Author gets online hate for comparing public breastfeeding to ‘urinating in the street’ (VIDEO)
Author Virginia Blackburn has come in for some severe criticism online after she spoke out against breastfeeding in public, comparing the maternal act to anti-social behavior such as urinating in a public place.
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning show, Blackburn responded to a story about a woman being asked to leave a public swimming pool because she attempted to breastfeed her child.
“If you are in a public place, it’s not something that you necessarily want to see, and the very fact that it happens so often, that complaints are made, shows I’m not exactly alone in thinking this,” the author of several celebrity biographies argued.
Would you breastfeed in a swimming pool? Mums Natalie and Chloe were asked to leave their local pool for doing just that - and Virginia Blackburn not only agrees with the pool's stance... but takes it a step further! pic.twitter.com/85B36uxKd2
— This Morning (@thismorning) August 22, 2018
“It’s on a level with urinating in the street. You have a path that leads to increasingly anti-social behaviour and I’d say it’s on that path,” she added.
Blackburn also said that although breastfeeding is natural, there are many bodily functions that people do not carry out in public. She elaborated on her point in a piece in Express.
“Why should you suddenly and unexpectedly be forced to get an eyeful of some stranger’s secondary genitalia – because that is what breasts are – when you’re minding your own business on the bus or in this recent case, the swimming pool? This has always been the accepted norm – always,” she wrote.
The writer’s comments sparked a flood of reaction on social media, with numerous people expressing anger at her comparison.
Listening to Virginia Blackburn: “Breastfeeding is anti-social behaviour/likened to urinating in the street/where’s the consideration for others around you?/grossly disrespectful”Is this woman for real? What a disgusting individual. Vile. I’ve never been so angry😤#Thismorning
— Mrs A Dean (@MrsDeanDT) August 22, 2018
#Thismorning Virginia Blackburn is an absolute disgrace, her disgust at breastfeeding is her problem not anyone else’s. As a breastfeeding mother it worries me Virginia is likely to put other Mum’s off the most natural, and TOUGH, journey that is breastfeeding.
— Becki Brook (@beckidarlow) August 22, 2018
what an idiot! it’s people like virginia blackburn that makes breastfeeding a taboo. you should never feel ashamed for BF your child! #ThisMorning
— lyn (@pwyondlynfor) August 22, 2018
I am shocked & saddened at the view Virginia Blackburn takes on Breastfeeding. Her view is not helpful & archaic concerning the natural and healthy option mothers have to breastfeed their babies. @thismorning@NHSEngland#breastfeeding#virginiablackburn
— Timothy Howar (@timhowar) August 22, 2018
How can anyone compare breastfeeding in public to public urination? Imagine shaming women for doing something as natural as feeding their baby. Virginia Blackburn has me speechless after her segment,you should be made to eat your food in a unhygienic public bathroom. @thismorning
— bea (@sizzled_bean) August 22, 2018
Virginia BlackBurn... what a pathetic excuse for a women! "Breastfeeding in public is just as bad a urinating in the street" I have never heard anything so ridiculous in my life! Clearly this women is uneducated breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world! #ThisMorning
— Katriona Dobson (@treenadobson) August 22, 2018
There were some, however, who tweeted in support of breastfeeding, but not at a public swimming pool.
Health and safety is the issue here! BF is natural, policy is no feeding in pool so should be abided by just cos u can do something doesn't mean u should! Why would you want to feed a baby in a pee filled public bath? Use common sense bring a towel and use seating areas provided!
— Ros (@Rosalyn1806) August 22, 2018
No why would you. I’m pro-breastfeeding but you wouldn’t eat your sandwich in there or drink your coffee, if you’re baby needs to feed time swimming around it. You wouldn’t bottle feed a baby in there either 🙄🤷🏼♀️
— Sammie Jo (@sammiejo2311) August 22, 2018
I'm all for breastfeeding but seriously in a pool! So the baby gets some nice mouthfuls of chlorine and it also chances contaminating the pool with milk or even sick. What's wrong with getting out and sitting on the side? I'd say it's more about health & safety than anything!
— Wendy Thompson (@Truefubar) August 22, 2018
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