is never alright. Don't leer. ;)
It would be nice for me if there were a way to tell what the woman wants or expects from behavior. Somehow I think asking is rude. If everyone wished to be treated as you do, I'd be great with that. Perhaps I simply shouldn't worry about being viewed as a perv. if a women is publicly nursing. After all, if she's that worried about it then why would she be doing it in public? Still, I'm only trying to figure out what we as a society agree is appropriate in such circumstances and I feel that it is not as well-defined as I would like.
That's General Leo. He could be my friend if he weren't my enemy. eritis sicut dii I support NCMO