Is it because the breast was made a sexual object, now breastfeeding is made to be inapropriate?

Question

I am doing an essay for my class and this is my topic. But I am a mother and I breastfead my 3 kids.

Answer 1

In western society, a woman's breats are purely a sexual object. It is considered indecent exposure to have them uncovered. There's a lot of stigma about a woman demonstraiting her sexual organs in public. Women don't do it. There are also bottles available, so it is deemed unnessisary, regardless of evidence showing a bottle is not as healthy. The bottle, being an alternative, means the woman has decided to get her sexual organs out in public when she doesn't have to.
When she gets them out to feed her baby, thus doing somehting unusual, it flys in the face of what 'decent folks' consider to be apropriate - probably mostly because there is an alternative.

If that makes sence? anyway. That's my 2p.

(note: I don't give a rat's **** for what's 'apropriate', I'd rather get gawked at than give a baby a bottle)

Answer 2

Now to actually answer your question. The breast was created for providing nourishment for your babies. It was turned into a sexual object when men found out how much fun they are to play with! I breast fed 3 also. I got a lot of encouragement to do so, of course I am from the hippie generation. In the 50's is when women started getting all righteous and religious (wrongly so) about breast feeding at all and the bottle replaced the breast. THAT is where things went wrong. Babies who are breast fed are healthier and mentally happier. There should be no shame for natural behavior, unless it is inappropriately done. That goes with anything. Thank you for a very good question! Nana

Answer 3

Well hate to bash men concidering I am married but male dominated society has made breasts a sexual object thus making them inappropriate to be exposed. Breast were made, as you well know, to nourish our offspring. They weren't put there for a mans pleasure thank you very much. Sure they can be fun in the bedroom but the true meaning of what they are for have been completely lost. And sorry ladies as long as there is a man in the white house and on parliment hill (for the canadians) we will never feel comfortable breastfeeding in public with the small minded idiots.

Answer 4

If that is the reason, then why do we allow Victoria Secret to have their ads showing alot mor skin then a breastfeeding mother. Yes some people do look at the breast a a sexual object, but when you are at the mall walking and pass a lingerie store with their pictures and things, is that not sexual, too? I think it is mostly women jealous of other women. And men that cant control them self. I have a close friend that used to get so mad at women breastfeeding in public places, now she is a mom to a 2 month old, and she has changed her mind. It is so much healthier, cheaper, and natural. Think about the same people that crap at breastfeeding, are the one that go to adult book stores. The womans body was not made to arouse a man but to nourish her babies.

Answer 5

I believe that breastfeeding is completely natural and anywhere you can take a baby, you should be able to breastfeed. That's the law in my state. Obviously, I find it inappropriate in bars or theaters and such, as you shouldn't have babies there anyway.

Now, there is something to be said about HOW a woman nurses in public. There are ways to be discreet about it. I don't really want to see anyone's breast hanging out - that's why they make blankets and such to gracefully drape and keep concealed. Nursing shirts are also good for this.

I notice a lot of opposition on the public portion of this - a lot of people say, well, there is a bathroom nearby, go there. Would you want to eat your meals in the bathroom? Think of how many germs are in there! It's only fair to allow women to (discreetly) nurse in public.

Besides, it's the most natural thing and the best for the baby.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, when man commited high treason in the Garden, he allowed what God had intended to be pure and natural to become an overtly 'sexual' object. That is not so. Meh have breasts too - women's were made to provide substance for the young child. Breast feeding is NEVER inappropriate in my opinion however, the place we, as Mothers 'decide' to feed our children 'can ' present itself inappropriate because we live in a world with a vast number of people who might not share our ideas. We should never 'intend' to offend others. I breastfed however, I was very selective in the places I would go moreoften because I wanted to experience the feeding 'with' my child. So, I'd never pull a breast out in church, or other public places. I would go to the restroom where I could sit comfortably and nurse - or I would take a bottle with my own milk. I seriously do not believe that because 'people' look upon the breast in a sexual nature that you can compare inappropriate breast feeding with it. Good luck on your paper.

Answer 7

I understand the thought behind that... I do not have children, but I know in the future I want them. I have thought about breast feeding, but I find myself sometimes appalled by it, even though I know it is best. I think it is wonderful when women do it, and I think it is natural... but for some reason, when I think of doing it, I get a weird feeling. I think it does have to do with so much sexual obsession being put on the breast, that it is not the natural nurishment it used to be. I do tend to find myself think of the sexual aspect of it, instead of the natural aspect of it. I think that is what turns me away from wanting to breastfeed the most. I want to breastfeed because of the thousands of perks to it, but there is something so strongly pulling me away from that, and I think it is the thought of the breast being sexual. I know it sounds lame, but it is something that pops into my head when considering. I just hope that when the time comes, I can overcome those strange thoughts and look past the societal obsession and do whats best for my baby. I am sure that once I hold my child those thoughts won't be any where near, but for right now, they are in the back of my head.

Answer 8

It isnt inapropriate, if you do it in private. People that wanted to stay warm decided a long time ago that breasts should be covered, and its just common courtesy not to whip them out in front of others. What is with everyone saying they shouldnt be a sexual object? Male dominated society didnt make it that way, evolution did. It is because breasts are used to nurse children that they are attractive, they are a sign of fertility and femininity, and thusly attract the opposite sex. It has nothing to do with western society, we just subvert sexual imagery while some cultures advance it.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, yes. I do not consider breastfeeding in public to be inappropriate. I think it is stupid and ill-mannered of people to gawk and try to make an issue of a woman feeding her baby. People should just mind their own business.

Answer 10

I personally don't see anything wrong with breasts. Its just another body part. and yes I think that is now seen as inappropiate and disgusting to breastfeed because of all the negative attention it has brought =P