My wife would get the occasional glare whenever she needed to breastfeed in public but that was easily handled by her angry gorilla-of-a-husband flipping off said glarer (besides, it was fun).
I even had an acquaintance (who shall remain nameless) admit that he had a problem with women breastfeeding in public and they should go to the bathroom to keep people like him from feeling uncomfortable. Let's just say this guy didn't get much action in the girlfriend department and had other more pressing issues (namely finding a brain).
But this acquaintance did state a predominant sentiment that I witnessed in the corporate world. My boss from three years ago chose to breastfeed which meant she had to find time throughout her day to go to the only room the company would make available to her to pump... which was the bathroom. I can remember her uttering under her breath several times, "I wonder how many Bridgestone/Firestone executives eat their lunches in the bathroom?"
Madonna/Whore Complex
That's right. It all relates back to our twisted thinking about women that has led us to taking issue with a normal bodily function such as breast feeding and turning it into a perverted act. We want women to be whores in the bedroom but hide away (their breasts) and be virginal otherwise. Despite the fact that our society markets cleavage to sell everything from orange juice to satellite dishes.
There is one undisputed fact...
BREASTS ARE FOR NURSING BABIES!
And since babies make up part of our society... they need to eat... and yes, sometimes that is in public!
So this is directed to you guys out there who think women should go to the bathroom to "whip out a boob to feed their kid":
- Get over it!
- If you tried to get over it and can't then you need to get some counseling (unresolved Oedipal complex maybe?)
- If the first two suggestions don't help then maybe you should start eating your meals in public bathrooms
Posts
Right on.
ReplyDeleteLOL - Excellent! There is even a new commercial out where this guy is eating while sitting in a bathroom stall. I don't know who made it but it is a potent visual image.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that this is one of the best posts I've ever read regarding breastfeeding! BRAVO!! I found you through Milliner's place.. I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks for all the great feedback.
ReplyDeleteI just think this is a big issue that fathers (real men) should support their wives by expressing themselves.
How incredibly short-sighted can our society be? How hard is it to put yourself in a nursing mother's shoes?
Unbelievable.
Just wait until this hits the carnival, you will have women lining up to say thank you!
ReplyDelete**Loud applause from Washington state**
ReplyDeleteHh
The whole breast-feeding in public issue is one of my HUGE issues. I think women should be able to breast-feed wherever they want! You said it all perfectly!!
ReplyDeletePeople are so mean. Someone said something to one of my friends about her breastfeeding in Her daughter is autistic and was hungry literally every 30 minutes, sometimes she nursed for comfort. My friend told them this, and that she couldn't very well stay home all the time.
The person actually told her that her that this was probably because she was doing something wrong as a parent!
ARGH!
My momma made sure we knew two things growing up: 1) how to swim and B) how to count.
ReplyDeleteNo wait.
The second thing was continuing the family tradition of sarcasm. In this case, since drowning was not involved, I might have come back with:
"What makes you think your parents got it right?"
I know. I'm silly.
Been there - done that. Thanks for making me laugh so hard!
ReplyDeleteSEE? I _told_ you that you needed to be part of Kim's Change of Shift.
ReplyDeleteHh :)
Excellent, especialy coming from the male perspective. Very well stated!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% wholeheartedly with you.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think if you're going to be breastfeeding while you're interviewing a potential new teacher at your private school, the very least polite thing to do is grab a blanket and cover the breast that's not currently in use, instead of letting it all hang out.
Yes, this is based on an experience I personally had. I didn't get the job, and frankly, I didn't want it after that. There are some things you should never know, such as what your principal looks like topless.
Ah, Dear Man!
ReplyDeleteWe over at www.SisterhoodSix.com would love to use your post for our carnival of motherhood on breastfeeding challenges.
May we? Hannah from Milliner's Dream clued me in to your indisputable coolness.
:)
Happy to have found you! Keep up the good work!
Louisa
Sure. Please check your carnival email inbox.
ReplyDeleteNeat!
Carnival is up over at www.sisterhoodsix.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Louisa
I just found your post from the Carnival.... Thanks for the laugh! As a (formerly) nursing mother, I can tell you it makes such a big difference to have a supportive partner.
ReplyDelete