Tell them not to "get upset" if someone stares while they do it.
I know a guy at the VFW is fascinated by it and watches every time he sees it.
He says the cops have given him a hard time about it.
If it becomes a "right" to do in public, then standing and watching them should be no more offensive than watching someone excersize their "right" to smoke in public.
PUBLIC OPINION > Public Breastfeeding Should Be a Civil Right
SodaHead Living
2012/04/09 13:00:00
In 1999, Congress passed a bill that permitting women to breastfeed on Federal property, and as of 2009, 47 states have laws in place specifically permitting breastfeeding in public. However, despite the government's attitude toward the practice, it has frequently been met with resistance by establishments that are not comfortable with it -- restaurants, airlines, retail outlets. Now a group of Seattle mothers are trying to sponsor a local bill to make public breastfeeding a civil right, placing it in the same category as racial and gender discrimination. We asked the public if that would be a good move.
If Seattle courts are on the same page as the general public, it should be a no-brainer. Most people would like a law in place that makes it impossible for establishments to ask mothers to breastfeed outside or cover up. However, many respondents, even those who voted "Yes," pointed out that it's not difficult to bring a blanket. One commenter wrote, "I understand that it's a natural thing, but women could use some courtesy and put a blanket over said boob."
Conservatives Hesitate
A lot of voters seemed concerned that a woman's right to breastfeed might be compromised if it's not made a civil right, but conservative voters weren't so sure. This is probably because conservatives feel making it a civil right would infringe on an establishment's right to tell a woman to cover up.
Different Without Children
Parents generally voted along with the overall opinion, but among those who didn't have kids, there was a clear division. Respondents who wanted kids eventually were 5% more likely to support public breastfeeding as a civil right, while those who didn't want kids were 11% less likely.
Young People Don't Mind
Believe it or not, the youngest voters were most likely to support making public breastfeeding a civil right -- about 9% more than the overall. It could be that younger people lean left politically, but it's an interesting stat nonetheless.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about public breastfeeding. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
-
Mr Wayne 2012/04/09 13:38:40
They usually took bottles with them.
I NEVER saw an infant publicly breastfeed growing up, at family events, yes.
I thought you were someone else.
I hadn't read your previous posts when I posted & didn't look close enough at your avatar.
My rant was not intended for you.
Staring is not something one can legislate any more than a baby's need to be fed.
Edit: Sufficed to say, I have yet to run into someone where noticing that they're staring, and making it evident, doesn't make them stop.
Sure you can. Why couldn't you? It's your right to get mad. Say your having a conversation on a payphone, someone walks up and stands like 3 feet away from you just staring and listening to every word you say. Get mad if you like. Tell them to move along, give them a dirty look, yell at them, etc. And if they continue and it's extreme enough, there are harrassment laws...