Jan 04 2009
Facebook and Breast Feeding
Well it seems as though Facebook is in the hot seat. It has censored pictures of Mothers who are breastfeeding and displaying their photos on their profile pages. Facebook is saying that the photos are obscene and goes against their terms of service. Evidently months ago Myspace claimed the same so these women hopped on over to Facebook.
To be honest I have never read the terms of service for Facebook. I guess I should have since I have an account there but I usually cannot be bothered with those things. I should have while researching this story but again, I’m having one of those days and can’t be bothered.
I would like to comment on this situation. First there is absolutely nothing wrong with women breastfeeding in public. We see it all the time and it is just a natural occurrence. That being said however, I would like to know why women would want to display the photos of them breastfeeding all over the Internet. I don’t like putting my regular photo on the profile for security purposes let alone one where I’m breastfeeding for the entire world to see. I just don’t get it, at all. Are these women doing this to incite anger and ridicule, are they making a statement? I’d like to publicly ask these women why?
They have all come together and formed the Facebook women breastfeeding group.
This tug of war should be interesting.
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I’m with you on the breastfeeding photos online. Why? It appears to me that the only reason you would post a picture of yourself breastfeeding for the world to see is to incite anger. I don’t post pictures of myself all over the web either, for privacy/security reasons. Yes, they breastfeed in public, but why publicize it?
I come from a country where breastfeeding in public would be considered offensive, obscene even. I understand the women of the Western world who want to not be made to feel awkward or ashamed of doing something that is natural, joyous even. But if you’re in-my-face about it, challenging me to look, challenging me to turn away from the sight of the breastfeeding, I wonder if you’re doing it in public because your baby really needs the nourishment right there and then, or if it’s a passive aggressive way of getting attention, of wielding some illusion of power over others. And the move to the ‘net is just another manifestation of this behaviour.
well, that’s my 2 cents, anyway :p
I would have to agree. It is one thing to choose to breastfeed in public but please do so with dignity. In times past women would cover themselves and the baby up with a blanket and do what is necessary to get done. But now adays it has become common place to just whip it out and let the whole world see. But to do it for millions of folks to look at on the internet, to me it just sounds like a different form of in your face pornography.
I breastfed my sons and certainly support a mother’s right to
breastfeed - and a child’s right to eat when he is hungry -
also, if you’ve ever breasfed, you know that breast milk will
flow when your baby cries, often leaving you with a wet circle
on your nicest outfit if you don’t get to the task of nursing
soon enough and it can be uncomfortable for the mother to delay too long. I tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, however, in my task, choosing not to flaunt my pendulous
mammary glands for all the world to see. I just found that to be
a nice personal time between my child and myself. With a shawl, it was very easy to accomplish the task, often with no
one being the wiser. It’s been done this way for centuries.
Except in aboriginal tribes that go bare breasted, it seems to
me that it is more appropriate to adapt to the culture that you
are living in, out of respect…but, then, that is my opinion.
This is a big issue in the UK and Europe and to a lesser extent in the USA.
I’m not a mother, but one of my best friends has twins less than a year old. She is definitely pro-public breastfeeding, I’ve been unembarassed to sit with her in a coffee bar when she has done it, and she is quite possibly in this group. I don’t use Facebook or similar so I don’t know.
I agree it is a cultural thing and there are countries that women can’t even show a bit of face, foot or ankle without getting arrested. In the UK, young women go out in very short skirts and other revealing clothing all the time, it’s very normal here. If I was going to a Muslim country on holiday, I would respect their traditions and culture and cover up when appropriate.
However from a UK perspective, why is it OK for mens’ magazines with naked women on the covers to be all over our bookshops and news-stands, where young children can see them, but not OK to perfom a natural act like feeding your child. Hypocritical nonsense! What these women are rebelling against is the over-sexualisation of the female body, don’t misunderstand or label it otherwise.
This is a bit of gross stupidity by both Myspace and Facebook and I think in time they will back down. If you object, you don’t have to visit or join those groups or websites.
While I am not against breastfeeding in public I just find it curious as to why these mothers would want their photos posted on a public forum. It seems in your face to me. Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting
I think it is sexy. It is like a little ray of sunshine when I’m just sitting somewhere and a woman starts breastfeeding. I know they are not doing for my benefit, but I call it a win-win.
Justaguy - lol just what I’d expect from just a guy.