I keep hearing stories about these “Disgusting”, “Outrageous”,
“Hippie” moms who are unapologetically breastfeeding their babies in malls,
restaurants, and supermarkets. And some of them have the nerve to do it
uncovered! Just baby suckling breast with no shame!
In a society that claims to be “forward thinking” and “green”
and sensitive to the rights of its citizens, we should be ashamed. In a society
where it is the norm to see people kissing and fondling in public, where actresses
are called sexy for wearing next to nothing at award shows and bikini tops are
acceptable wardrobe for a night out with the girls, it is depressing that
breastfeeding moms are the ones met with outrage and disgust.
This is just another indication that the portrayal of liberation
and freedom women have in American society is merely a political farce used to
make other countries feel inferior to American values.
Do I breastfeed in public? Yes I do. Would you notice?
Probably not, because I always use my scarf or other garment as a cover. But does
not mean I would be outraged to see another women do it uncovered? No I would
not because I have seen much more outrageous things than a mother nourishing
her child in the open. And frankly, I’d probably be more happy to see another
mother who has embraced the best way to feed their child in a society who
pretends they support it, but in reality it is a deep seeded taboo.
Why is breastfeeding taboo in America? What is at the base
of American values? Capitolism. And corporations, like Enfamil and Good Start
have infiltrated the minds and hearts of American women, telling them their own
milk was not good enough for their offspring. And formula was better. So we
have not only bought into this rhetoric, making their pockets fat, but we have
sexualized and demonized breastfeeding and the people who do it.
This is not a blog about breastfeeding vs. formula. This is
a blog about how an entire society can be brainwashed into thinking that something
which is good and natural is something that is sick and inappropriate.
