This month a Texas legislator introduced an exciting new bill protecting breastfeeding moms. Her bill would actually make it illegal to harass a woman who's breastfeeding in public! I love it, a lot of moms love it, but not everyone is a fan. One of the bill's loudest opponents is a woman. State Representative Debbie Riddle posted what she really thinks about the bill on her Facebook page. She says she supports breastfeeding in theory, but she thinks women should be "modest."
Oh good lord, Debbie! You are part of the problem. You are the reason why we need this law in the first place.
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Riddle's opinion got her over 1000 comments. Many were snarky and exasperated and angry, which is probably why she removed the post from her Facebook page. But here's a screenshot.
Oh, if only people would simply be considerate and thoughtful of others we would need no laws against murder and theft as well! You could use the very same argument against her. If people would simply be considerate and thoughtful of breastfeeding women we wouldn't need this bill!
You know what I wish? I wish people didn't have such hangups about seeing a woman breastfeeding. I mean, we're okay with celeb sideboob, we're okay with cleavage out to there, but if we happen to catch a tiny bit of boob while a woman is feeding her child -- that's vulgar. It's only vulgar if you use your boob for non-sexual purposes.
Anyway, the vast majority of women who dare (!!!) breastfeed in public are pretty discreet about it. I know there's the rare mom who doesn't mind whipping out the whole thing out the top of her shirt, but so what? In that context, it's just kind of blah anyway. It happens, children don't faint, and we all move on with our lives unscathed. I still think that exposure is worth the trauma if it means more women will breastfeed their babies.
Do you agree with Rep. Riddle, or do you think she just doesn't get it?
Image via Mothering Touch/Facebook
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Comments 64
She did not say breastfeeding in public is vulgar. You are lying. What a surprise. If I lived in her district I would vote for her. An individual's right to breastfeed does not supercede a business's right to decide with whom to do business.
I completely agree with the Representative. A bill that would allow for lawsuits if one "interfered" really IS going too far! Anyone who asked a woman to be discrete and not flopping her whole boob out (does happen) could be sued?Just what exactly is considered interfering and who gets to decide? The mom? The judge? So subject to interpretation. Ridiculous overkill.
The examples you give are not fully valid, because they are based on the assumption that side boob and cleavage "out to there" aren't also brought up as inappropriate. I am sick of the breastfeeding-rights drum being beaten as if it is the holy grail of rights that no one better dare negatively comment on.
I've always thought people that opposed breastfeeding opposed the idea of mothers as people - they seem to be so offended by someone attempting to have a normal life with an infant that to me (this is just my opinion) they seem to want women barefoot at home, taking care of the babies and fixing supper...
I've always thought people that opposed breastfeeding opposed the idea of mothers as people - they seem to be so offended by someone attempting to have a normal life with an infant that to me (this is just my opinion) they seem to want women barefoot at home, taking care of the babies and fixing supper...
I don't believe breastfeeding is vulgar, however I do have to be considerate to those around me. Wearing a cover to breastfeed is not to much to ask and also a business owner have the right to ask you to cover yourself if it's interfering with their customers. Why is this such a great debate? It's becoming a tired subject and we should move on from the breastfeeding in public/ coverup/ bottle feeding debate.
I agree with her - but the problem is what is her opinion of immodest??
Honestly, if someone were in my home or business (which I don't have) and removed their shirt to breastfeed (I know, I know, highly unlikely, but bear with me!) I would want to have the freedom to ask them to nurse with their shirt on, WITHOUT fearing being arrested or sued.
I want women to have the right to breastfeed in public and I nurse in public all the time. But it makes me nervous to see a law that allows you to prosecute those who might say something against it.
Ok, this has been said a bazillion times, but it warrents saying again- some babies CANNOT be covered. My son was one of them. I am a very modest and descreet woman and when my son wouldn't feed under a cover I would be terrified to the point of tears when he would start screaming to eat. I would go to the bathroom or car (which at the time was a 2 door convertable and he was born at a very cold time of year) and cry because I felt so isolated. By the time my daughter came along my whole view had changed. I tried to cover her but she wouldn't have it, so I learned how to be discreet without suffocating her or isolating myself. No one ever said anything because I doon't think anyone noticed. At the first sign of fussiness I would get the baby situated and just carry on as if nothing was happening ( No screaming baby, no flailing covers, no running red faced through a resteraunt with a screaming baby, no problem.)