Poll: Breastfeeding in public

[awesomeClaw]

Well, i agree with what others said.

If a women needs to feed her kid in public(If it´s private then she can whip out her boob as much as she likes), extract some milk into a bottle and do it like that.
If that´s not an option, do it somewhere private, like the bathroom or such. If that´s not an option, then fine, go ahead, do it in public, but try to be subtle and cover it up with a bit of cloth or the like.

Frankly, i´m offended by people who say "grow up". I´m personally not inconvenienced by a woman breastfeeding in public, like most swedes, i don´t give a fuck. But you know what? I´m inconvenienced and disgusted by insects and the like. Should i "grow up"? Should i "mature" and stop being annoyed? Because i can´t. So why should i expect anyone else to do so in another matter?

 

[Rylingo]

Has anyone died of second-hand smoking? I would like to know, never heard of anyone dieing of second-hand lung cancer or whatever.

Yes. Do a quick search and you'll find plenty of statistics associated with second hand smoke related deaths.

Just saying, when you're in a discussion, you're the one who usually gives the evidence, the discussion-er shouldn't have to. Just saying, not trying to sound pompous or anything.

But anyway, I've looked up a few sites, anything ranging from "3,000 people a year" to "53,000 a year" to "none a year, it's all bullshit you were told in grade school". You're thinking of my example as if people would be in a secluded room with only the smoker/breast-feeder, when it would be more likely to occur at an open park or non-conspicuously in a smallish restaurant. Regardless of whether or not second-hand smoking kills, I hope my original point came across.. People should enjoy their freedoms, but shouldn't be allowed to infringe on other people's rights of being comfortable. Just common courtesy, I think.

The problem with smoking is that people in general jump to either extreme making up figures to support their point.

The best source I could find was the "Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health" and they concluded that:
Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and, in those with long-term exposure, the increased risk is 20-30%.

I could do further searching if you really want, but honestly, id rather be lazy!

 

[Jumplion]

Has anyone died of second-hand smoking? I would like to know, never heard of anyone dieing of second-hand lung cancer or whatever.

Yes. Do a quick search and you'll find plenty of statistics associated with second hand smoke related deaths.

Just saying, when you're in a discussion, you're the one who usually gives the evidence, the discussion-er shouldn't have to. Just saying, not trying to sound pompous or anything.

But anyway, I've looked up a few sites, anything ranging from "3,000 people a year" to "53,000 a year" to "none a year, it's all bullshit you were told in grade school". You're thinking of my example as if people would be in a secluded room with only the smoker/breast-feeder, when it would be more likely to occur at an open park or non-conspicuously in a smallish restaurant. Regardless of whether or not second-hand smoking kills, I hope my original point came across.. People should enjoy their freedoms, but shouldn't be allowed to infringe on other people's rights of being comfortable. Just common courtesy, I think.

The problem with smoking is that people in general jump to either extreme making up figures to support their point.

The best source I could find was the "Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health" and they concluded that:
Exposure to second-hand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and, in those with long-term exposure, the increased risk is 20-30%.

I could do further searching if you really want, but honestly, id rather be lazy!

See, I wasn't talking about long-term exposure. You expose anyone to anything for a long time they're bound to get something from it. Unless you live in the world's smokiest city, I don't think it would matter much if the guy (or gal) lit one up next to you unless you politely ask them to snuff it out. Like I said, common courtesy.

 

[the_green_dragon]

Snip

Breastfeeding is legal, nay, protected by the law. (in most places, for places that are not, different story)

Your comparing setting off smoke bombs, flashing and playing stupidiy loud music are silly.
For one, the activities you are talking about are, for the most part, illegal. Public nusiance I think they fall under....

 

[Cyberwulf]

Dude. You have a neck. Turn it.

I do like the idea that expecting women to breastfeed in a germ-ridden toilet is perfectly reasonable, yet the reverse situation (changing a shitty nappy on a restaurant table) is greeted with disgust.

Of course what this is really about is the fact that there's a naked boob but it's Not For You, it's for Baby. And how dare there be tits that aren't there for men to ogle.

 

[fenrizz]

If the baby is hungry then it's hungry. Everyone should just get over it imo. It's really not that bad, it's not like you see anything anyways, Babies have big heads you see.

Quoted for truth.

What is the big deal?
It's not like you can see anything anyway.

 

[Cyberwulf]

I wonder to those who are fine with it. Is it ok for me to wolf call and hoot at her. If she does not care if she make other uncomfortable should I have to care about her wants.

Yeah I think that's the thing that gets to me. If you pull them out in public, you got to be prepared for some people (especially young boys) to be like "Wow! What the hell are those?!". It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

If they do it, I reserve the right to call my boys in and we can have a school circle pow-wow around her and watch intently. If she makes a fuss, it becomes indecent exposure and she goes to jail and we get a free show.

Yeah! Sexually harass those dumb bitches till they do what YOU want!

Are you serious?

 

[Flare Phoenix]

I wonder to those who are fine with it. Is it ok for me to wolf call and hoot at her. If she does not care if she make other uncomfortable should I have to care about her wants.

Yeah I think that's the thing that gets to me. If you pull them out in public, you got to be prepared for some people (especially young boys) to be like "Wow! What the hell are those?!". It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

If they do it, I reserve the right to call my boys in and we can have a school circle pow-wow around her and watch intently. If she makes a fuss, it becomes indecent exposure and she goes to jail and we get a free show.

Yeah! Sexually harass those dumb bitches till they do what YOU want!

Are you serious?

Better than making bogus claims of sexual harrassment in order to cover for the fact you have absolutely no valuable input in the matter.

 

[Cyberwulf]

I wonder to those who are fine with it. Is it ok for me to wolf call and hoot at her. If she does not care if she make other uncomfortable should I have to care about her wants.

Yeah I think that's the thing that gets to me. If you pull them out in public, you got to be prepared for some people (especially young boys) to be like "Wow! What the hell are those?!". It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

If they do it, I reserve the right to call my boys in and we can have a school circle pow-wow around her and watch intently. If she makes a fuss, it becomes indecent exposure and she goes to jail and we get a free show.

Yeah! Sexually harass those dumb bitches till they do what YOU want!

Are you serious?

Better than making bogus claims of sexual harrassment in order to cover for the fact you have absolutely no valuable input in the matter.

Getting your friends to surround a breastfeeding woman and stare at her is harassment. Wolfwhistling and hooting at a breastfeeding woman is harassment. The people who suggested doing so specifically stated they would do it with the intent to intimidate the woman. Which brings me back to a point I made just a few posts upthread - this is really about punishing women for daring to use their breasts for something other than male enjoyment.

If I made you uncomfortable by suggesting you're condoning sexist, intimidating behaviour - TOUGH SHIT. By the way, love this part of your post:

It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

That doesn't make you sound like a creeper at all.

 

[teisjm]

I really really couldn't care less, if the mothers wanna feed their babes they should, they should do it even if they don't want to, the little bugger needs to eat.

It should be illegal.
If you're going to pull out your breasts, I will pull out my penis.
I'm warning you.

I really fucking hope you don't get a baby to suck on it then

 

[minimacker]

Baby needs nutrition to develop properly. Breast milk is evolution's answer.

Suddenly, the big, bad government takes away that. Mother is forced to stay at home, in the couch instead of being at the local café, having some coffee with friends.

Does anyone see the issue here?

 

[similar.squirrel]

I couldn't care less. Natural selection has endowed us with the capability to avert our eyes. Being unable to control your kids in public, on the other hand.. That is unacceptable.

 

[Flare Phoenix]

I wonder to those who are fine with it. Is it ok for me to wolf call and hoot at her. If she does not care if she make other uncomfortable should I have to care about her wants.

Yeah I think that's the thing that gets to me. If you pull them out in public, you got to be prepared for some people (especially young boys) to be like "Wow! What the hell are those?!". It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

If they do it, I reserve the right to call my boys in and we can have a school circle pow-wow around her and watch intently. If she makes a fuss, it becomes indecent exposure and she goes to jail and we get a free show.

Yeah! Sexually harass those dumb bitches till they do what YOU want!

Are you serious?

Better than making bogus claims of sexual harrassment in order to cover for the fact you have absolutely no valuable input in the matter.

Getting your friends to surround a breastfeeding woman and stare at her is harassment. Wolfwhistling and hooting at a breastfeeding woman is harassment. The people who suggested doing so specifically stated they would do it with the intent to intimidate the woman. Which brings me back to a point I made just a few posts upthread - this is really about punishing women for daring to use their breasts for something other than male enjoyment.

If I made you uncomfortable by suggesting you're condoning sexist, intimidating behaviour - TOUGH SHIT. By the way, love this part of your post:

It's kind of like the whole "just because I dress like a slut, doesn't make me a slut" argument some women use for how they dress.

That doesn't make you sound like a creeper at all.

*shrugs* If a woman dresses in a mini-skirt and a low-cut top, personally I believe she has no right to get upset when she gets oogled by men. Besides, I'm pretty sure Tornado was making an exaggeration to point out a woman's breasts is seen more as a sexual item than a baby's food source in today's society.

If you'd actually bothered to read my posts throughout this topic, you'd find my point has been that I have no problem with breastfeeding as long as the woman doesn't make a big deal about it. My point was you can't have it both ways: if you pull your breasts out in public, you need to accept the fact it will make some people uncomfortable or curious.

 

[Flare Phoenix]

Baby needs nutrition to develop properly. Breast milk is evolution's answer.

Suddenly, the big, bad government takes away that. Mother is forced to stay at home, in the couch instead of being at the local café, having some coffee with friends.

Does anyone see the issue here?

Again, I don't see why we just don't make arrangements for breastfeeding. We invented toilets so people wouldn't just take a dump in the park. The problem is most people are using the wrong argument. Instead of saying "There should be somewhere where, when we're out, we can breastfeed our babies and still enjoy a day out", most people are going "WOMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BREASTFEED WHEREEVER THE HELL THEY LIKE BECAUSE ITS FEEDING A POOR DEFENSELESS BABY AND IF YOU DISAGREE YOU ARE A SEXIST!!!!!"

As I've said before, in my opinion it is up to the owner/manager of the place the woman is breastfeeding in. If he/she feels it to be inappropiate, he/she should have every right to ask the woman to finish up or leave.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Oh come on REALLY? People get offended or feel uncomfortable with seeing a mother feeding her child? What the hell is up with that? It's only part of the reason that women have boobs for anyway...What do they think they were there for? Display purposes only? Some people really need to grow the fuck up.

 

[Spy_Guy]

Snip

Breastfeeding is legal, nay, protected by the law. (in most places, for places that are not, different story)

Your comparing setting off smoke bombs, flashing and playing stupidiy loud music are silly.
For one, the activities you are talking about are, for the most part, illegal. Public nusiance I think they fall under....

You've missed the point by a mile.

The point was not "I want it to be legal to be a prick", my point was "Don't try to justify prickishness by telling the offended party to go away".

 

[gamefreakbsp]

Honestly, it can't be that hard to find somewhere out of view to feed the child. Bathroom, secluded hallway, phone booth. They just make a fuss about it because it inconveniences them.

It inconveniences them FOR NO FUCKING GOOD REASON. Other than the fact that some people have an inexplicable issue with seeing female breast.

It makes you uncomfortable does it? Then grow up? It's a woman feeding her child, not all woman wish to do that in some bathroom (which probably smells sand has pooticles floating around in the air, ew), and not everyone agrees with bottle feeding. So the option is for you to grow up. I know, far be it for me to ask the entitled men to change (or maybe just not look in that general direction).

I seem to have offended you. My intention is never to offend, so I offer an apology. However, your response hasn't done much to change my opinion. Actually, I think you may have gotten the idea that I am repulsed by breastfeeding. This is not accurate. I can safely say it doesn't bother me to any significant extent. My opinion on the subject is exactly as stated in my original post and what I just wrote now, no more than that.

I suppose it may be a little unsettling to breast feed in a restroom. However, I was merely using that as an example of a place that might be an alternative to out in public where people may be slightly unnerved by the sight. Now that I have mentioned it, I don't see why you find it so infuriating that people may feel awkward to see a woman breastfeeding. It is their problem I suppose, but it really isn't something to get so bent out of shape about.

Again, I am sorry if I touched a nerve. I honestly didn't think anybody would be upset at my post.

 

[the_green_dragon]

Snip

Breastfeeding is legal, nay, protected by the law. (in most places, for places that are not, different story)

Your comparing setting off smoke bombs, flashing and playing stupidiy loud music are silly.
For one, the activities you are talking about are, for the most part, illegal. Public nusiance I think they fall under....

You've missed the point by a mile.

The point was not "I want it to be legal to be a prick", my point was "Don't try to justify prickishness by telling the offended party to go away".

I think this post has come to an end anyway. I'm not sure what your point was Mr spy guy. Breastfeeding is not prickishness imo. I still stand by my original statement that if you are offended you should look elsewhere or go somewhere else if it offends you THAT much.

Brestfeeding. According to the poll only offends/makes uncomfotable/whateva 21% of the people here.
Your examples would probabily offend 50% if not more people imo.

My point was that breastfeeding only offends a reletively small portion of people, so those people can avert their gaze or not look directly at the boob, or leave.
If I went to a bar, and I wandered into karaoke night by accident. And it was really bad. People would Boo and make a fuss and the offending singer would get off the stage. If I thought it was really bad but 80% of the people didn't mind it, then I would have to leave.

Theres No comparison can be drawn from your examples. Anyway, I'll agree to disagree with you if you are one of the 21% who are offended.

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

It's part of humanity, let it slide guys... If you stare, that's your problem.