What is it with Americans and boobs?
I just finished posting a blog on the Adoption News page that included a bit from ABC on how some people view breast feeding in public.
Holy Victoriana, Boobman!
Four … count ’em FOUR … US states have laws on their books that make it illegal for a mother to openly provide comfort and nourishment to her child anywhere other than in her own home … and better she’s behind closed doors even there … or in a toilet cubicle should her baby need feeding while she’s out and about in the world.
Yes, to 57% of the American public putting breasts to their intended use is considered as unacceptable a spectacle as taking a dump. Seventy-two percent object to even having to witness the act on television, although I’ll assume they’ll make allowances for National Geographic documentaries on Namibian Bushman Tribes.
Here in Seychelles, boobs are everywhere. Not just the swaddled, strapped, perched, hefted and covered versions, but the bouncy, fleshy, stick-right-out-there … or hang-right-down-there, as the case may be … meet the twins, real things.
Bosoms are bared to feed babies on busses, at bus stops, in shops, along the road, in church, at funerals, while waiting in line at the bank, buying stamps at the post office and paying electric bills … basically anywhere babies get hungry.
It goes pretty much like this: baby fusses, mom opens her blouse, baby nurses, no one pays one bit of attention, except maybe to notice how cute the baby might be.
Tourists can’t wait to step out of their bras, too, as tanned tits are a prized souvenir of a Seychelles holiday. Beaches and hotel swimming pool decks are littered with matching sets of blistering boobs, and although application of sunscreen can get attention from any Americans in the neighborhood, no one else takes much from the process other than a prompt to renew their own film of protection.
Getting all het up over a couple of blobs of flesh-covered fat seems darned silly to most people in the world, especially when there happens to be a baby between the boob and what should be the casual observer.
It’s time to take the “tit” out of titillation, folks. In other words. GROW UP.
Here’s a link to information on breast feeding an adopted child. It includes another link to a bit about breast feeding fathers that some may find interesting.
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
Paradise Preoccupied 
breast feeding fathers?
Yep. Here’s the link.
http://older-parent.adoptionblogs.com/index.php/weblogs/breastfeeding-fathers-and-other-news
Here, here!!! GROW UP, America!!!!
Love reading your blog! Grow up is right–I nurse in public and am as discreet as possible, but my baby’s needs come first. I can give the “evil eye” as good as I get it! It is harder to deal with comments from extended family about “how long are you going to nurse that baby”, but they will get over it.
Sorry, Sandra, I must be a bonafide American, because I still would prefer if women would at least drape their shirts over their boobs. To me it’s kind of like taking a pee. Perfectly normal and natural and, of course, using the anatomy for it’s intended purpose, just a private thing. Maybe it’s my stuffy, Brittish upbringing? Maybe so, because it doesn’t bug me when my sister nurses my neices. Hmmmm, bears thinking about.
So, are we still friends? 🙂
Bosom buddies, Tisha. No worries.
Interesting that someone referred to their British upbringing as being stuffy. I find it all to be a conundrum because I find Brits to be very earthy in humor and in their media. Nude images are all over the place and far more compromising than anything I have ever seen here. Let’s not forget a wardrobe malfunction that had this country buzzing for weeks. A breast is a shameful thing! Americans, that is, those of the U.S. variety are becoming more and more sterile. Everyone must be sealed and separated from each other and it is getting quite ridiculous. I think the Brits should be relieved of their stuffy reputation and hand it over to the States!
Brits arent’ just earthy, Karin, they’re downright naughty! I recall seeing a TV show once that had a guy in a kilt pulling a woman in an office chair around by a tether attached to a ring in his foreskin. This wasn’t cable, or even late at night. And before anyone goes accusing the Scots of lewdness, the kilt was only for ease of access.
The Sun ‘newspaper’ … and I use that term loosely, has someone with her boobs on display on page 3 every day and it’s for sale everywhere and to anyone.
The US definately gets the stuffy award. I think the only place someone would be less likely to see exposed breasts is the Vatican.
A huge problem with the USA is that society tends to lead every woman in the thought that she needs to be perfect.
Sad really.
Have you seen today on the news how the media is going ape shit over Hillary’s supposed cleavage display….sigh.
Too funny…I just stumbled upon your blog while looking for info on the Seychelles. What a delightful surprise. Just thought I’d let you know I added you to my reader.
Thanks, Sylvia.