Breastfeeding In Public

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The hot topic of whether a mother breastfeeding in public is acceptable or not is a matter of personal opinion. Yet, the controversy of being legal or illegal in public is still a debated topic in the 21st century. Breastfeeding is the most natural way of feeding a baby, still society has made it the an unnatural way of feeding in public. The breast is or was supposed to be the symbol of motherhood yet again society has changed something so natural as the breast to a symbol of sex. There are two types of laws that come into play when it comes to location for breastfeeding, first is indecent exposure laws and the second is public accommodation laws. Indecent exposure laws can be applied when the mother is breastfeeding in public parks, benches …show more content…

As breastfeeding is not outlawed in any states, there are only 42 states that specifically protect women's rights to breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding may be legal in every state, some mothers are reluctant to breastfeeding in public due to other people's objections, negative comments, or harassment. Another view on breastfeeding in public is the sight of a women's breast has been made a “private part” since the day we could understand what they were. Thus, making the breast a secret to society and a scarce part you were or suppose to keep from the public. In my opinion, I was against the idea of seeing other women's breast in a public area, but with further research on my education of the matter I found I would rather support the women's right to breastfeed in public. What really changed my mind set was, if it is the job of a mother to feed and nurture their baby in its' early years, why wouldn't we be supportive of that in public? We tolerate mothers feeding their children unhealthy foods, why not tolerate a mother feeding their child naturally and healthy food? Either the public cringes at the sight of a mother breastfeeding in public or judge for feeding their newborn with formula. There is no winner. America has the lowest breastfeeding rates in any other industrialized country. The culture created in America is to be uncomfortable to natural feeding yet comfortable enough to publicly share that they are offended by

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