In news that will make you groan, people STILL get upset about women breastfeeding in public places. In Terre Haute, Indiana, for example, one young woman was publicly shamed by a man who took a photo of her (without her knowledge, yuck) breastfeeding in a T.G.I Friday’s. He then uploaded it to Facebook and Instagram.
Alongside the photo, the man wrote, “I went [sic] to know if this is appropriate or inappropriate as I’m trying to eat my Fridays, there are little kids around… I understand feeding in public but could you at least cover your boob up?” The man then asked for “input” regarding the situation. Come on, dude. Breastfeeding is what breasts are for. If you don’t want to see a breastfeeding mother’s breasts, don’t look at them.
Conner Kendall, the owner of the breasts in question, gave a lengthy and totally awesome response, all of which you can read here. She says:
“I strongly encourage you to educate yourself as well as your daughter about breastfeeding. Breasts are meant to be used to feed our young. It is society that has sexualizes [sic] them. Children do not sexualize breasts until they are taught to do so. I pray that if in the future your daughter chooses to breastfeed that she is not shamed and does not have her picture plastered all over social media.”
Kendall’s response has been shared over and over again on Facebook, attracting support and solidarity. Breastfeeding is completely natural, and it should be a mother’s decision as to when and where it happens. We hope that women like Kendall will help us to have the final say in the matter.
Images via Facebook, blogs.trb.com
