Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Last week, a fascinating controversy erupted that is worth mulling over. According to an article in The Huffington Post, an American University professor, finding herself in a child-care jam because her baby was sick, took the baby to class, let the baby crawl around while she lectured, and then started breastfeeding when the baby got hungry. Evidently this act was hugely controversial.
Now we must admit that if there was a reasonable threat that the child was spreading disease, or if the professor was somehow unable to present the material because of the child, perhaps she should have made other arrangements. On the other hand, with regard to the latter concern, cancelling class would surely have disrupted presentation of the material more than lecturing with a fussy child. When one reviews internet comments on the incident, it becomes evident that many people have a visceral, negative reaction to what the professor did—despite the absence of any allegation that she failed to do her job adequately in teaching class that day. Apparently, many people take the view that her choice was per se unprofessional. The interesting question is, why?
Let me hazard a hypothesis: as a society, we are deeply uncomfortable with women in public. Hold on, you might say, what about feminism? What about the Nineteenth Amendment, what about civil rights law, etc.? I repeat my hypothesis, and now let me extend it: we have no problem with honorary men, i.e., pants-wearing persons with two X chromosomes, in public. What really bothers us is when a person with two X chromosomes engages in exclusively feminine activity like breastfeeding, while on the job—irrespective of whether the breastfeeding meaningfully disrupts what is going on in the workplace. In other words, we don’t like it when a woman combines traditional and modern roles.
If you are skeptical, let me offer some evidence. The two female politicians who received the most scathing criticism of late were Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. Both combined traditional and modern roles—Hillary Clinton by touting her professional background as a prospective first lady, and then running for the senate after being first lady, and Sarah Palin by having a child in office. By contrast, female politicians appearing solely in their modern, professional capacity (Barbara Boxer, Michelle Bachman); or political wives whom we associate almost exclusively with a traditional role (Laura Bush, Michelle Obama), do not find themselves on the receiving end of anything close the same negative attention. Controversy also swirled around former Massachusetts Acting Governor Jane Swift when she had children in office.
My point is not to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Sarah Palin (personally I am not a fan of progressive politics, on the one hand, or reality TV, on the other). Nor am I trying to editorialize on a right to breastfeed in the workplace. I just find the visceral negative reaction fascinating. It could be that there is good reason for our discomfort with the combination of traditional and modern roles on the part of women. There is nothing illegitimate about concern for the needs of children. Most of people, however, generally consider it appropriate to leave judgments about the needs of children to the children’s parents. And frankly, the ire over the professor bringing her baby to class is absurd.
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Comments:
Feb '11
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
I think you're avoiding Richard Finlay's point by taking it to the extreme. There's miles of ground between gawking and not looking at someone at all. I think Richard Finlay is right that looking at (not necessarily staring at) a breastfeeding mother would cause more offense than the same look at someone merely eating, walking, or whatever.
I don't think Israel is claiming to be disgusted by breastfeeding. When you characterize breastfeeding as mundane and unremarkable, you invite comparisons to other mundane and unremarkable activities. I think his point is that the mundanity of an activity says nothing about when and where such activity is appropriate, defecation being an obvious example.
Feb '11
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Are you intentionally ignoring the explicit distinction between accommodating/modest/discreet breastfeeding versus let it all hang out whenever and wherever breastfeeding?
Dec '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Misthiocracy
Misthiocracy
Joseph Eagar
.
( humans have) sex face-to-face...
Well sometimes
Dec '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Here's the difference: I don't think of a woman breastfeeding as bearing her breasts. Yes, some make an issue of it by deliberately bearing their breasts (almost as a dare for anyone to look), but that is far and away the exception to the rule.
Foxfier No, the one where you take care of your child in an unselfish manner with a simple cover-up and, if possible, a quiet room.
The one that objects to the "flip a boob out" mentality. And I use that phrasebecause that is what advocates of the method who I personally know call it.
I think we're in agreement here. There is a difference between taking care of business (which shouldn't be offensive) and making some kind of statement with "flip a boob out."
Aug '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Hey, it's all good. The kid got fed, and the students were distracted a bit and therefore learned a little less about "feminist anthropology". I call that a win-win situation.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
I have never had someone who actual came by me feeding one of my children have the least bit of an odd reaction.
I have, however, had folks freak out at the notion that I feed in public because of the "flip a boob" out people and their successful conflation of breastfeeding with being self-righteously rude. You can get angry at them for the folks who believe exhibitionism is the motive, because if you listen for about fifteen minutes you might start considering a drinking game around how many times they talk about "normalizing public feeding," "flipping out a boob is normal" and "raising awareness of the non-sexual nature of women's bodies."
If you are trying to "normalize" just "flipping out a boob," you're making a show of it to make a statement.
I don't care what some other country thinks is normal.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Ideally, yes.
However, they are the majority of the "breast feeding consultants" in both hospitals I've given birth in, and they're the ones who make waves.
My mom breast fed all of her kids, no problem-- the ONE time anything happened, it was an old cowboy that came over and flipped the blanket up to see me, not realizing that I was feeding. He handled it great, according to family lore, just say "well bless her hungry little heart" and chucking my cheek before flipping the blanket back and going back to his coffee.
I have thus far found ONE instance of someone objecting to a lady nursing discretely when there wasn't an option, and that was some 30 years ago. Every time I dig into the story behind "outrages," they end up being activists being jerks or making offenses out of nothing. (Like the Target thing.)
Aug '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Doesn't it seem a little too pat that a professor who describes herself as a 'militant medical anthropologist' and who is teaching 'feminist anthropology' would just happen to have a sick baby that required breast-feeding in front of the class on the very first day of school?
I think there's one aspect here that's been a bit overlooked: What mother would take a sick infant out of bed and haul it in to work with her? She describes the baby as having a fever. Babies with a fever need to stay in their crib and be monitored, not dressed up, taken on a bus trip, then hauled into a lecture hall to crawl around on the filthy floor.
If you read the article, it would appear that she wasn't even properly caring for it, as a student had to interrupt her at one point to tell her that her baby had a paper clip in its mouth. Yikes.
So whether it's unprofessional to bring your sick infant into work with you is debatable, I would say that she was guilty of using bad judgment as a mother.
Edited on September 21, 2012 at 2:05amDec '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
The question was, "is it unprofessional to breast feed at work."
Yes, I believe it is.
For lots of reasons, none of which have anything to do with my beliefs about breasfeeding, whether it is natural, disgusting, nice to see, healthy or environmentally sound. I happen to think breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, and the best thing to happen to any baby who's lucky enough to have a breastfeeding mother.
But, in almost every circumstance I can conceive of, one's children, especially infants, do not belong in the workplace, which is a place that I believe you go to to do a job, or advance your career, or both. Your employer is not paying you to babysit your children at your office, or your cubicle, or at your desk or in your classroom, and you should not take advantage of your position just because it may allow you to do that without much effort or discussion.
You are also putting your employer at risk of liability issues should you fall down stairs while carrying your baby, or should some other awful thing happen while you're baby's on site. No employer wants that. Sad, but true
Jul '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
L.T., this thread is awesome. It should be the entrance exam for Dave Brooks's Bobos seeking to enter their 'burban Paradise.
Do you go bourgeois? Whipping out your knockers while working is unprofessional. Duh.
Or bohemian? It's natural, beautiful, and miraculous, and what's with American prudery anyway?
As for me, I think it is unprofessional to chew gum while giving a lecture.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Ed G.
Are you intentionally ignoring the explicit distinction between accommodating/modest/discreet breastfeeding versus let it all hang out whenever and wherever breastfeeding? · 1 hour ago
Oh, I'm pro-discretion, but I don't like to beat that drum too hard because 1) I just don't know any women who intentionally flaunt themselves while breastfeeding, and it seems more myth than reality to me, and 2) it seems to me that many people's standards for discretion are unreasonable. I'm happy to look for a secluded bench or rummage in my bag for a blanket, but some people seem to think we should sit in a restroom stall for a 25-minute feeding, or drape ourselves (and our babies!) in a tent on a 90-degree August day, and that just doesn't seem right. Particularly once you have older children to deal with as well, it's not easy to keep up with everyone's demands on the discretion front.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Foxfier, I agree that it's rare for people to make a scene in public, but maybe we don't know the same kind of people, because the people I know don't use the expression "flipping out a boob", or talk about the non-sexual nature of women's bodies, but they do sometimes volunteer the "why can't women just pump and be done with this" line, and you note that a thread like this hardly ever gets ten comments in without someone suggesting that. (This one didn't.) Eventually someone gets around to comparing breastfeeding to something gross, like public urination (though the diarrhea and chamberpot comparison was the crudest I've seen), and a lot of people applaud (notice how that comment got nine "likes".)
What I'm saying is: they're afraid to make scenes about it, but a great many Americans are uncomfortable with public breastfeeding, even of the discreet, non-exhibitionist kind. And I think it probably has more roots in the anti-natural movements of our grandmothers' days (when women were often sold on the idea that breastfeeding was gross and that formula was better), not in a reaction against the exhibitionists.
Dec '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
This is a ridiculous question. Of course it's unprofessional to breastfeed a baby publicly in the workplace. Come on, people. Get a grip!
(Yes, I've breastfed, but never, ever, in a public place. Modesty was a wonderful thing. Too bad it's gone forever.)
Jul '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Rachel Lu
Ed G.
Are you intentionally ignoring the explicit distinction between accommodating/modest/discreet breastfeeding versus let it all hang out whenever and wherever breastfeeding? · 1 hour ago
Oh, I'm pro-discretion, but I don't like to beat that drum too hard because 1) I just don't know any women who intentionally flaunt themselves while breastfeeding, and it seems more myth than reality to me
But surely not in this instance, right? I mean the kid is at the walk-and-talk stage, not a newborn, and she's some crank gender grievance prof.
Forget the poop talk. She's giving a lecture, not typing a memo. Doesn't this rise to at least the level of cheeto-munching or a case of presentation fidgets?
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Ed G.
I think you're avoiding Richard Finlay's point by taking it to the extreme. There's miles of ground between gawking and not looking at someone at all. I think Richard Finlay is right that looking at (not necessarily staring at) a breastfeeding mother would cause more offense than the same look at someone merely eating, walking, or whatever.
Seems like a manufactured issue to me. Should you stop and gawk at a breastfeeding mother? No, of course not. Should you avert your eyes and hurry by? No, that would be equally silly. If you know her, can you say hello even though she's breastfeeding? Yes, and then of course you may look at her, though the primary focus of attention should be her face, as in any normal conversation.
What's the super-awkward scenario you have in mind? I don't see much here.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Perhaps you should talk to breastfeeding activists? I suggest La Leche League, though you might get a different experience if youdon't have an infant.
Two different cities, same sort of ladies. They are trying to do good, but it's a very real and current movement.
Incidentally, I'm afraid you're mistaken in your claim -- I did not make a statement about what threads like this contain. I have restricted my comments toface to face experience. If I went by online discussions, there are far more extremists who want to flip both boobs out without anyone being allowed to be offended. Probably a function of most women not caring enough to deal with extremists.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Palaeologeus
But surely not in this instance, right? I mean the kid is at the walk-and-talk stage, not a newborn, and she's some crank gender grievance prof. 3 minutes ago
I already said that she shouldn't try to give a whole lecture while watching a baby. I'm a little more sympathetic since it was the first day, and it always feels bad to cancel the first day, but I think I'd recommend showing up with the baby and saying, "Hello, welcome, here's the syllabus, and I'm so sorry but there's an emergency, so I'll record a longer lecture later and post it online for you to watch."
Maybe the breastfeeding thing was a ploy for attention. As you say, she's a gender studies prof, so, inherently suspicious. But I would also note that, although the child was old enough to snack on crackers or whatever, nursing is a special comfort to a sick or upset child, which may have been the reason she did it. My suspicion would be that the breastfeeding was just an effort to manage a tough situation, but, don't really know.
Apr '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Foxfier
Incidentally, I'm afraid you're mistaken in your claim --
Which claim? I'm just explaining why I came to the conclusion that a lot of Americans have serious issues with breastfeeding, the knowledge of which made me very uncomfortable doing it for a long time. Until I finally realized that I couldn't keep a 2-year-old closeted at home forever, so, people would just have to get over it.
Sep '10
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
Am I the only one that finds calling any "Race & Gender Studies" instructor a professional abhorrent?
Ditch diggers can at least create something tangible.
These people only exist to devour inflated college loans.
Jul '12
Re: Is It Unprofessional to Breastfeed at Work?
I have spent my life around women who breastfeed (discretely, mostly, but some less so) in public. I have absolutely no problem with that. But as to this question? I think this is absolutely, completely unprofessional. I supervise college teachers, and I cannot even comprehend someone doing something like this.
Also completely unprofessional behavior for an instructor? A male teacher teaching without a shirt on because syrup was spilled on it (as suggested earlier in this thread); eating while lecturing; bringing a baby or young child to class at all (if the child can entertain him/herself quietly, that's different); checking one's phone for emails/texts (as suggested earlier as a justification for why this is okay -- two unprofessional acts don't make a right); taking a phone call in class (unless it's a major emergency); coming to class late; keeping the class late; dressing like a complete slob or showing too much skin (male or female); etc.
None of this has anything to do with "discomfort with the combination of traditional and modern roles on the part of women" or an "idea that breastfeeding was gross and that formula was better".