It's no secret women are often shamed, harassed, and discriminated for breastfeeding in public. Recent social experiments and satirical YouTube videos like the one displayed below, unveil the common opinion society has on women who simply want to feed their child. Of course, there are additional attachments when women breastfeed — some people see the act as inappropriate, sexually suggestive, and/or downright disgusting.

I believe the treatment breastfeeding mothers often receive, is completely exaggerated and disproportioned. I understand breastfeeding isn't something the public would want to see. It can be both unfamiliar and uncomfortable for people, thus, explaining why some act in a defensive and argumentative manner towards nursing mothers. Breastfeeding shaming isn't only heartbreaking, but incredibly ironic. America seems to be more accepting of breasts as sexual objects, but as soon as a woman wants to breastfeed her child in a nonsexual way, the public freaks out, and shames her for wanting to feed her child. Everyday we see women exposing their breasts through tight fitting tops, billboards, Carls Jr commercials, Victoria Secret stores, and even bikinis worn at the beach, yet no one complains about that. If the public wants to point fingers at things they think are inappropriate, they should really reevaluate their own thought processes. Because people may not see someone breastfeeding on an everyday basis, they automatically connect breastfeeding to something that's improper, and sickening. That very act that may be seen as improper and sickening, is actually a form of survival for infants. Nursing is how infants get their nutrients, its very much natural, and not something that should be shamed. Even if breastfeeding is unfamiliar to you, it shouldn't be a reason you harass a woman who's trying to feed her baby.

This controversy exposes how our very own selfishness, can blind us from realizing that their are for more inappropriate things in our society than breastfeeding. I understand seeing someone breastfeed isn't always the most pleasant thing to see, however, most women use a blanket to cover up anyways. Of course, I believe there are certain limits as to where a woman should breastfeed in public, and how they do it. Using a cover up is perfect compromise of remaining modest, while still being able to feed your child.

Ultimately, breastfeeding isn't the real issue here, it's the way America picks and chooses what they identify to be inappropriate. Something natural shouldn't be seen as sexual. Lingerie models who are half naked, or people that dress in a risqué way should be the ones shamed, that's if you really want to be pointing fingers at people. Mothers have to feed their infants, and if they have to do it in public (with moderation of course), then we should let them.