How Can Anyone Claim That Breastfeeding In Public Is Sexual?
January 30, 2010 by Guest Author
Filed under Breast Feeding Supplies
I witnessed my FIL’s wife breastfeeding my new baby sis in law, and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Then I started to think about how I always read online about how people think it’s disgusting or sexual, and I don’t get where that thought even comes from.
Because people have a hard time separating the sexual part of the breasts with the actual function and reason women even have breasts in the first place.
The reason they have a hard time with it is because the only time people see breasts is when it’s in a sexual context. In movies and TV shows…they’re shown as sexual things.
How often do you see the breasts being used for their actual purpose? I’m 35 and I can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve actually witnessed a woman breastfeeding. It’s simply just not seen.
So people only see the breasts as sexual, not a dual-purpose thing. If more women nursed in public, than this would not be the case. But the problem is that women feel a need to hide when they’re feeding their child. If they could get over that, then everyone else would get over their inability to seperate the sexual part from the functional part.
And it’s not just men, plenty of women feel this way too. And that’s why they don’t breastfeed, or they feel a need to hide it. Personally, I’ve seen more women repulsed by breastfeeding than men. I mean, just look at the answers to your question. One women says that while she has no problem with it, the breastfeeding mother should put a cover over it!
You don’t see anything while the baby is nursing! You see more from the woman walking by in a low-cut blouse than you do when a mother is nursing a baby. And again, putting a cover over it just reinforces the idea that breastfeeding is something that needs to be hidden. Women like her are just perpetuating the problem!!!
Most people have not had the experience of naturing a child or never been around the sight of a breast feeding mother, so its shocking to them and most men are just being perverts.
I thing though that mothers that are breast feeding should know that most people are not accustom to what they are seeing. There is nothing wrong at all about breast feeding in public. I just think that the mother should use a blanket to cover her self. Its out society and its natural for other to think badly or perverted when they are just all exposed to the public.
So i think that the mother, unless in their own home, should just use a blankee to cover herself and her baby. And also its a bonding and sacred thing for mother and baby, why would you want strangers sharing your bonding with your baby.
I’ve never been confronted with this ignorance in real life, it seems to be a phenomenon that exists mainly on Y!A and other corners of the internet. I’m pretty confident that none of the people here, and other forums, would ever have the audacity to actually tell a nursing mother to “put that thing away” or “that’s disgusting and molestation” or any other outlandish statement.
I think it’s wonderful and I do it frequently. I also get a mood boost when I see other women do it, especially the ones nursing older babies.
I would prefer to hear someone say it’s “gross” to breastfeed, rather than “it’s sexual,” or “breasts are for men to enjoy.” Both ways of thinking are whacked and idiotic, but at least when someone says it’s gross, they are not accusing every breastfeeding mother of being a pedophile.
I honestly have no idea where it comes from either. I remember once a male co-worker was telling a story about a well endowed woman he met at the gym. He kept saying her breasts were so large that they “looked like udders.” When I explained to him that breasts are in fact human udders, he was repulsed. Sadly it takes a certain level of maturity and intelligence to accept what breasts are for.
that thought comes from ignorant people. sadly, there’s plenty of them who have no idea what “boobies” are really for (breastfeeding) and think they only exist to provide some sexual need (just an added bonus.) anyone who thinks it is sexual is obviously disturbed (who else would think such a thing) and disgusting, well they has obviously never been to their local denny’s and see how some of the adults slurp their food. plus, anyone who gives you the bs answer about it being inappropriate should save their lip for the teeny bopper trolling the malls half naked!
kudos to your step mom for breastfeeding and double kudos for you in seeing what a beautiful act it truly is!
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it’s b/c they have the mind of an adolescent little boy and when they see a mom nursing, all they can think is OMG boobies, BOOBIES, BOOOOOOBIES!
It’s a big debate. But honestly it’s personal preference. Some people don’t mind it and others hate it and think it’s gross. Most of those people have never experienced breastfeeding before so they wouldn’t know the beauty in it. I don’t mind it. It’s mother-baby feeding time, same as giving a bottle. No biggie. I do think that mother’s should be ‘covered’ though because not everyone needs to see the boob out. LOL.
In my opinion it is not sexual and has nothing to do with sex but many consider it a private matter best done in private. Those who breastfeed in public when they don’t have to may be “showing off” ? or trying to start an argument or trying to start a controversy or prove a point or even, yes……even…. trying to be sexual
Awwwww that is sooo sweet! I nursed my daughter upto age 3 so it is heavenly to hear a non-breastfeeder ‘get’ what nursing is all about. People are just mean or ignorant or stupid whilst others have hang-ups over their own bodies.
I think its the most beautiful thing in the world when I see babies nursing and I can’t wait to do it again when I have another!
Again, thankyou for showing that there ARE sensible young people out there!
I got no idea. When I did a child care course, years ago, most of the women there thought that brest feeding past the age of 6 months was inappropriate because it was a bit sexual?!?! I didn’t get it, but the teacher seemed to agree! Really I got no idea what goes on in the mind of my own sex!
It comes from sick people who have nothing better to do but complain about everything to get attention.
Breastfeeding is 101% natural, and no one has any right to argue against it.
And your very right it is beautiful!
They are ignorant….And people who are under the impression that boobs were made for sex and not food….Society has made boobs into sexual objects so unfortunately we get close minded people who see it as some sort or perversion rather than what they are actually made for.
It’s due to ignorance from those who aren’t aware of why we were given breasts and also from disgusting perverts.
“I don’t get where that thought even comes from”…..
men…pure and simple lol!
most women dont cringe or think one sexual thought about breastfeeding, men on the other hand…..
These people would have been dead 1000 years ago.
It was the most beautiful thing I saw too … but the baby kept covering it up
just kidding … that’s an old one lol
A lot of people feel it’s too much like nudity.
Because the US is full of a bunch of Victorian prudes.
The only people who think this are terribly repressed women or boys who’ve yet to see a real live boobie.
It comes from the minds of close minded morons.
I have to disagree Rose..everyone gets very aroused watching Travis get breastfed in public..sorry for your lots.
They are uneducated fools
That is my explanation.
WHY CAN’T WE HAVE ASSFEEDING IN PUBLIC?