Breastfeeding in Public
Breastfeeding in Public: A Woman’s Right or Crime Women were born blessed with the ability to offer the most natural and beautiful act a mother can do for her child. Breastfeeding is a treasurable bond shared between mother and child. Controversy arises when nursing mothers choose to perform feedings in public areas. Select groups of people view breastfeeding in public places as indecent and offensive. It is to be determined if it is a women’s right to breastfeed her child anywhere she deems suitable. According to the medical dictionary, breastfeeding is defined as feeding a child human breast milk ("eMedicineHealth.com"). A lactating mother produces this milk. Lactation is the process of producing milk. Human milk is secreted by the mammary glands, which are located within the fatty tissue of the breast ("eMedicineHealth.com"). Mothers unable to produce adequate amounts of breast milk are in the minority. Most women begin to lactate before the birth process takes place. After a baby is born the mother is able to immediately begin nursing. The number of women that choose to breastfeed their children has begun to dwindle significantly over the decades. Is this because society as a whole has become lazy? Is it because breastfeeding does not have enough proven benefits over formula? Or is it because society does not approve of women breastfeeding in public, making it increasingly more difficult for nursing women to continue their lives after giving birth? It would be impossible for every individual in America to agree on any one subject. The topic of breastfeeding is not excluded. Advocates turn a cheek at the sight of a bare breast or smile in the beauty of the natural gift. Anti-breastfeeding individuals frown upon the sight due to morals, beliefs, and preference. The issue comes down to whether breastfeeding should or should not be allowed in public. Those who whole-heartedly believe in breast milks benefits support mothers being allowed to breastfeed in
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