Friday, 13 January 2012
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Is Breastfeeding on Sesame Street Going Too Far?
Sesame Street can be a good learning portal for kids at times and other times it can be a flip of a coin. So this last time did they cross the line with a breastfeeding scene in an episode?
Sure it is still controversial topic no matter where you do it. There has been cases where women are not allowed doing it in a court room, Facebook has taken off many photos of it, and even stores and restaurants have thrown out women for doing so. There are cases where you see fewer boobs than you see on a cover of Sports Illustrated, so what is the big deal?
Back in the 70s and 80s Sesame Street talked about breastfeeding, nursing, like a normal and natural act that occurs during life and is just part of childhood. There was an episode from 1977, where a woman is breastfeeding her son and Big Bird watches. She simple explains to Big Bird that when first born all her son needed was milk that she produced herself from her breast and as he gets older and older new foods are introduced. Then there was even an episode where the well known character Maria breastfeed Gabi, and said how natural it was.
Since those times Sesame Street has veered away from those types of scenes, due to the mindset on breastfeeding in public. So many parents are now asking for the show to start doing these scenes again. Over 2,600 have signed a petition that is asking the television program to do just that. But there are still so many that are offended by it and feel that they should be showing a baby feed from a bottle and not the breast.
When people talk about things that are natural and normal but shouldn’t be shown on television, their only defense for breastfeeding being shown is that it is gross. To me what is so gross about it as long as the woman is polite about it and covers herself and baby up while doing it. Do I think you should do it right there at a restaurant table, well no but I wouldn’t be offended by it.
So the bigger question is: Do you think that Sesame Street should be talking about breastfeeding and educating children on nursing?
What you should think about, is the fact that many children were either breastfeed themselves or saw a baby being breastfeed, so in all reality they would see the incident as more familiar than no awkward feeling some may think they would get. I think the only awkwardness is for the parents as they may fear their child may start asking questions. What is wrong if your child does? Would it hurt to educate them when they are curious about something, but answering the question that they ask not going into more details than they ask for?
Do you or don’t you think that Sesame Street should touch base on this subject? Why?
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Comments (48)
I don't see the harm in it, but I think that there are many kids who grew up with multiple siblings so this would be kinda old news for them.
Yeah, I just DON'T understand why people find it so harmful for their child to see something so natural and nuturing! It's a baby eating a meal, for crying out loud. Why is that SUCH a big deal?
I wouldn't mind my child seeing it ANYWHERE, t.v, restaurant, mall, wherever the heck we are. Why? Because I think it's a great learning experience. She's not learning that breasts are solely a sexual object, that they serve another purpose.
I'd also like to see breastfeeding in public be MORE accepted. I don't see a problem with a mom breastfeeding a baby at table in a restaurant? Wow, the baby is eating just like everyone else, the horror!
People are so overdramatic about breastfeeding. It's seriously disturbing. There is NOTHING wrong with it.
Personally, I think it's ridiculous that people are so squeamish about it. It's not like the woman is saying "HEY, LOOK AT MY TIT!" I've never seen a woman, who was breastfeeding in public, just whip out her boob for the world to see. I've only seen breastfeeding woman do it very discreetly. I've seen more boob on billboards on the sides of interstates advertising for head shops and in commercials for Victoria's Secret bras.
Breastfeeding is 100% natural and the only reason people get so pissy about it is because there is a lack of information out there. People have been brought up to believe that boobs are purely for the pleasure of men, which is absurd. Boobs serve one purpose and that is to nourish our children. Does that mean every woman has to breastfeed or else their a bad mother? Absolutely not. But you cannot argue that fact that it is the healthiest thing you can do and it is completely natural.
If people would stop complaining over stupid things like this then everyone would be more exposed to these things. If we were brought up to believe that boobs are what they are - a tool for feeding a hungry child - then this wouldn't even be an issue. Society has conditioned us to believe that breasts are sexual objects. It's sad. Very sad.
The people seeing a woman breastfeeding aren't the only ones uncomfortable with POSSIBLY seeing some boob. The MOTHER also would feel uncomfortable if you saw a good portion of her boob. I accept that people have been brainwashed by society to think it's "disgusting". I wish it wasn't that way but unfortunately, it is.
I, personally, think it's great to have breastfeeding be introduced to people - like it has been on Sesame Street. Though I know there will always be those prudes out there that are going to try and fight it.
I think that the people at Sesame Street should do what they want to do.
I dont think introducing breastfeeding to a 6 year old will get them on the bandwagon when they become parents. Even these baby toys only work toward caring for babies to a certain point. If breastfeeding works then they'll use it. If they want to save money and pump while they have to work then ok. Im not going to pressure my 3 year old to breastfeed. I have other things to worry about before she gets to 18.lol. I think caring for infants is on the end of the list... I dont want her to think "it is easy" and get knocked up because "I LOVE babies and I babysit my baby sister all the time!" I'll make sure she has the "correct" view of children before she decides to get to be a baby-hungry young woman thinking she can work fulltime, go to college, maintain friendships, and still "enjoy" life. There is a lot of living to do before having children.... alteast I want there to be when before my kid gets to that stage in her life.
Going a little bit too far (Sesame Street has not been shown to my knowledge in the United Kingdom since the late 1990s) I live in the UK by the way.
they should. Like man other subjects, Sesame Street ingrains open-minded values into kids at a young age so they are more accepting in the future.
If I had kids, frankly I'd be more concerned about MTV than this. Breastfeeding is a normal part of raising a child. Anyone remember that 'Like a G6' video? When Erica Ocampo had her cleavage out and it just felt like it was waaay too much.
I'll be adopting my children so breastfeeding wont be something I'll do, nor will my wife, but if our children wanted to learn about babies and whatnot, say, my young child has a liking for those baby doll things (I find them uber creepy personally lol) then I would expect for him/her to learn, briefly, about the methods you can use to feed a child of that implied age. You don't squeeze 'em out and wheel 'em down to Burger King.
All in all, I think it's totally okay for Sesame Street to do this. Breasts are not the devil's playthings and should not be treated as such.
I don't really know how I feel about this... I have mixed feelings. I'm not so sure t.v. should be introducing something that the parents need to address.
Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy thing, and way more controversial subjects have been aired.
@mstigerfrogs@xanga - Hmm, may be valid but then again there are a million other things that t/v introduces to children that parents don't address first. Perhaps parents need to think more before putting their children in front of a t/v.
Sesame Street should do whatever programming they intend to do. Breastfeeding is natural, but parents should play a more active role in teaching these kinds of things to their children. It is not the responsibility of a show's writers to fulfill this task. However, if Sesame Street wanted to do a special in regards to breastfeeding, pregnancy, etc, they should. But instead of airing it on public television, perhaps they can post streaming video on their website so parents have a tool when it comes time to teach their children, and choose to show it to their child(ren).
@d639@xanga - I don't think it's a way to pressure people into breastfeeding... I think it's a way to show people there is nothing disgusting or disturbing about breastfeeding. To give Children an idea on how to react about it. That it isn't a big deal.
@raspbxrrryjam@xanga - How can you compare sex to breast feeding? I'm really trying to understand that train of thought how you can tie something like that together? Because if you think breast feeding is something sexual you are implying it is insetual and that's a pretty strange way of thinking...
@raspbxrrryjam@xanga - First off it was a question... There is no need to jump on personal attacks. You could have just simple said everything you said without trying to insult me when I in no way tried to insult you.
I didn't say that you strait out said it was sexual which is why I asked... Because I have been told by a few people that it was (and no I don't agree with that.)
And actually Sesame Street was always based on introducing and educating Children about different lifestyles and cultures. Breastfeeding has become a lifestyle choice...
Personally I think it is up to the production staff to chose to do it or not and if anyone has a problem with it they don't have to watch the show.
I agree some things should not be forced into other peoples homes but it is ultimately up to the parent to instill what is right for there family into there child. It is no one else complete responsibility... However just because you disagree with some one doesn't mean you have to be so nasty.
their family*
nom nom nom...
the real question is whether they will maintain the gender roles by having a women doing the breast feeding. honestly i'd laugh if they have the comedic taste to have a super muscular man in a speedo do it.
i think the sexual connotation of breasts needs to be forgotten; there have been more beautiful ideas, but none more ugly. everyone likes tits.
THis is why I show my son the old episodes of Sesame Street- they had it right back then, from showing breastfeeding to talking about Mr. Hooper's (real life) death in a totally age appropriate way. I had a lot of respect for the way the handled all of life's real issues.
i think it's a little bizarre, but there is nothing wrong about it. i just feel like there could be better, more relevant lessons taught at that age. *shrug*
@raspbxrrryjam@xanga - Sex is a very tricky thing to explain to a young child and always has to be age appropriate need to know info if the kid asks. It's not something a child NEEDS to know about necessary. Breastfeeding is pretty simple to explain ("I'm feeding the baby with my milk, just like I did with you when you were a baby") and likely be witnessed if the child has a younger sibling, since it is not nearly as private and intimate as having sex.
Not normally, but, seriously Sesame Street... isn't Luis a little old to still be suckling, and from Big Bird no less.
The people seeing a woman breastfeeding aren't the only ones uncomfortable with POSSIBLY seeing some boob.
Jewelry cardMetal labelFabric labelZip PullersBarcode label@lenybobsyouruncle@xanga - Most hilarious comment all day
Sesame Street needs to create an episode for the cry baby adults who still get their panties in a wad seeing a mother nurse her baby because they are afraid they might be reminded that a woman's breasts have a function that is completely different than simply being an object of pleasure for men.
Okay, I'm showing my age, but the woman breastfeeding her son is Indigenous singer, Buffy Sainte-Marie. I don't see anything wrong with Sesame Street showing a baby being breastfed. Sesame Street was always ahead of its time. Here's the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2RwZW2j3-U