Barbara WaWa doesn’t like The View of women breastfeeding |
I heard this Barbara WaWa flap on the way back from lunch on a local talk radio show. Walters recently admitted on her talk show that she was “uncomfortable” seeing women breastfeeding in public. The Chicago Tribune talks about the PR bust which caused a protest of over 200 women at ABC headquarters:
But the rally at ABC is only the most visible example of a recent wave of “lactivism.” Prodded by mothers tired of being asked to adjourn to a bathroom while nursing in a public space, six states have recently passed laws giving a woman the right to breast-feed wherever she “is otherwise authorized to be.”
Lactivists is what these protesters are being called. Lactivism? Are these women serious? I had to go to Wikipedia on the term. Not there yet.
Unsurprisingly, this has brought on spotlight grabbing statements from Burger King and Starbucks who will roll out the stroller for breastfeeding on their premises.
My take: there are so many important issues in the world to discuss that this should be the last thing anybody gets upset about; let the breasts fly! Breastfeeding in public doesn’t bother or make me “uncomfortable” in the slightest. Janet Jackson’s breast display on the Superbowl didn’t bother me either. I respectfully request that any women who are breastfeeding in my vicinity that they not be uncomfortable if I see their breast. I’m not going to go all spycam or over-hormonal male on the situation but if a breast is brought into broad daylight then the woman in question better not get all uncomfortable about the exposure. If someone is that sensitive about being exposed then go somewhere private to feed your child.
Do MakeYouGoHmm readers get uncomfortable by women breastfeeding in public? If so, why? If not, then why not? I can’t believe the Wikipedia hasn’t racked up any material on this.
Pun intended.
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I agree with you. We have way too many things on our plates that are so much more important than breastfeeding in public. BFD and thank you WaWa for sharing your opinion with us while, in the meantime, there are babies all over this country starving from lack of any food or a breast to get some food from.
Focus, WaWa, focus.
Comment by Janine — June 8, 2005 @ 8:35 pm PST
I too was surprised Barbara W. would take time on her show to make that comment. As for the backlash, and the term “lactivist” — women aren’t getting riled up over just their right to nurse in public. It’s about promoting breastfeeding in general, which truly IS a vitally important issue. Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality, reduces healthcare costs for all of us, and is environmentally responsible. But most moms stop or never start because of “squeamish” feelings toward it, or pressure from those with “squeamish” feelings toward it. Breastfeeding will never become the NORM until it is seen as NORMAL. And until bottles are seen as the exception.
Surely Barbara understands that her show targets women who are at home during the day, ie moms. And that makes me wonder whether she knew she was stirring up a hornet’s nest. Methinks she did. Not dumb, that Barbara. The View got a lot of press this week.
Comment by Kristi — June 10, 2005 @ 12:33 am PST
I was breastfeed as an infant. I’m now in my early 50’s. My 9 children were breastfeed by their mother. 3 of my grandchildren were or are being breastfeed. Perfectly normal and natural in my view. I’m not bothered by it and have at times been in the presents of a strange (stranger) mother as she breastfeed her child. Nothing better for the child and/or mother. Both benefit. Yes I want to cop-a-look at times. But what the hell who wouldn’t appreciate the artistic shape of a fine breast as the child fed? Perhaps natures great art achievement.
Comment by Porter — June 12, 2005 @ 6:12 pm PST
Several generations have survived on baby formula. I think in emergency situations the use of baby formula in place of breast feeding would not have any serious health implications. Or if its absolutely necessary, is it so much to ask that mothers who “have to” breast feed in public try use to be discreet about it? Its just a matter of common politeness and decency.
This is a civilized society we live in. In a civilized society we all need to make certain modifications to our behavior so we can all live together. If you’re going to accept public breast feeding, are you going to accept a man scratching his balls in public? Scratching one’s balls when they are itchy is also “normal” and “natural”. So is picking your nose. How about when someone has to let out gas. Should they have reason to get all sensitive and defensive because their rights are being violated for being discouraged from letting loose whenever its convenient for them to do so?
This is just another example of activists that want to force their agenda and lifestyle on everyone else. I’m personally tired of having all this feminist, sanctity of motherhood crap being shoved down my throat. Not that I expect anyone to give a damn how I, as an immature, Neanderthal male might feel. But the fact that nobody seems to care what any one else thinks is an example of continuing erosion of our society.
Comment by Mike34 — June 19, 2005 @ 9:52 am PST
Mike34 - Thanks for taking time to comment.
Must admit, odd timing for a post like that on Father’s Day. I think if we go back in time 50 years nobody cared about women breast feeding in public. Heck maybe 25 years. I don’t see why anybody should get all offended? As for the scratching balls or picking nose analogies … er, those have nothing to do with feeding another human being, so no dice there.
Comment by TDavid — June 19, 2005 @ 10:50 am PST
I’m not sure what part of the country you might be from, but unitl now I don’t ever recall seeing it done in public. Its a private function and like other private functions that should be done in privacy. If a woman insists that she has to expose the whole world to her feeding her baby - she could at least (a compromise ? - unlikely) - put a towel over it.
Comment by Mike34 — June 20, 2005 @ 6:09 am PST