Breasts ARE Sexual. (Because We Clearly Need This Talk)

[youretooloud]

Anybody who says "Breasts are not sexual" are either clueless or in denial.

Both men and women view breast as sexual, because they ARE. They just ARE.

Yes, they are also for feeding our babies. But, how much of our lives are spent like that? The rest is us looking at our boobs in the mirror, wondering if we should get lifts or enlargements.

Dropping your shirt in front of everybody JUST because you feel like you need to be "in your face because my baby needs to eat" is rude. It's just selfish, rude, and extreme.

A toddler doesn't NEED to be breast fed right then... you can say "let mommy finish her dinner, here's a turkey leg".

BUT if a mom IS breast feeding, and she's sitting down in a mall by herself, or in a lawn chair at a picnic, look the heck away... for crying out loud, turn around if it offends you and look away. There is NO reason for a mom to go sit in the car, or the dressing room unless it's the only way a baby will eat.

Those who don't want to see a breast feeding mom, LOOK AWAY, and get over it.

Nursing kids past the age of one is normal....there is no cut of age.

I think a breast feeding debate is AWESOME! Just not as a target against one or two members. Everybody has different feelings about it, and no one opinion is more right than others. In some parts of North America, people are more modest, in others, it's not unusual to breast feed in the middle of a church service. I think consideration for both sides is important.

Edited to add....that time life picture of the mom and the giant three year old WAS meant to shock, and turn on some people. It was extremely sexualized, and probably hurt the breast feeding movement more than anything.

[just_peachy]

Anybody who says "Breasts are not sexual" are either clueless or in denial.

Both men and women view breast as sexual, because they ARE. They just ARE.

Yes, they are also for feeding our babies. But, how much of our lives are spent like that? The rest is us looking at our boobs in the mirror, wondering if we should get lifts or enlargements.

Dropping your shirt in front of everybody JUST because you feel like you need to be "in your face because my baby needs to eat" is rude. It's just selfish, rude, and extreme.

A toddler doesn't NEED to be breast fed right then... you can say "let mommy finish her dinner, here's a turkey leg".

BUT if a mom IS breast feeding, and she's sitting down in a mall by herself, or in a lawn chair at a picnic, look the heck away... for crying out loud, turn around if it offends you and look away. There is NO reason for a mom to go sit in the car, or the dressing room unless it's the only way a baby will eat.

Those who don't want to see a breast feeding mom, LOOK AWAY, and get over it.

Nursing kids past the age of one is normal....there is no cut of age.

I think a breast feeding debate is AWESOME! Just not as a target against one or two members. Everybody has different feelings about it, and no one opinion is more right than others. In some parts of North America, people are more modest, in others, it's not unusual to breast feed in the middle of a church service. I think consideration for both sides is important.

Edited to add....that time life picture of the mom and the giant three year old WAS meant to shock, and turn on some people. It was extremely sexualized, and probably hurt the breast feeding movement more than anything.

Is it okay to drop your shirt in front of everyone if you're truly naive of its "offensive" nature? I'm not being snarky. We have a high Hispanic population here and I have seen many-an-Hispanic boob.

I agree about the Time cover, I want to say to that lady "get over yourself, you airbrushed goddess, you..."

And lastly, I consider my whole darn body to be sexual, if you know what I mean, wink wink nudge nudge.

http://www.womansday.com/sex-relationships/sex-tips/7-forgotten-female-erogenous-zones-103643

[just_peachy]

Anybody who says "Breasts are not sexual" are either clueless or in denial.

Both men and women view breast as sexual, because they ARE. They just ARE.

Yes, they are also for feeding our babies. But, how much of our lives are spent like that? The rest is us looking at our boobs in the mirror, wondering if we should get lifts or enlargements.

I also want to make a more serious comment on this. Breasts are sexual. But unfortunately they are also disproportionately sexual-IZED. For me personally, I find this another reason to increase exposure to "the truth." I have a 5 year old and 7 year old boy. Both have seen me nurse, occasionally see me naked, and see my friends nurse fairly regularly. I am so grateful for that. They will grow up knowing what real boobs look like. I limit their exposure to "the perfect body." No Women's magazines laying around, no TV with commercials, etc. THESE are the things that should be stigmatized. Instead, they're idolized. That's wrong. And it began with the oppression of boobs. (Hmm, that's one of the strangest things I've ever said...) As soon as we began covering up Nature's boobs, Society's boobs busted out. (Oh man, the puns, I'm on fire.)

One of the reasons p-o-r-n can be so detrimental to so many marriages is because it sets up an unreal expectation of what a woman should be. We are using The Media and The Internet as our kids' learning tools and examples to what is normal.

So do I think breast feeding in public is more about just feeding your child? YES. I believe it's about bettering our future generation. Assisting our boys in becoming men of integrity, and assisting our girls in becoming free from oppression. It sounds so dramatic when I put it that way, but... it's what I believe.

[youretooloud]

Is it okay to drop your shirt in front of everyone if you're truly naive of its "offensive" nature? I'm not being snarky. We have a high Hispanic population here and I have seen many-an-Hispanic boob.


And lastly, I consider my whole darn body to be sexual, if you know what I mean, wink wink nudge nudge.

http://www.womansday.com/sex-relatio...s-zones-103643

No...but, it's not offensive in the hispanic culture. But, if they were visiting Uncle Jed in South Caroline, and she was sitting down to their dinner table, and just pulled her tube top down below both breasts, then yes. (especially if it's an older child who can sit at the table and eat his own dinner)

There's a happy medium. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. If you don't know the crowd you are in, just be discreet. If you do know your crowd, and you know it won't make anybody uncomfortable, let loose.

[youretooloud]

I also want to make a more serious comment on this. Breasts are sexual. But unfortunately they are also disproportionately sexual-IZED. For me personally, I find this another reason to increase exposure to "the truth." I have a 5 year old and 7 year old boy. Both have seen me nurse, occasionally see me naked, and see my friends nurse fairly regularly. I am so grateful for that. They will grow up knowing what real boobs look like. I limit their exposure to "the perfect body." No Women's magazines laying around, no TV with commercials, etc. THESE are the things that should be stigmatized. Instead, they're idolized. That's wrong. And it began with the oppression of boobs. (Hmm, that's one of the strangest things I've ever said...) As soon as we began covering up Nature's boobs, Society's boobs busted out. (Oh man, the puns, I'm on fire.)

One of the reasons p-o-r-n can be so detrimental to so many marriages is because it sets up an unreal expectation of what a woman should be. We are using The Media and The Internet as our kids' learning tools and examples to what is normal.

So do I think breast feeding in public is more about just feeding your child? YES. I believe it's about bettering our future generation. Assisting our boys in becoming men of integrity, and assisting our girls in becoming free from oppression. It sounds so dramatic when I put it that way, but... it's what I believe.

I completely agree. I think breast feeding in public is very important. I just don't think it's necessary to expose both breast at one time when you don't know the person who is two feet across from you. But, sitting on the couch with your friends, no big deal. Sitting at taco bell at your own table, no big deal, sitting on the bench at the mall, no biggie....just use one breast at a time.

[Evansmom]

Breasts are sexual!

Hands are sexual!

Lips are sexual!

Legs are sexual!

Get over it people!!! We use ALL our body parts when we have sex (at least I do). So what!?

I can't hold my kids with my hands just because I also touch my husband with them?!

I can't kiss my kids with my lips because I also use them sexually?!?!

Please. Breasts are sexual AND utilitarian just like the whole rest of our bodies. Get over it. End of story!

[just_peachy]

I completely agree. I think breast feeding in public is very important. I just don't think it's necessary to expose both breast at one time when you don't know the person who is two feet across from you. But, sitting on the couch with your friends, no big deal. Sitting at taco bell at your own table, no big deal, sitting on the bench at the mall, no biggie....just use one breast at a time.

I think this is how MOST women do it. But the ones that don't are the ones that are talked about, sensationalized, and looked down upon/idolized. I agree, it's a bummer that all of us normal nurse in public-ers are looked over, and the very small minority that are intentionally flaunting, stereotypes the rest of us. Lots of "movements" start with acts of rebellion and eventually even out. I hope this is one of them.

[bunnyslippers]

My feelings on breast-feeding in public are:
If your baby needs to eat, feed your baby. Please don't leave your boob out there for everyone to look at. I don't want to see it, and I don't think it is necessary. If you cover your bare boob, people will still know you are feeding your baby, and you are still getting your point across.

I remember my first day of college, I was sitting in class. We all had to give one fact about ourselves, and one woman next to me said, "I am ___, and I am a lesbian." I remember thinking to myself, "Why does that have to be what defines her?" I am a firm believer that the world needs all kinds of people. I am also a firm believer that our beliefs - religious, sexual, child-rearing, etc. do NOT need to be the defining factor of who we are. I do not think I need to see another person's boob, sexual preference, or political views crammed in my face to educate me or anyone else.

Personal choices are, and should remain, personal.

[CedarCreek]

No...but, it's not offensive in the hispanic culture. But, if they were visiting Uncle Jed in South Caroline, and she was sitting down to their dinner table, and just pulled her tube top down below both breasts, then yes. (especially if it's an older child who can sit at the table and eat his own dinner)

There's a happy medium. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. If you don't know the crowd you are in, just be discreet. If you do know your crowd, and you know it won't make anybody uncomfortable, let loose.

That last part...I lovethis you.
:hug:

[youretooloud]

I do not think I need to see another person's boob, sexual preference, or political views crammed in my face to educate me or anyone else.

I agree with that too.

I belong to a board (I never go there anymore) But, several mom's screen names are "Breastfeedingmom" or "Mark'swife" and I always think "Really? Mark's wife?"

When our kids were in sports, we all got a blinged out t-shirt from one of the moms that said "Jenni's mom" or "Sammi's mom"...it was a total joke but, we offended some woman who thought we were serious, and she went all "women's movement" on us. She kept saying "You should have your own identitiy!!! Your kids don't define you!!!" I was sure she want back to her SUV to make picket signs.

[just_peachy]

I agree with that too.

I belong to a board (I never go there anymore) But, several mom's screen names are "Breastfeedingmom" or "Mark'swife" and I always think "Really? Mark's wife?"

When our kids were in sports, we all got a blinged out t-shirt from one of the moms that said "Jenni's mom" or "Sammi's mom"...it was a total joke but, we offended some woman who thought we were serious, and she went all "women's movement" on us. She kept saying "You should have your own identitiy!!! Your kids don't define you!!!" I was sure she want back to her SUV to make picket signs.

::::::

I volunteer at my son's grade school every week. All the kids used to call me "Braedon's mom" but his teacher corrects them every. Time. I think it's cute they know me as Braedon's mom, and I think it's cute their teacher corrects them. It's all flattering to me. lovethislovethis

Also, how awesome that all the team moms are so tight-knit! So fun!

[AmyLeigh]

I also want to make a more serious comment on this. Breasts are sexual. But unfortunately they are also disproportionately sexual-IZED. For me personally, I find this another reason to increase exposure to "the truth." I have a 5 year old and 7 year old boy. Both have seen me nurse, occasionally see me naked, and see my friends nurse fairly regularly. I am so grateful for that. They will grow up knowing what real boobs look like. I limit their exposure to "the perfect body." No Women's magazines laying around, no TV with commercials, etc. THESE are the things that should be stigmatized. Instead, they're idolized. That's wrong. And it began with the oppression of boobs. (Hmm, that's one of the strangest things I've ever said...) As soon as we began covering up Nature's boobs, Society's boobs busted out. (Oh man, the puns, I'm on fire.)

One of the reasons p-o-r-n can be so detrimental to so many marriages is because it sets up an unreal expectation of what a woman should be. We are using The Media and The Internet as our kids' learning tools and examples to what is normal.

So do I think breast feeding in public is more about just feeding your child? YES. I believe it's about bettering our future generation. Assisting our boys in becoming men of integrity, and assisting our girls in becoming free from oppression. It sounds so dramatic when I put it that way, but... it's what I believe.

Yes, yes, and yes.

How many who are offended by public breastfeeding are equally offended by the amount cleavage and breast tissue on the Bravo network? That is the dichotomy I see in my area. Young women are practically exposing their entire breasts in the name of fashion, yet when I nurse in public, it's offensive. Hmmm, really?
As a disclaimer, I never exposed myself, but rarely used a cover other than my shirt. That called less attention to us than if I used a cover. And I had only 2 accidental exposures in the 6 years of nursing. I have had more accidental exposures due to "wardrobe malfunctions" outside of those years.

[Heidi]

So where's the argument here?

Seriously, most people (but not most of us here) will let their kindergartner watch CSI or violent movies, but if 2 people are rolling around in the sand or a woman is breastfeeding, it's "Avert your eyes lest they bleed".

Messed up priorities, IMO

[Heidi]

This is a german soap commercial from the 70's. Can you imagine the outrage here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfum30RWBI

[dave4him]

Okay um as a married male! I find it completely inappropriate to do right in public view, its an intimate moment between baby and mom. You kind of contradict yourself in your post anyway.