Common Practices We Need to Stop

Nowadays everyone has Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media. We're all used to seeing articles of people being offended one way or another. For a long time women have been told what to do, where to go, and what time our husbands or boyfriends want their food ready. Well recently a new trend of shaming breast feeding mothers has appeared. Mothers in public areas are being told to leave or to stop breast feeding their child.

I would like to make something very clear to anyone willing to read/ listen. Feeding your child is probably the most important task you have. Breast feeding is feeding your baby. When they get older breastfeeding turns into baby food. And baby food turns into "real" food. It's a cycle, not a choice. Whether you choose to breast feed or not, it's still nourishing the life you created.

I used to work in a popular grocery store, in a few different departments, and I would always see mothers feeding their children, whether natural or not. When I was working in the floral department, which is a slightly less public area of the store, a mother come up to me and asked if the store had any policies again breast feeding in our store. It was nice of her to ask but completely unnecessary and I was shocked that she felt the need to ask. You're feeding your child, does not matter if you're doing it naturally or through a plastic wrapper, you need to feed your child. And that's what I told her, "Not that I'm aware of, even if there was I would not say anything to you. You need to feed your child." So I moved on with my work and she walked around the department feeding her baby. I was really annoyed that so many WOMEN were staring at her like she was beating her child, not feeding her baby.

One woman had the nerve to complain to me. Saying it is public nudity and I need to ask her to leave. I said, "Ma'am our store does not have a policy to kick out mothers feeding their children. I noticed you giving your little girl a really unhealthy candy snack, bribing her to keep quiet. This mother is feeding her child, just naturally. It's the same thing. She has a blanket covering herself and the baby. I have no right to tell someone not to feed their child, just like I have no control over you feeding your child sugary garbage that will make her even more hyper. I do not judge you so how about you do not judge this woman? And if it's really that offending to you, please leave or contact the police for public nudity." I turned around and continued working. I could tell the woman was deciding whether or not to call management over and she decided against it. Probably her common sense kicking in. When the mother had finished breastfeeding she thanked me and continued her shopping. She even looked slightly apologetic. WHICH IS INSANE.

I've never understood how mothers, or women, can find breastfeeding inappropriate. If you are a mother and your child comes to you asking for a snack or dinner, you feed them. If your baby cries for food, you feed them. The only difference is the type of food. All people were babies once, how would you feel if you were asked to leave a store, restaurant, or wherever just for feeding your child? It's not fair and should not be treated like it's a crime.

Mothers shouldn't feel uncomfortable or worried that they might be asked to leave. In fact it's legal in all but 3 states to breast feed in public. And Idaho is the only state that has no laws protecting breastfeeding mothers. In South Dakota and Virginia mothers are exempt from public nudity laws. So if you ever see a mother being sneered at or shamed for breast feeding in public, make sure to remember that.

Whether you like it or not, breast feeding in public is perfectly legal and you cannot ask a mother to stop or leave because of it. Have some respect for the woman who is taking care of another human being, which is hard enough with out people coming around telling them they're indecent.

Indecency is going to a school event in a bikini and trying to make it seem like an actual outfit. Shaming women has become the norm and I would like it to stop.

Another outrage lately has been "coding" girls in school. Most of the dress codes for school can be found in their handbook. However school officials are taking it into their own hands. I'm all for sending kids home if they're violating school rules/ codes, it's just getting ridiculous. And I've noticed that no boys are getting sent home for not wearing a shirt to practice or during P.E. class. Nobody is getting upset over that. It's a gender issue, not a school issue. If a girl is wearing a tank top and shorts, it's an issue because the shorts are too short and the tank top is too revealing. I completely understand. School is for learning and nothing else. However some girls are getting sent home for barely, if at all, breaking the code. Saying the girls are a "distraction."

How about we teach our children respect, morals and communication? Respect the fact that women are not objects to be distracted by. Women don't dress up for anyone else but themselves. Women like to feel and look good, just like men. We don't do it to be objectified. Respect the fact that boys aren't always going to be tough and strong. Men aren't just men. They have feelings and opinions. Teach your kids to have morals. Morals like telling the truth, not to judge and having integrity. Communication is so important. If someone is wearing something that's offending you, you should be able to voice that concern. Nobody should go to school and feel uncomfortable. That goes for boys and girls. No boy should be uncomfortable because of someones clothes, jokes, or opinions. And no girl should feel uncomfortable because of jokes, bullying, or someone's version of the right clothes to wear.

Don't judge other based on an outside view.