Breastfeeding Persuasive Speech

Let me begin with this. Public breastfeeding is NOT exhibitionism. It is simply the act of feeding a baby. Nonetheless, women are still facing widespread discrimination in public for doing so.

In Australia, it is actually illegal to discriminate against a person either directly or indirectly on the grounds of breastfeeding. Yet, this still occurs to nursing women on almost a daily basis, and perpetrators are receiving no more than a ‘slap on the wrist’.

Hence, the Australian government should put more effort into encouraging breastfeeding mothers to feed their child unapologetically and without the ‘dirty looks’ of others.

With a one in four people believing that the idea of breastfeeding in public is unacceptable, there is no wonder why that nursing mothers often

encounter unfair intolerance.
More than 20% of mothers are experiencing discrimination in the workplace due to breastfeeding, and it is about time that more is done to stop this inequity.

Society needs to grasp onto the concept that there is a massive difference between a women opening her bra to feed her child and her ‘whipping it out’ to attract the attention of men and for others to look it. Women do not want you to look at them while they’re nursing and quite frankly, the fact that some people in society think that the sight of a women’s breastfeeding their child, gives them the permission to openly insinuate that she is being too ‘sexual’ and ‘traumatizing others with her nudity’ is depressing. Really.
It wasn’t always like this. Prior the 20th century, western cultures did not see the act of nursing a child as uncommon and unremarkable, women were able to freely express milk to their child in private and public because it was common knowledge that ‘breast was best’, Three words which are still frequently heard nowadays.
So why is breastfeeding still viewed so differently in society today? In a modern society where acceptance and equality is strived for all, why are those who breastfeed still receiving such injustice?

The real problem is that we are a society awash in the sexualisation of breasts. Their ‘sex appeal’ is constantly used to sell products, make film and television more appealing and entice people to men’s sporting events.
Because of this, women and men are driven to believe that, anytime they have their breast visible, they are doing something sexual. In a way, women have become the passive recipients of sex acts and not agents who decide when and where to make use of their bodies, taking away their rights to self-determination and freedom. Framing women as sex objects has become an act of power and so has the act of shaming women nursing in public.
However, at the root of this social problem is the belief that a women’s sexuality is bad and dangerous. A women’s sexuality is framed as possessing the power to corrupt men and boys and make them lose control. Implying that is should be hidden from the public eye and only expressed when invited by men.
Being made to feel indecent, scandalous and lewd for breastfeeding public, vulnerable mothers are actually choosing to give up expressing milk altogether and giving their child what is most beneficial for their health and growth.

Moreover, breastfeeding mothers who DO choose to breastfeed in public are too often confronted by others and told to cover up what they are doing. Covering up implies that there is something inappropriate about feeding a baby when in reality there is not. I mean, you don’t see people eating at restaurants with a blanket over their head, so why should a baby be forced to eat in a claustrophobic and dark environment. A baby exerting their right to eat is not offensive, and neither is the act of breastfeeding.

Subsequently, If feeding mothers are constantly discriminated in public places, then what message is this sending to the children of future generations?

That it is okay to see breasts sexualized in the media but no okay to see a mother exerting her child’s right to be fed? If children are going to have any exposure to breasts, then it should be of their primary function of nurturing, and not its ‘sexy’ purpose.

Breastfeeding is a process that requires learning, support and encouragement, and women should not be discriminated against for this emotional and natural action. Thus, it is crucial that the government enforces harsher punishments to those breaking the law by discriminating against breastfeeding mothers, and create even stricter policies to prevent it from occurring at all.

Silent laws alone are not enough to protect social rights of breastfeeding women!

Breastfeeding is a nonsexual and nurturing bond between a mother and her child and not the business of anyone else. As a society, we must offer protection for these vulnerable and cherishing mothers and create a welcoming and comfortable climate for them to feel empowered. Let’s put an end to this mother of all battles. Thank

you.