Preview

Breastfeeding in Public: a Women's Rights Issue

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
967 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Breastfeeding in Public: a Women's Rights Issue
Breastfeeding is a healthy, natural ability of every woman, and should therefore be socially acceptable and supported by everyone. For some reason this is not the case in our society, in fact breastfeeding continues to be a controversial issue that must be addressed by women’s rights activist groups. Breastfeeding is a feminist issue because the natural act has been medicalized and devalued by major companies because of their interests in profits in bottle feeding. According to Penny Van Esterik a coordinator in the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), women should never have to choose between their duties as a mother and their duties as a responsible, hard working employee. Our society pressures, exploits and oppresses women and the condition of their lives in every instance in which breastfeeding, especially in a public environment, is not adequately supported and accepted as a beautiful thing. There are many organizations worldwide that are dedicated to give women the support they need in order for them to not be discouraged from breastfeeding because of outside, socially constructed forces. La Leche League International and Pro Mom are just a couple to name. These organizations are very similar in the sense that they wish to create informative, happy and supportive environments for all women breastfeeding (or not) and anyone who wishes to be an activist for this issue.
LLLI refers to La Leche League International, an organization founded to give information and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers in personal help by seven women in 1956. This group is supported by many physicians and other health care professionals and emphasizes the importance of mother-to-mother support in order to understand the needs of their baby and the best means of fulfilling those needs.
LLLI’s basic philosophy is that “Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.” It believes that
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    PHIL 1381 Essay 1
    • 841 Words
    • 3 Pages

    PHIL 1381 Essay 1

    As children are born every day, parents want to give their children every chance at a normal and strong childhood. While the infant is not able to speak or express his or her opinion, a mother takes every opportunity to make sure the infant is medically stable. While the child is being fed by the mother, she is able to use byproducts that are marketed as the best milk for infants or is able to breast feed for natural nutrients from mother to child. While mothers are able to search for byproducts and other resources the main goal is keep the child healthy.…

    • 841 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hcs 455 Breastfeeding Policy Research Paper
    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hcs 455 Breastfeeding Policy Research Paper

    Resources are hard to come by for some agencies and this causes difficulty in Implementation of the law.…

    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    434 topic 1/ dq-2
    • 596 Words
    • 2 Pages

    434 topic 1/ dq-2

    Breastfeeding is an optimal approach in providing the nutritional requirements as well as well as providing immunity and positive long-term benefits. Breastfeeding provides the infant with all the necessary nutritional requirements for infants up to six months. For infants greater than six months in an addition with the introduction of solid foods is “an ideal feeding program” (American Dietetic Association, [ADA] 2009). Breastfeeding is lower in the United States than in other countries. One of the reasons is the increase in accessibility of formula. “Breastfeeding rates declined sharply because of the widespread belief that pasteurized cow’s milk eliminated the differences between human and cow’s milk feeding” (Wolf 2003 [as cited in ADA, 2009]). Many organizations are in support and promote breastfeeding for example, Center for Disease Control and Healthy People with goals of increasing the rate of breastfeeding mothers. Multiple benefits result from breastfeeding for both infant and mother. The ADA (2009) list multiple benefits; for example, bonding between mother and infant, essential nutrients, immunity properties, decrease in allergies and other intolerances, decrease in sudden infant death and long term affect of decrease in type 1 and 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol. There are also positive effects for the mother. For example, low risk in chronic diseases and other physical benefits as well as financial. The benefits are overwhelming for both mother and infant. In regards to benefits to society, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2014), breast-feeding can reduce infant mortality, less medical cost, more productive work force and good for the environment. It is our responsibility to assist and educate new mothers on the benefits by promoting and encouraging short…

    • 596 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hcs 455 Breastfeeding Research Paper
    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hcs 455 Breastfeeding Research Paper

    Breastfeeding is the best nourishment for newborns, infants, and toddlers. The Surgeon General has started an initiative to educate and promote breastfeeding to new mothers and their family support system. Womenshealth.gov states, “the experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons – the joyful bonding with your baby, the cost savings, and the health benefits for both mother and baby” ("Benefits," 2014, p. 1). Educating women and their families is the most important outcome in this process.…

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Breastfeeding And Culture Analysis
    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Breastfeeding And Culture Analysis

    In the article “Breastfeeding and Culture”, Dettwyler discussed the three main forces that work together to move women away from the practice of breastfeeding: separation of their productive labor and reproductive labor, increasing confidence to provide chemistry with their partners and decreasing confidence to use the breasts as the reason what they are made for, increasing of the commercials which are convincing the women that breasts are shameful and it is less healthy for the baby. One cultural practice that affects rates of breastfeeding is women going back to work especially in environments that do not promote breastfeeding or support the mother in this way. Another cultural practice that affects rates of breastfeeding is the public…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Sexualization In Advertising
    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Sexualization In Advertising

    Most people are so desensitized to death and murder by hyper actively aroused by anything remotely sexual that a breastfeeding mother can’t feed her own child in public because it might give young people the wrong impression about what breasts are really for (all those Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s commercials). If you walked into a mall with a Victoria’s Secret, there are more than likely giant posters of women wearing nothing but the latest collections of Victoria’s Secret brand of bras and underwear. These women are showing nothing but skin. But if a breastfeeding mother sat in front of one of these poster to feed an infant, rest assured there would be some ignorant person walking over to tell the woman to “cover up” or how she should really “do that at home or in the bathroom”. But why? Would you eat under a stuffy blanket, or in a filthy restroom? And if not, why would you tell a first time mother that her baby’s cafeteria is quite possibly one of the dirtiest rooms in any establishment? Women should not be ashamed to feed their children, in public or at home. In fact, according to many medical professionals, breastfeeding is actually healthier for a newborn baby due to the large amount of vitamin D in breast milk that is not necessarily found in formula. Some pediatricians actually recommend giving infants vitamin D supplements during their first few days of life just to give them a head start on their growth and bone development. Formula is also difficult for some infants to digest, causing more illnesses than found in breastfed babies, and in some cases, infant deaths. But breastfeeding isn’t solely beneficial for the baby, it also boosts the mother’s health, and reduces the chances of certain ovarian and breast…

    • 1684 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Argumentative Essay On Nursing In Public
    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Argumentative Essay On Nursing In Public

    The cultures of breastfeeding changes throughout the world, but you will find with a larger population of women nursing in public you get more support from the community. If women keep hiding and not standing up for the rights and laws of nursing in public, then we will never see nursing in public as normal in the United States. Education on the benefits and impact of woman nursing babies could very well affect acceptance of nursing in public as it has in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the leaders in promoting and protecting women’s right to breastfeed. The effects can be seen by 88% of babies being breastfed at birth and 34% up to five months of age. There will always be people who have opinions of what is acceptable and not when it comes to the body. Factors include religion, culture, and demographics, but one thing I can say that stands true over the years with the masses acceptance is around the…

    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Breastfeeding Past One
    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Breastfeeding Past One

    Many new moms who chose to breastfeed are struck with the conflict of when to wean. Most are told past six months is unnecessary and often talked down on when they continue to nurse, especially in public. Jen Davis expresses her experience, views, and disproves many common myths about extended breastfeeding. Jen describes the first time she talked to a nursing mom of a toddler. The mother loved nursing her children but after she left, the room filled with comments of disgust for her choice. "There 's something seriously wrong with her. She must be deranged. Once a child can walk and talk, nursing is perverse." That comment left a strong impression on me and, unfortunately, from that time on I thought Lisa was a little off, maybe even mentally ill.” Sadly this is how many people think about nursing past six months and even more so past 12 months.…

    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Breastfeeding Persuasive Speech
    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Breastfeeding Persuasive Speech

    Breastfeeding a baby in public continues to be a very controversial issue. Some people call breastfeeding in public impolite or offensive exposure, while others argue that this it is a mother's right to feed her baby. Wherever you might stand on the issue, there are some points that you might want to keep in mind before you judge someone.…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Breastfeeding In Public
    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Breastfeeding In Public

    campaign to support and protect a mother’s right to breastfeed her child anywhere, even in…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Breastfeeding
    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Breastfeeding

    "Breast is best." A slogan widely known across the nation encouraging mothers to give their infants what the World Health Organization acknowledges as the best start for babies. World Health Organization recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of their infant's life, then introducing solid foods while continuing to breastfeed up to two years of age. Breastfeeding provides a wide array of health benefits for both baby and mother while simultaneously enhancing the bond between mom and her baby. While breastfeeding initiation has been a growing trend as a result of additional support and education being provided in the hospital, many mothers and their babies do not continue breastfeeding for as long as recommended, due in large part to a lack of support once being discharged from the hospital. A mother's support systems once leaving the hospital can play a major role in a mother's attitude toward breastfeeding, which ultimately determines how long the mother child breastfeeding relationship will last.…

    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Breastfeeding In America Persuasive Essay
    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Breastfeeding In America Persuasive Essay

    Since the beginning of time, women breast has been sexualized and deemed inappropriate in public areas. There are many oppositions to breastfeeding in public mostly by men and older generations. These viewpoints are presented in scholarly articles and books. After more detailed research on the matter, hopefully it will help persuade the twenty-first century youth, who are personally being affected by the negative responses to breastfeeding in public. Therefore, breastfeeding in America should be socially accepted because breastfeeding an infant has positive, lifelong impacts compared to infant formula. The main point of view for this thesis statement is that breastfeeding a child is proved to be healthier than using infant formula, and women should not have to suffer socially because people think that breast are indecent in public. Altogether, this argument shall prove that the sexual stigma of breast, and health sponsored commercials of infant formula has caused many women to suffer when breastfeeding in public or unfortunately, not breastfeed at all.…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Hispanice Culture and Breastfeeding
    • 965 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Hispanice Culture and Breastfeeding

    Breastfeeding is widely regarded as the ideal nutritional system due largely to the diverse advantages for both mother and child (Gibson-Davis & Brooks-Gunn, 2006). Based on information found in the Health Promotion Model proposed by Pender et al., breastfeeding is not regarded as a health promoting behavior (Faraz, 2010). A health promoting behavior can be defined as a continuous, modifiable, long term behavior that helps to prevent illness and maintain wellness (Faraz, 2010). More importantly, to maintain optimal nutrition, The American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group proposes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (Schlickau & Wilson, 2005). Faraz (2010) points out that “in the United States, breastfeeding rates have been reported as increasing in recent years; however, it is unclear from these statistics whether women are exclusively breastfeeding and for how long. In 2006, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported breastfeeding rates as high as 76% in White women and 81% in Hispanic women in the United States.” Furthermore, the National Immunization survey has reported exclusive breastfeeding rates of Hispanic women in the United States as 30.9% at 3 months of life and 11.3% by 6 months of life (Faraz, 2010).…

    • 965 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Persuasive Essay: The Breastfeeding Debate
    • 1471 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Persuasive Essay: The Breastfeeding Debate

    Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, many women are shamed or have been shamed for breastfeeding in public. They are told to cover up, do it in the restroom, and to leave the area. Because of this criticism, many women do not feel safe or supported, so they do not breastfeed. They might attempt to breastfeed, but will stop because they feel ashamed (Dillard 73). It is silly to ask a woman to leave for simply nursing her infant. After all, I would be much more comfortable eating while a mother nurses rather than listen to a screaming baby.…

    • 1471 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Breastfeeding Should Be Allowed In Public
    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Breastfeeding Should Be Allowed In Public

    “That is so disgusting! Nobody wants to see that! Go do that in the restroom!”, these are some of the most common insults a mother has to deal with while nursing her starving infant in public. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural processes in life, yet very often breastfeeding gets demoralized when it is taking place in public. Even though the law protects the mother’s right to breastfeed in public, mothers get harassed for nourishing their infants in public.…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics