Breastfeeding and Mothers

A few weeks ago, my lecturer for the module(Sex, Death and Social Processes) was discussing about breastfeeding and she asked the class why Singaporeans generally frown upon Mothers breastfeeding their babies in public. Some people felt that it's indecent as the breasts are bared. Then, my teacher said that the mothers generally cover their chest with a cloth when they are breastfeeding in public and Singaporeans definitely see more breasts when they walk down Orchard Road. She also said that one student felt that the nipple will be exposed and my lecturer countered by saying that the nipple is being sucked on by the baby and it's impossible for it to be exposed and moreover the cloth is covering the chest. I began to ponder hard why Singaporeans generally frown upon breastfeeding in public and i couldn't think of an answer.

Then, she said that society sees mother as a respectable figure. The society expects mother to behave in a decent manner and conduct herself well in a public whereas society does not really care about girls who flaunt their assests in public. In other words, it's ok for a girl to be a sex symbol but a mother can't be a sex symbol( I'm not equating breastfeeding with sex symbol but rather it's indecent for a mother to breastfeed a child in public).

I was dumbfounded by what she said and it began to make sense to me when i thought about it long and hard. The very next day, her so called theory proved to be true. When i was on my way back home, I saw a couple with two kids and the mum wore a midriff baring top with tight pants clinging to her body. I was thinking why is the mum wearing such clothing and what kind of message she is sending to her children and society and it suddenly hit me that what my lecturer told me did make sense now. We indeed view mothers as respectable figures and we frown upon their behaviour and their so called indecent dressing in public.

I guess our society(including me) will take time to change our mindset on this mother and breastfeeding issue.