Breast Feeding At Mass

[PhuturePriest]

Men and women will always have opinions regardless of if it's to do with their sex because we're all human. :l

 

I had to google lactavist...

 

When my sister called me a lactavist, I had to ask her what it meant, and she made fun of me for it for a few minutes. :P

[CrossCuT]

But why should the mother care what others think when it has nothing to do with them?

 

No, I don't sympathize with people like that. I expect them to realize that a woman's body is not a sex object. Especially when feeding a child for heaven's sake. 

 

So no. No sympathy. Oh well if some people are uncomfortable. It says more about them than the mother. I feel uncomfortable when men sexualize every aspect of a woman's body and her identity, but no one gives a croutons about that. I feel uncomfortable when a woman can't even feed her freaking child without people worrying that a man will go "I'm horny lulz" which is actually really offensive to a man, because it turns them into horny dogs who only want sex, in addition to the woman being a sex object.

 

The way our culture has taught us to view women is wrong, and so things like this do bother me. And I stand by it. Sorry not sorry.

 

Im not a man, so I dont think the "Im horny lulz" example applies here. And besides, thats incredibly sexist too. To assume the only problem men can have with it is that they are horny? 

 

I do agree that culture has taught us and conditioned us in a way that is very limiting to women, but I dont see anyone saying that women should be able to dress scantily and that it is other peoples fault that they view that woman as a sex object. Im pretty sure everyone here is very much of the opinion that women should be modest in their dress right?

[PhuturePriest]

Im not a man, so I dont think the "Im horny lulz" example applies here. And besides, thats incredibly sexist too. To assume the only problem men can have with it is that they are horny? 

 

I do agree that culture has taught us and conditioned us in a way that is very limiting to women, but I dont see anyone saying that women should be able to dress scantily and that it is other peoples fault that they view that woman as a sex object. Im pretty sure everyone here is very much of the opinion that women should be modest in their dress right?

 

If the reason isn't that it excites a person sexually, then what is their reason for having a problem with breastfeeding in public?

[CrossCuT]

If the reason isn't that it excites a person sexually, then what is their reason for having a problem with breastfeeding in public?

 

Do you have a problem with someone urinating in public? 

[PhuturePriest]

Do you have a problem with someone urinating in public? 

 

To compare feeding a child with urinating is kind of ridiculous.

[southern california guy]

Do you have a problem with someone urinating in public?

I think that the two are drastically different things..

[CrossCuT]

To compare feeding a child with urinating is kind of ridiculous.

 

Im just trying to make a connection to what Im saying is all.

 

 

I believe women should be able to breastfeed where ever they want. Covered/uncovered i dont care.

But at the same time, I have found myself feeling uncomfortable upon seeing an uncovered breast. 

 

Thats all Im saying. 

 

 

What I dont agree with is that I am somehow a horny man for being uncomfortable? Im trying to understand why you guys seem to be extremely judgmental on anyone who might have the smallest inclination of discomfort in that situation.

 

Obviously the purpose of breastfeeding is not indented for sexual arousal. Neither is urination. But both are  biologically necessary and neither are meant for arousal. 

[PhuturePriest]

Im just trying to make a connection to what Im saying is all.

 

 

I believe women should be able to breastfeed where ever they want. Covered/uncovered i dont care.

But at the same time, I have found myself feeling uncomfortable upon seeing an uncovered breast. 

 

Thats all Im saying. 

 

 

What I dont agree with is that I am somehow a horny man for being uncomfortable? Im trying to understand why you guys seem to be extremely judgmental on anyone who might have the smallest inclination of discomfort in that situation.

 

Obviously the purpose of breastfeeding is not indented for sexual arousal. Neither is urination. But both are  biologically necessary and neither are meant for arousal. 

 

I understand that it makes you and others uncomfortable. But seeing as how you admit it's fine for women to breastfeed with or without a cover in public, I don't see what else you expect me or anyone else to say other than "Well, I guess that sucks." The more you're around something, the more comfortable it is for you. The more breastfeeding that goes on in public, the less weird it will be. The only way to solve this whole taboo with breastfeeding is to allow it to happen. So, I guess you and others who are unfortunately uncomfortable with it are just going to have to play through the pain until it's no longer an issue for you.

[CrossCuT]

I think that the two are drastically different things..

I think its different only because you want it to be different.

 

Both are biologically necessary and both require the use of body parts that are considered sexual therefore people are find it inappropriate when they are used, even in non sexual ways, in public.

 

Why should a man care that people look at him all horny when he pees in public? You have to pee! Its biologically necessary! Why should he care what other people think? He isnt trying to be rude or arouse all the horny women.

 

I understand that it makes you and others uncomfortable. But seeing as how you admit it's fine for women to breastfeed with or without a cover in public, I don't see what else you expect me or anyone else to say other than "Well, I guess that smells of elderberries." The more you're around something, the more comfortable it is for you. The more breastfeeding that goes on in public, the less weird it will be. The only way to solve this whole taboo with breastfeeding is to allow it to happen. So, I guess you and others who are unfortunately uncomfortable with it are just going to have to play through the pain until it's no longer an issue for you.

 

You havent been reading what Ive said very carefully. Im uncomfortable seeing boobs pop out. For me its a modestly thing I guess.

[CrossCuT]

Nevermind, I retract the urination example. I was discussing it with my bf and he made a good point...no other person is depending on your urination.

 

[PhuturePriest]

I think its different only because you want it to be different.

 

Both are biologically necessary and both require the use of body parts that are considered sexual therefore people are find it inappropriate when they are used, even in non sexual ways, in public.

 

Why should a man care that people look at him all horny when he pees in public? You have to pee! Its biologically necessary! Why should he care what other people think? He isnt trying to be rude or arouse all the horny women.

 

 

You havent been reading what Ive said very carefully. Im uncomfortable seeing boobs pop out. For me its a modestly thing I guess.

 

I'm aware that's why you're uncomfortable. I'm sorry it is. Life sucks sometimes, I guess. I don't know what you want me to say. It's a necessary thing, and many babies are freaked out by covers. You can't expect a mother to go into hiding when feeding her babies because her babies are freaked out by covers and people are freaked out by seeing her boobs.

[Lil Red]

it's just boobs. errrbody likes boobs. 

[CrossCuT]

I'm aware that's why you're uncomfortable. I'm sorry it is. Life smells of elderberries sometimes, I guess. I don't know what you want me to say. It's a necessary thing, and many babies are freaked out by covers. You can't expect a mother to go into hiding when feeding her babies because her babies are freaked out by covers and people are freaked out by seeing her boobs.

 

Im not saying anyone should go into hiding, thats silly!

 

I have no problem with any of it. If a boob gets flashed, it happens. If it makes me uncomfortable, Ill live. Im not asking anyone to change Im just saying it makes me uncomfortable and its not because Im a horny man.

 

The only part of this conversation that I didnt like was that people were extremely uncaring of anyone else. While I agree that women shouldnt have to worry about that stuff, we have to realize that we live in a community with other people. And even if you think its totally fine you have to be aware of others.

 

Just because you have the option of one path doesnt mean you have to talke it. If it would not be inconvenient for a mother to cover up or possibly breast feed in a discrete location, would it be a bad thing to have that as a viable option?

I fully understand that sometimes it is unavoidable. Baby needs to eat! But in the event that a more private location is available, would it be wrong to expect a mother to utilize it? Or does that go against the "shut up its ok" rule?

[CrossCuT]

it's just boobs. errrbody likes boobs. 

 

My family was visiting another family for the day and they had a newborn. The mother started breast feeding in the kitchen and didnt cover at all. She didnt even make the slightest attempt.

 

It was her home and I am in NO WAY saying she cant AT ALL (she can breast feed in her own home....its ok.) (Did I mention Im not telling anyone where they can and cant breastfeed?) but I just remember being really shocked. It probably had more to do with the fact Im not used to it. My mother hasnt had babies to breast feed in a LONG time...and Im just not used to walking into a kitchen and seeing a boob.

 

I think thats my problem. I just need to see more boobs.

[PhuturePriest]

Im not saying anyone should go into hiding, thats silly!

 

I have no problem with any of it. If a boob gets flashed, it happens. If it makes me uncomfortable, Ill live. Im not asking anyone to change Im just saying it makes me uncomfortable and its not because Im a horny man.

 

The only part of this conversation that I didnt like was that people were extremely uncaring of anyone else. While I agree that women shouldnt have to worry about that stuff, we have to realize that we live in a community with other people. And even if you think its totally fine you have to be aware of others.

 

Just because you have the option of one path doesnt mean you have to talke it. If it would not be inconvenient for a mother to cover up or possibly breast feed in a discrete location, would it be a bad thing to have that as a viable option?

I fully understand that sometimes it is unavoidable. Baby needs to eat! But in the event that a more private location is available, would it be wrong to expect a mother to utilize it? Or does that go against the "shut up its ok" rule?

 

I think this is the main problem that everyone runs into when they aren't parents, and I say that not being a parent myself. :P But my sister has a baby, and I'm amazed at just how busy she always is taking care of him and doing everything for him.

 

If a mother is more comfortable breastfeeding in private (Indeed, my cousin's wife doesn't like breastfeeding in public, even though she uses a cover), that's completely fine! But even if it is a viable option for every mother in a particular situation and place, I don't think expecting her to go and do it in private is good, because that's reaffirming the idea that breasts are sexual and should be kept private at every possible opportunity, and that breastfeeding is some secret shameful thing other people shouldn't have to suffer through being around.