An Oklahoma Bill Authorizes Breast-Feeding in Public:
Mothers would be allowed to breast-feed their children anywhere in public under a bill approved Thursday in the House of Representatives.
The House voted 96-2 in favor of House Bill 2102, which states that mothers who breast-feed in public are specifically exempt from any violation of public indecency laws.
"It basically says that a mother may breast-feed her child anywhere in public that the mother is otherwise allowed to be," said House author Rep. John Carey, D-Durant.
The bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, also exempts breast-feeding mothers from jury duty.
An entirely sensible piece of legislation.
With our sex-saturated, sex-obsessed culture, it's about time we were made to confront the primary function of a woman's breast.
But there's always the kook-factor:
Rep. Carolyn Coleman, who voted against the bill, questioned why a provision was removed that would require mothers to breast-feed in a "modest and discreet" fashion.
So, can we demand that Rep. Coleman eat her meals in a "'modest and discreet' fashion."?
"Can a mother not go into a restroom or a car?" said Coleman, R-Moore.
Sure, Ms. Coleman. And the next time you go out for dinner, we'll insist you take your meal into the bathroom or your car.
Sheesh.
Posted by Clifton at May 13, 2004 06:34 PM | TrackBackWhen my daughter was around 4 months old, we took she and her older brother to an amusement park smack dab in the middle of "Amish Country" PA. I was breastfeeding Ana at the time and looked for "discreet" places to nurse. Until, that is, I saw several Amish women walking around nursing. And I thought, "why should I be ashamed to do something God meant for me to do." After that, I stopped worrying about discretion and didn't sit on uncomfortable and smelly restroom floors to nurse.
Bravo OKIES!
Posted by: Laura at May 14, 2004 07:12 AMYikes! Dirty bathroom floors?!
I'm not a woman, but if I were, I'd have some profane advice for those who'd suggest I breastfeed my child in, of all places, a public restroom!
It seems everyone gets their knickers in a twist about the mother's breast. Shades of Fruedian projection! Hasn't anyone considered the obvious: THE CHILD NEEDS TO EAT! Where do all this breastfeed-o-phobics eat their meals? On dirty bathroom floors?