by Desiree T.
Member since:
January 3, 2009

Facebook Users Protest Breast-Feeding Image Policy (from Fox news)

January 16, 2009 07:21 PM EST
views: 138 | comments: 31

What are your feelings on this? I personally think there is far worse out there and they should find things to do with their time.

 

Wednesday, December 31, 2008


A mass online protest movement is gathering pace after Facebook banned some breastfeeding photos from the social-networking Web site.

Angry mothers even picketed the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., in a live "nurse-in" to complain about a ban on photos of mothers suckling their children that exposed too much of the mother's breast.

Hundreds of women have had their pictures removed without warning and have been informed that they may be barred from using the site.

More than 80,000 people have joined a Facebook petition group called "Hey Facebook, Breast-Feeding is Not Obscene" with hundreds joining every hour.

More than 11,000 women from around the world took part in an online "nurse-in" protest on Saturday by posting more breastfeeding pictures. The protest's organizers reported that many have since had these photos removed from the site.

Facebook has said that it has no problem with breastfeeding but photos that showed nipples or areolas were indecent and had to be removed.

Barry Schnitt, a Facebook spokesman, said the Web site takes no action over most breast-feeding photos because they follow the site's terms of use.

"We agree that breast-feeding is natural and beautiful and we're very glad to know that it is so important to some mothers to share this experience with others on Facebook," said Schnitt.



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Comments: 31

Renita P. Jan 16, 2009, 7:25pm EST
Oh my goodness! There is nothing wrong with this picture! She is not exposing herself. You see a little bit of skin - certainly FAR FAR FAR less than you see on the beach any given day - and far less than you see with many dresses/shirts/etc I've seen on women in public! If her nipple were showing, I would say - ok, that's too much for a public photo. But it's a small amount of skin. Ugh. THIS is discrimination against breast-feeding moms....
Leah Christensen Jan 16, 2009, 7:36pm EST
All parts of the breast were on there for the purposes of feeding. That's like saying I can show the handle of my fork, but not the prongs!
Desiree T. Jan 16, 2009, 7:39pm EST
I totally agree! I am a HUGE breast feeding advocate. People complaining about that little amount of skin shown, is the reason why people are ashamed to nurse in public. Too often she will not attempt to breast feed at all!
Nellie (The Bad Santa of Gather) Jan 16, 2009, 7:58pm EST
some people....nothing wrong there
timi A. Jan 16, 2009, 8:02pm EST
there is actually nothing wron with the pic.every other thing is not disgusting but they say this is.they should mind their business,i guess they are jobless.i dont think breastfeeding is cherished here in the US.it is as if women are being forced to do something good with their breasts.

Some other women have breasts but when they see a mother doing the right thing they do as if they do not have a pair themselves.Go mothers do your children good!
Kim M. Jan 16, 2009, 8:12pm EST
I am not against breast feeding in public, but why would you want to post a close up of that. Personally that is something I would keep private. but that is my choice. the picture above does not show much to be banned.
Desiree T. Jan 16, 2009, 8:19pm EST
I don't feel anything is wrong with the picture either. Some would.
Anne Marie A. Jan 16, 2009, 8:21pm EST
I breastfed my children, but I would never post a photo of it on any website. I was never ashamed of breastfeeding my children, but I never exposed myself in public. You can nurse your baby and be discreet at the same time. Just my opinion, but I don't want to see anyone's naked breast regardless, that being said I don't think there is anything wrong with the photo above, I just wouldn't post it
Syn C. Jan 16, 2009, 8:35pm EST
Well, I actually agree with all of your opinions. I don't think there is anything wrong with the picture. I don't think it reveals too much of her breast at all. But I do agree with Kim as well. But posting something like that on a public website you are opening yourself up to quite frankly, a lot of pervish people coming out of the wood work. Why subject yourself or your children to that?
Desiree T. Jan 16, 2009, 8:38pm EST
I respect your feelings Anne. I personally wouldn't post a picture of it either. I have nursed all my children (in fact, right now) and am always as discreet as possible.

I just know I am get on facebook and see way more breast than that, having nothing to do with breast feeding. It's sad what some people feel is appropriate, yet something like this is judged at a higher scrutiny.
Cholette W. Jan 16, 2009, 8:42pm EST
I agree with anne marie. I also breastfed my children. But, I would not expose myself in public, nor would I post this. I guess I am just a more private person, and more picky about who sees my body. But, I am not bothered by this picture, I just don't see the point.
Desiree T. Jan 16, 2009, 8:53pm EST
I am a private person as well.

I just can't see banning photos like this.
Lin B. Jan 16, 2009, 9:24pm EST
Things that make you say Hummmmmmmm

Emoticons Comments

Spicecomments.com - Emoticons Comments
Lune Wolfsong Jan 16, 2009, 9:55pm EST
I find offensive the policies of sites where "sexy" photos are allowed that show as much or more than the pic above, yet the breastfeeding photos are discriminated against. It's a very screwed up double standard. I'm not much of a crusader, but just find the need for protests like this pretty archaic. Like, we have girls gone wild commercials that are more risque than that, can't we all just get over our shock about how babies eat already?
Desiree T. Jan 16, 2009, 10:38pm EST
Well said Lune!
Cynthia T. Jan 17, 2009, 12:25am EST
I don't see anything wrong with this picture, the baby looks beautiful, my eyes aren't even drawn to the breast. What about those pictures of women in bikini's or low shirts showing off their cleavage. I've seen alot of worst picts, its ridiculous. Now as far as me, i wouldn't take a picture of myself breastfeeding and put it out for the public to see. But I think that its wrong what they are doing.
Walker Bennett, SF Author Jan 17, 2009, 8:39am EST
I couldn't find the protest group to join, but I'll keep looking.

Every single one of my kids were breast fed and it did wonders for their health.
ashley a. Jan 17, 2009, 8:41am EST
I don't see anything wrong with that pic. I think facebook should take off all the pics of young girls in tiny tops if they are going to ban a pic like that.
Desiree T. Jan 17, 2009, 8:42am EST
Seems like we feel the same way. There is nothing wrong with the picture, but we wouldn't feel comfortable posting it for public view.

Thanks for all your input everyone.
Lune Wolfsong Jan 17, 2009, 5:22pm EST
In response to Walker's comment:

Here's a direct link to the group if it's still needed: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2517126532.
Desiree T. Jan 17, 2009, 5:50pm EST
Thanks Lune. I had actually joined the group yesterday morning. There were 32 members when I joined and no posts at all. So I didn't even think it would make a difference to post it here.

I was just there...they now have over 179,000 people! That's amazing.
Ruth Luce Jan 17, 2009, 8:45pm EST
Preposterous! Don't want kids exposed to the natural purpose of the human femal breast? Please, yet, it's okay those photos I have shoved in my face on those same sites of the little rears with thongs, etc. Who decides these things?
Desiree T. Jan 17, 2009, 8:48pm EST
LMAO Ruth, how right you are! Thanks.
Denise W. Jan 17, 2009, 11:31pm EST
Thank you for sharing
Tamara L~will view, may comment~ S. Jan 19, 2009, 10:09am EST
Ha. Ha. Ruth does make a good point.
Really, I saw nothing obscene with the photo you posted above.
Melissa V. Jan 22, 2009, 1:11am EST
Absolutely nothing wrong. I personally wouldn't want a picture that close up of my breast posted, but I'm a pretty private person. I'd say if the woman in the photo doesn't care and she's not flaunting her entire breast, who are we to judge? Heck, you can see more breast THROUGH most teenagers shirts these days
Dana W. Jan 28, 2009, 1:05pm EST
polo is right here
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Jan 28, 2009, 1:09pm EST
marco is having fun being late today
ummm, no comment ~ HH#10
Connie L. Jun 15, 2009, 10:57pm EDT

This type of thing does not bother me
Abby N. Jun 30, 2009, 10:24pm EDT

I think the problem is not the breast feeder, it is the mind of the person who views this something wrong or dirty when it is feeding another human being the way God intended.  I don't see the same people complaining when a baby is not attached and that part of the body is exposed!

I always had the baby's blanket covering that part  and still people complained, when they saw absolutely nothing.

When breastfeeding, many babies refuse bottles.  I wouldn't go as far as to post a picture of myself but if someone else so chooses, I see nothing wrong with it.

I can think of far worse things I see and hear on the internet.

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