Breast-feeding and Homesexuality. Grow Up!

[Coin]

The parallels being drawn here between a man exposing his penis and a woman exposing her breasts don’t quite work.

First of all, a breast-feeding woman has her breast out not for the purpose of shocking prudes, but of a feeding a child. Given the choice between a flash of tit and a squalling, hungry baby, I would go with the former every time.

A man’s penis, on the other hand, serves no purpose that requires it to be exposed in the middle of a restaurant. (And yes, if it somehow happened that I had a legitimate, non-sexual reason to whip my cock out in public, it would be reasonable to expect people to try and ignore it if they were uncomfortable with it.)

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

*Originally posted by Soup_du_jour *
**In my opinion, all other things being equal, people should, in general, take courses of action that minimize the uncomfortableness of others.

In addition, all other things being equal, people should, in general, recognize that they may have different standards of decency that others and not be offended by what they may deem objectionable.

In short, people need to be a bit more considerate of others. **

By that standard, the, people should not go bitching to Burger King managers about breast-feeding mothers, thus increasing the discomfort of the mother, the baby and the fucking BK manager. You’re titty hang-up is your titty hang up. No one has any obligation to avoid offending fuckheads. That goes for nursing moms and for gay people.

[catsix]

What about cases where it’s not just a ‘quick flash of nipple’ but someone’s breast laying on a table in a fast food restaurant?

Like in this instance that lee describes in another thread:

Last week, I covered the table with a receiving blanket and used the third option at Arby’s. We had left the milk in the car and she seemed to need the comfort of breastfeeding as well. She latched on well, and what had started as a quick stop for bathroom and a soda, turned into all three adults buying dinner and eating while Loren had her dinner too. No one bothered us or made an issue of it. No, I was not discreet at all, and I will probably never be.

Linkage

Is there a point at which things are so visible as to make the reaction of those who’d rather not see a person’s breasts in public more understandable?

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

Is there a point at which things are so visible as to make the reaction of those who’d rather not see a person’s breasts in public more understandable?

No.

[DeaganTheWolf]

Catsix Has made a good point, Sometimes something which is legal, may still make people uncomfortable. Why would I be a “repressed fuckhead” to quote another poster, for wanting to be spared the sight of a child nursing while i’m paying for the ambiance and service of a restaurant? (NOT Burger King for the purpose of this) As far as I’m concerned, nursing is a beautiful and PERSONAL thing when executed in a modest fashion. However, I don’t feel it’s appropriate, or courteous to the other diners, who are paying a premium for their food and service.

Isn’t there a cut-off somewhere? An infant nursing quietly in some sort of sling or wrap is fine, a 12 mo old standing or sitting in mom’s lap with her entire breast out, and blankets etc, is a little over the line at least in a restaurant.

As far as i’m concerened it’s no different than changing a diaper in the booth, or taking a loud messy toddler to a nice establishment. Is it legal? yes. Do you as parents have every right to the same food and services as everyone else? Of course you do. Do you as parents ALSO have the obligation to be sensitive to those who don’t have to, or don’t want to deal with the unique problems of young children? If you are any sort of decent person I believe you do.

[Homebrew]

In 1992, the high court in New York ruled that woman can go topless in any non-sexual setting a man can. In the concurring opinion, one of the justices wrote:

“One of the most important purposes to be served by the equal protection clause is to ensure that ‘public sensibilities’ grounded in prejudice and unexamined sterotypes do not become enshrined as part of the official policy of government.”

That bears repeating.

"One of the most important purposes to be served by the equal protection clause is to ensure that ‘public sensibilities’ grounded in prejudice and unexamined sterotypes do not become enshrined as part of the official policy of government."

[Nobody]

But men arn’t allowed to be topless in resturants. In fact, most, if not all, have the no shirt, no shoes, no service sign.

[Sonyadora]

But exposing a small part of the breast to feed ones baby is hardly going topless.

[Soup_du_jour]

*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic *
**By that standard, the, people should not go bitching to Burger King managers about breast-feeding mothers, thus increasing the discomfort of the mother, the baby and the fucking BK manager. You’re titty hang-up is your titty hang up. No one has any obligation to avoid offending fuckheads. That goes for nursing moms and for gay people. **

Exactly. I completely agree with you.

All I’m saying is that, given the option of offending fuckheads or not offending fuckheads, all else being equal, one should take the non-offensive route.

If you offend people without a good reason, you are a jerk. Plain and simple.

[EasyPhil]

*Originally posted by Joel *
**But men arn’t allowed to be topless in resturants. In fact, most, if not all, have the no shirt, no shoes, no service sign. **

True, but you could have your shirt on but open.

[Shade]

Firstly, MrVisible I loved you writing “Originally posted by the Supreme Court of the United States”

Secondly, while I agree breastfeeding should be allowed (fairly discretely) I don’t know if “it’s natural” is sufficient argument. What if there was a public place that allowed people to go the toilet in public? I think a lot of people would be shocked. AFAICT the only difference is than most people are ok with breastfeeding, and most aren’t with toilets. Am I missing something?

[Homebrew]

Perhaps you’re missing sanitation issues?

[Nobody]

In my previous posts, I was somewhat oversimplifying my position, and holding back a little about what I truly thought, but honestly, in my opinion, this is a complicated issue. And my feelings are mixed.

When it comes to breast-feeding, the more discrete, the better. If a woman does it, and nobody ever notices, great. If the mother puts the baby towards the bottom of her shirt so that no breast part is seen, but it’s obvious what’s going on, OK, I can accept that. If there’s a quick flash of breast or nipple, quickly followed by putting it in the baby’s mouth and covering it up, I’ll feel a tad uncomfortable, but I can force myself to ignore it. If a mother plops out her breast, feeds the baby, and makes no effort to be discrete, that’s when it’s most uncomfortable.

I think it would be great if, as a society, we were totally accepting of unabashed breast feeding, but we’re not, and I think that breast-feeding mothers should keep that in mind. Now, if a mother feels that she absolutely has to do it in public, fine, but please be as discrete as possible, that’s not asking to much. Use a blanket or something else for cover, or nurse under your shirt, or something like that. There are ways you can breast feed, and still be discrete about it. And if you choose not to be discrete, then don’t complain if you get funny looks, have comments made to you, or catch people trying to sneak a peek for a cheep thrill (not that that probably happens much, but I bet that it does happen).

And as for the argument “Wouldn’t you be offended if someone asked you to eat in the bathroom”, OK, yes breast milk is food, however, a lot of us see a big difference between putting your breast in a baby’s mouth in a bathroom, and taking processed food and drink items into a bathroom. Yes, both are forms of eating, but they’re completely different forms of eating. Breast-feeding and putting a burger or some fries in your mouth are not the same thing.

In short, I believe that a balance can be achieved where the mother can breast-feed to her hearts content, yet do it indiscreetly so that you don’t bother other people while doing it.

[Shade]

Good catch. Damn, I addressed that in draft one, but didn’t go into it after all. Breastfeeding in a bathroom is out, perhaps. And defecating in a restaurant.

But I don’t think that’s the fundamental difference, as imagining bathroom stalls with glass doors would tell you, wouldn’t it?

[Homebrew]

There are ways you can breast feed, and still be discrete about it. And if you choose not to be discrete, then don’t complain if you get funny looks, have comments made to you, or catch people trying to sneak a peek for a cheep thrill

Joel, I think you’re missing the point. The mother was not the one who complained.

[Nobody]

She complained about being asked to breast-feed in the restroom.

[Ms2001]

*Originally posted by Coin *
First of all, a breast-feeding woman has her breast out not for the purpose of shocking prudes, but of a feeding a child.

So what? If boobs are so horrible to look at, why should it matter why they’re exposed? OTOH, if they aren’t horrible to look at, why does breast feeding need special treatment?

A man’s penis, on the other hand, serves no purpose that requires it to be exposed in the middle of a restaurant.

A nursing mother isn’t required to expose herself in the middle of a restaurant either; there are other places she can do it. The question is, whose convenience is more important: the mother, who would rather stay in the restaurant, or the people around her, who would rather not have such an “offensive” act in their presence?

I say the mother. But more importantly, I’d say the same thing about any woman, whether she’s nursing or not. If she wants to expose her boobs, for whatever reason, that’s fine. No one ever died from seeing nudity.

It’s ridiculous to pretend that exposure is so offensive it needs to be banned, but suddenly becomes harmless when there’s a baby involved.

[fatmac98]

Nice OP. . . I’m with you on the breastfeeding thing. Don’t get discouraged by the thought police that sometimes show up here.

[Farmwoman]

I think it would be great if, as a society, we were totally accepting of unabashed breast feeding, but we’re not, and I think that breast-feeding mothers should keep that in mind.

Joel, you seem kind of sweet and naive about the issue. Honestly, I’m not trying to make fun of you, but are there any other issues of social change you think would be ‘great’ or beneficial, but for which you are willing to argue against? Just clarify, 'cause that stance never makes much sense to me.

[TeaElle]

Joel, do you like eating with a blanket, towel or shirt over your head?

What? You don’t? Really?

So why should my baby?

:rolleyes: