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The question is how far do we go as a society to keep children "comfortable"? Do we ignore public manners and decorum because a child is not comfortable?
The question is how far do we go as a society to keep grownups "comfortable"? Do we ignore physiology and psychology because some adults are not comfortable with one human eating the food that it is meant to eat from the container that is meant to distribute that food at the table with the rest of the humans?
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 23,016,954 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Katiana
Your reasoning, as I said, is specious. I'm only talking about breastfeeding, not about allowing children to run around naked, though I shudder to think that someone might find a baby wearing only a diaper in the heat of summer at say, a picnic, offensive. The rest of your post, about kids running wild, making a racket at restaurants, has nothing to do at all with breast feeding, and I take offense at the implication that I would let my kids (who are now 26 and 22 anway) do that, just because I would breast feed them in public.
Who's this "we" kemosabe?
Sorry if you took offense but there are MANY parents who allow their children to run wild because "children will be children" without consideration of those around them. When you mentioned the discomfort of the baby eating with a sheet over its head, it just struck me as the same type of reasoning that parents have for allowing their children to run wild in public - it's only the comfort of the child that matters versus what is proper and respectful. As you and others can clearly see, there isn't a consensus on this issue and there are folks that do not wish to be exposed to public nudity. I understand your child's gotta eat but have some discretion please. That's all I and I'm sure others who have voiced similar feelings are asking for. Your child may be the center of your universe but he/she isn't the center of ours. Be mindful of those around you. Like it or not, there ARE pervs that will get their kicks off of viewing your exposed breast so it is in the best interest of mothers to be discrete about breastfeeding.
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 23,016,954 times
Reputation: 36027
Quote:
Originally Posted by filihok
The question is how far do we go as a society to keep grownups "comfortable"? Do we ignore physiology and psychology because some adults are not comfortable with one human eating the food that it is meant to eat from the container that is meant to distribute that food at the table with the rest of the humans?
Ok ... Continue to feed your baby without being discrete about it. Who cares about some stupid adults that get grossed out and have their paid for meals ruined. It does not matter. Only thing that's important is you and your darling little hungry angel. Let's just throw manners out of the window.
Ok ... Continue to feed your baby without being discrete about it. Who cares about some stupid adults that get grossed out and have their paid for meals ruined. It does not matter. Only thing that's important is you and your darling little hungry angel. Let's just throw manners out of the window.
I don't actually have baby, or breasts for that matter.
This post has totally made me see the light. Who cares if some child deserves to eat at the table where adults are eating from a breast that produces milk for that child. The only thing that is important is you and your revulsion to a bared breast. Let us just throw the natural order of things out the window.
It really disgusted me today. This handicapped guy was in a restaurant and a caregiver was feeding him. Occasionally saliva mixed with half chewed food would dribble down his chin and onto his shirt. I was disgusted. I think it would have been much better if the caregiver had fed that man in the bathroom or in the alley behind the restaurant because my meal cost me almost $12. I heard what the disabled man ordered and his order was only $11 so my disgust trumps his right to eat.
I don't actually have baby, or breasts for that matter.
This post has totally made me see the light. Who cares if some child deserves to eat at the table where adults are eating from a breast that produces milk for that child. The only thing that is important is you and your revulsion to a bared breast. Let us just throw the natural order of things out the window.
It really disgusted me today. This handicapped guy was in a restaurant and a caregiver was feeding him. Occasionally saliva mixed with half chewed food would dribble down his chin and onto his shirt. I was disgusted. I think it would have been much better if the caregiver had fed that man in the bathroom or in the alley behind the restaurant because my meal cost me almost $12. I heard what the disabled man ordered and his order was only $11 so my disgust trumps his right to eat.
OK - for one and all, it's DISCREET not discrete....
Quote:
Discreet is an adjective.
It means to be careful or modest, not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping something secret.
For example: To work for the royal family you have to be very discreet.
See it in action. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/your_teacher/287970472/ - broken link) Discrete is an adjective.
It means something is distinct and separate or has a clear independent shape or form.
For example: She painted using strong colours, discrete shapes, and rhythmic patterns.
Sorry if you took offense but there are MANY parents who allow their children to run wild because "children will be children" without consideration of those around them. When you mentioned the discomfort of the baby eating with a sheet over its head, it just struck me as the same type of reasoning that parents have for allowing their children to run wild in public - it's only the comfort of the child that matters versus what is proper and respectful. As you and others can clearly see, there isn't a consensus on this issue and there are folks that do not wish to be exposed to public nudity. I understand your child's gotta eat but have some discretion please. That's all I and I'm sure others who have voiced similar feelings are asking for. Your child may be the center of your universe but he/she isn't the center of ours. Be mindful of those around you. Like it or not, there ARE pervs that will get their kicks off of viewing your exposed breast so it is in the best interest of mothers to be discrete about breastfeeding.
Do you have any evidence that all these kids who are allowed to "run wild" are also breast fed? If not, it has nothing to do with this thread. Even if so, it has nothing to do with this topic. Breast fed babies usually aren't able to run wild, anywhere.
I do live in a state that "allows" public breast feeding. I don't know if that was the law when I actually was breast feeding, most recently 20 years ago, but I never got arrested.
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 23,016,954 times
Reputation: 36027
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katiana
Do you have any evidence that all these kids who are allowed to "run wild" are also breast fed? If not, it has nothing to do with this thread. Even if so, it has nothing to do with this topic. Breast fed babies usually aren't able to run wild, anywhere.
I do live in a state that "allows" public breast feeding. I don't know if that was the law when I actually was breast feeding, most recently 20 years ago, but I never got arrested.
You are missing the point I'm making. No where did I state that breastfed children are allowed to run wild. I just stated that the rationalizations for breastfeeding in public in a non-discreet manner for the comfort of the baby eating is the same type of rationalizations that parents who allow their children to run wild. The child's comfort is the center of everything and trumps manners and public decorum. I have NO issues with breastfeeding if the woman takes steps to be discreet and there are tons of ways to discreetly breastfeed a child so I'm not sure what the issues some of you mothers are having? Prior to having your babies, would you have been willing to go around topless in public? Why does public decency suddenly change when a baby needs to be fed? Be discreet about it. That's all I'm asking.
You are missing the point I'm making. No where did I state that breastfed children are allowed to run wild. I just stated that the rationalizations for breastfeeding in public in a non-discreet manner for the comfort of the baby eating is the same type of rationalizations that parents who allow their children to run wild. The child's comfort is the center of everything and trumps manners and public decorum. I have NO issues with breastfeeding if the woman takes steps to be discreet and there are tons of ways to discreetly breastfeed a child so I'm not sure what the issues some of you mothers are having? Prior to having your babies, would you have been willing to go around topless in public? Why does public decency suddenly change when a baby needs to be fed? Be discreet about it. That's all I'm asking.
You're talking about the "slippery slope" theory. I hate to disappoint you, but it doesn't work that way with parenting (if with anything). A three month old child is not automatically going to be a serial killer b/c s/he was breast fed in public. At that age, yes, the child's comfort is the #1 priority. Since 44 states permit "public breastfeeding" and 28 exempt public breast feeding from public indecency laws (there is some overlap in that some states don't specifically "permit" public breast feeding but exempt same from public indececy) the people who need to get over it are the ones who object.
I didn't get followed home by any pervs b/c I breast fed in public, BTW. I get the feeling your idea of discreet is to not breast feed in public, e.g go to the car, go to a stinkhole of a public restroom, or make it appear that you are not breast feeding, e.g. smother the kid in a blanket, etc.
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