West End letters: Breastfeeding | Angel Daden | contempt

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 11 September 2009

Contempt and breastfeeding

I CHALLENGE the assertion that feeding a child on the mother’s breast is forcing anyone into a position of voyeur, tantamount to an intrusion on sex or masturbation (Contempt of feeding in public, August 28).
Every mother and father deserves support care and understanding during a time of such a big life challenge and change. Society and communities as a whole have a responsibility for this, which includes being aware of the negative effect of expressing such perverse opinions.
Thankfully, there are many groups, organisations, private businesses and public spaces working hard to create a supportive and welcoming environment so women can feel safe and confident to breastfeed their children in peace. This support extends to the understanding that when a child needs feeding, it needs it now and the woman needs to feel comfortable.
If you want to help, then please do not stare as if the woman’s objective is to contemptuously and narcissistically molest you with a “show”, as no family deserves to be subjected to that.
Most probably what is on her mind is “thank goodness my child is being fed and can someone please fetch me a large glass of water”.
Name and Address Supplied

THE notion that breastfeeding should be private is a peculiarity of western culture.
I am appalled that Jacqueline Castles (August 28) sees fit to dump it into the same category as urination and sex. Ms Castles only finds it disgusting because she has not been brought up with it; anyone from those parts of the developing world where it is commonplace would be astonished and mystified by her attutude.
Has she any neck muscles, or does each sight of this awful vision give her such a paralysing attack of the vapours that she cannot swing her head around and look the other way?
Teresa Stokes
Orsett Terrace, Bayswater

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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