Come on, Facebook...Gimme a Break!
Hey, I'm the first to admit to being a complete Facebook junkie. I have over 500 "friends" and log on, mostly to procrastinate, about 10 times a day. I play Scramble. I have snowball fights with my friend, Jamie. I have my let-it-all-hang-out IM conversations with my friend, Kevin. I check in every night with my Trumbull High School and Skidmore College class pages, just in case there's someone I missed. But I have to say, in the last week or so, I've been a bit bummed out...Personally and professionally, I'm a bit turned off and may be bordering on breaking up my relationship with the site.
Recently, many moms on Facebook noticed that pictures of themselves breastfeeding their babies had been flagged for removal. They formed a group called “Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding Is Not Obscene!” (and of course, I joined!) to protest a policy that prohibits members from uploading any content deemed to be “obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit,” which, ridiculously, is how these pictures were viewed. One of the group's founders, Stephanie Knapp Muir, says the company’s policy is discriminatory towards women. She states, “If they were removing all photos of any exposed chest — male or female — in any context, at least that would be fair, but they’re targeting women with these rules. They’ve deemed women’s breasts obscene and dangerous for children and it’s preposterous."
In a lame attempt to justify the policy, Barry Schnitt, a spokesperson for the company says, “We think it’s a consistent policy. Certainly we can agree that there is context where nudity is not obscene, but we are reviewing thousands of complaints a day. Whether it’s obscene, art or a natural act — we’d rather just leave it at nudity and draw the line there.” Hmmm.
Muir countered Schnitt's response by expressing that she understands how hard it is for Facebook to deal with millions of photos. "[However], they need to be more discerning as to what they’re classifying as obscene. It’s highly offensive to mothers and babies to be lumped in as true obscenity.” Amen.
So what should those of us who are Facebook-obsessed do to protest? Maybe we can start a sister site, Breastbook...Thoughts? Join me in my forum to talk about this!
Comments
Hey, I’m all for breastfeeding and for all its benefits..but seriously folks, who wants to see nipples on Facebook.. uggh. I visited a close friend’s page recently and there it was, a picture of her HUGE nipples with her baby grasping onto one of them (with milk spray might I add) totally gross.. TMI!!!!whats even worse, is that it was added to the minifeed.. which was not that appealing to see upon sign on. Maybe these photos should be password protected or so that these moms can share their photos (if they can actually find anyone who wants to see any of them) but seriously, I think my husband’s penis is a beautiful site but you won’t find a picture of that on my Facebook page anytime soon.. some things are better left private!
I have nursed two babies for well over a year each, so I’m a huge fan of breastfeeding. Like most people, I would never call it obscene in any context. The context that Facebook is dealing with, however, is that of millions of photographs each day and the need for some sort of filter. Like it or not, we live in a culture where female breasts are sexualized. It’s an unfortunate reality, and it would be nice to change it, but it is not Facebook’s responsibility to take up the cause. They are, after all, a business, and it is really up to them to define what content is acceptable on their site.
I agree that having breastfeeding photos lumped in with “Girls Gone Wild”-style photos is unfair. Perhaps all Facebook needs to do is change the wording around why they do not allow breastfeeding photos.
Is this ANY breastfeeding photo, or ones which more or less show the whole breast? What line have they drawn?
I think for the most part photos of breastfeeding babies should be allowed, but I can imagine photos that cross the line of good taste.
I am 100% pro-breastfeeding. I think that Facebook has the opportunity to be a champion for the cause. Do they have to – absolutely not. Could they? Yes!
Someone had to look at the photos to take them down. A policy that allows for discrete pictures of breastfeeding could be implemented. I understand that some might take it too far, but it is up to Facebook what they will or won’t allow.
I hope that someone there can come up with a common sense policy.
I’m a huge fan and supporter of breast feeding. I nursed my two daughters for over 1 year each and it was the best experience ever. However, I was always careful to cover up with my “hooter hider” not only for my own privacy but to consciously not offend anyone else. Breastfeeding is natural and beautiful but not everyone is comfortable looking at other peoples breasts. I think if the picture shows nipples and milk spray, the mom has gone beyond beautiful and natural to offensive and rude. Who the heck would share that with others?? Tasteful pics of babies obscuring the nipple while feeding and managing to get all the milk in their mouth should be allowed to stay.
I breastfed my daughter also but I don’t think it is appropriate to post pictures on this publication. Why would someone want to anyway? Could they want attention, do they need someone to say, “Hey, good for you, you are breastfeeding your child!”
Maybe start a site for breastfeeding where you can share your breastfeeding pics? I don’t think facebook is the platform for this at all.
Same goes for making out, drinking, and flashing gang signs/guns. My god people, keep it clean.
They do have the option to show albums to only certain friends, so maybe do that?
I am 63. In my younger days I would have been too embarassed to do this in public as it just wasn’t done. Even in my own mothers house, I had to go into a bedroom, out of sight. However, in my years I have seen just about everything, on tv, in movies, on ads, on the street, every place and any place. What is the big deal??? Babies get hungry and they want it NOW, not 15 minutes later when you find a private spot and a blanket and a chair. I see nothing wrong with it. Throw a blanket over the baby and boob. This not only creates privacy but a nice warm snug loving private place for a child to nuzzel mom and get relaxed.. I loved to be alone with the baby and all cuddled up in a rocker and humming to him. But I still see nothing wrong with it. My 4 year old granddaughter knows why God made “boobs” on women. We create a mystery around breast feeding and a ban and empty narrow minded views. We are MOMs and it is our job to feed the baby the best food we can when born. If you are that uncomfortable, you can always put your breast milk in a baby bottle when you shop. We women need to stand up for our rights as women that feed all children. If you think about it we feed the world when they are babies.
I’ll admit I’m a little surprised at the comments here.I thought they might be a little more for leaving the pic’s as is.facebooks response wasnt at all surprising,”we’d rather just leave it at nudity and draw the line there”.A easy solution to a huge logistical/opinionated problem.AS for my own opinion,I’d rather watch a baby breastfeeding than some slob eating at some fast food chain anyday!!
p.s Melissa,you might want to rethink the name breastbook.Idea?-Great
I was breast fed, as were all my siblings, and I breast fed my only child. Momma nor I felt it was necessary to display our breasts to anyone as we cuddled and loved the experience with our child. When did it become appropriate to show off while your child was being fed? I am amazed that women think this is appropriate.
I breastfed my babies and was thankful that I was able to do this for them. I had a close friend who was truly unable to breastfeed her child and I can’t imagine flaunting it. I always covered up when breastfeeding in public because it is courteous (whether we like it or not, the breasts are sensual. I know I don’t like other women to expose theirs to my husband). Anyway, my babies are now teenagers. So, thank you Facebook for caring enough to try to do the best you can!
I’m all for mum’s breast feeding their babies, however why would they want to post pictures of themselves doing so on Facebook? Another demonstration of the “Hey look at me!” nation that we live in. Your friends want to look at photo’s of your cute new BABY…..not your breasts!
I think Bruce & Melissa Should Start BreastBook, instead of getting on FaceBook’s Case.
As Doris & Valorie have pointed out, Why Would a Woman be So Desperate to Show her Breasts/BreastFeeding to Perfect Strangers & Want To Highlight This Supposed Injustice(?),Unless She is a Pervert or an Exhibitionist!!And Why Must Us Normal people be Forced to Watch Abnormal People’s Breasts.This Right to Freedom of Expression in our Country is being Hijacked By Every Self-Serving Bigot & Making a Mess of our Social Fabric.KEEP IT UP FACEBOOK.
Having raised four sons and breastfed them all, twins included, I am all for breastfeeding. HOWEVER we all need to live in the real world and realize that it is not only our friends on facebook.
I support facebook and other sites who are doing the responsible thing. Breasts in any representation SHOULD be edited. I know that I don’t want my kids looking at these types of pictures – and I agree with other reviewers that I don’t want to see them either.
It takes a village to raise a child….be considerate…be aware…sites like facebook are global and we need to remember that.
Hello all, I am a mom of 3 children, breast fed them all.. while I found this to be a very positive experience, I can think of a million other experiences that I would rather photograph along with my children.. why would I EVER want to show them breastfeeding? I always considered that to be a private time with my babies..not for sharing and showcasing my abilities! My facebook friends consist of alot of my friends, male and female, I am SURE that my close female friends would not relish the idea of their husbands (who are my facebook friends as well) knowing exactly what my nipples look like.. The idea of Breastbook is great.. make a site for those who want to view these types of photos and spare those of use that do not!
what’s next, diaper changing photos? GROSS
Some things should be kept private!! Noone needs to see a baby breastfeeding! I breastfed 2 babies and never felt the need to show my bare breasts with babies hanging from them.. what is this? National Geographic?
Let’s share birthday pictures, vacation pictures, school pictures of our children – not inappropriate images that will later haunt them in life! Im sure my son’s value the fact that there will never be pictures of them sucking my nipples floating on the internet!
GOD has made us as we are. If anyone thinks that breastfeeding is vulgar, he better have his brains checked.Everyone in this world has been suckled by his mother. Was it not vulgar when you suckled your mother? People who go against nature are devils.Thats all there is to it
I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth to this topic. As a mother, I understand the benefits and wonder of breastfeeding a baby. For the record, I never breast fed mine, I wasn’t able to with my first and by the time my second came around, I had become a single working mother, did not get any time off work after baby was born and just wasn’t into the idea. I still cuddled my babies, held them close and looked into their eyes as I bottle fed them. (Again for the record, no one ever told me about breast pumps). Enough about me. What I wanted to say, is that while I do believe breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience, the whole issue is becoming like a religious or political massive issue. Every where a person goes, the issue of breast feeding is being pushed down our throats. It’s becoming tiresome and annoying. I don’t feel I should have to be bombarded with toples women everywhere I go. I too have seen pictures of breastfeeding women on Facebook, but luckily for me, they were done tastefully and I actually had to double look to ensure I was seeing correctly. This I don’t mind. I just am getting very tired of having the issue shoved down my throat. I will defend the right of a woman to do whatever she believes is right for her and her child. I just wish that the same consideration would be extended to those people that do believe in a little bit of discretion. I don’t want to see an entire breast and I don’t want to see the size of someone’s nipples. That’s just the bottom line. Women are becoming quite militant and bitter, and that just doesn’t fit the “nurturing”, “gentle” picture that breastfeeding is supposed to portray. I would agree, there are other pictures that Facebook should also be removing..I’m not too keen on a 14 y.o. (or any age) males’ naked chest staring at me either.. when each rib and tendon can be counted. I just would like the issue to be a little more democratic and I do believe a little discretion will go a long way in support of the breastfeeding idea. Like I said, my 2 cents worth.
OK, I’m really confused… first of all, why would anyone WANT to post a photo of herself breastfeeding? I’m sorry, sexual or not, it DOES sound a bit exhibitionistic! And 2 – who would want to see it? Just because something’s “natural” doesn’t mean everybody wants to look at it.
Sorry, zakiruddin but my mom never “suckled” me nor did I “suckle” her.. and we certainly are not devils. Back in the 70’s, it was actually unpopular to breastfeed so I was not breastfed (as well as many many other people)
How exactly does a mother “suckle” her baby? thats disgusting. keep it to yourself. By the way, if you love nature, go hug a tree!
@ Fresno
From Dictionary.com:
suck⋅le [suhk-uhl]
verb, -led, -ling.
–verb (used with object)
1. to nurse at the breast or udder.
2. to nourish or bring up.
3. to put to suck.
–verb (used without object)
4. to suck at the breast or udder.
I don’t think Zin is a pervert. (S)he overstates a bit, but there is nothing more beautiful than my g’child’s big eyes looking up at its mother as it nurses.
And btw, I have several pictures of them b’freeding and I don’t have a bare nipple in any of them. In fact, normally, when a child is nursing, and the mother is otherwise dressed, there is lots less to see than on the street outside the usual high school, up here at least.
That said, there are people with issues, so let’s just keep our babies (and ourselves) away from those people. Let us shelter our children from the nasty minds of those who could so easily pollute their innocence.
Beth
I breastfed 2 out of my kids but NEVER felt the need to share those private moments with the whole b…y world! I unfortunately have to side with Facebook – keep your boobs to yourself! I very quickly remove “friends” from my Facebook if they get gross about their PRIVATE life! My husband has a beautiful body but sure as hell I aint posting his naked chest (or anything else for that matter) on the WEB for everyone to see. Maybe you should re-think the reasons for your wanting to show off your boobs WORLDWIDE?!!
i come from a country where people find breastfeeding perfectly normal. In fact, a woman is not even sexualised when she is lactating and she is revered. I see lots of women sitting at busstops nursing their babies, in the trains nursing their babies etc without bothering to cover, very often. The women that live along the streets, dont have the privacy to cover.
Having said that, none of them want to showcase it or show it off to people who May Not Feel the same way about it.
Some of these women who let their babies hang on to their nipples while they’re cooking along the pavement may be more progressive but some of the men and women who leer are certainly not.
As a breastfeeding mom I have got to say that posting pics of breasts, with babies suckling on them or otherwise could be viewed as pornographic to some. There are a lot of weirdos in this world , stalker types, who would love to steal your pics and do who knows what with them. I don’t see it as discrimination, it’s just in bad taste to some people on your friends list. So either delete those friends whom you believe have a problem with seeing you nursing or agree with the Facebook terms of use. It’s that simple really. ( Or put those pics into a private album only to be viewed by permission)
What’s the big deal with all this secretiveness when it comes to eating? I see people eating all the time, everywhere! Babies are people too, and NEED to eat, so why don’t they deserve the same rights as EVERYONE else, to enjoy eating in public? It’s thoroughly irresponsible, socially, to hide the fact that EVERY baby needs to eat. Those who think otherwise, should be ashamed of them selves. After all, without breastfeeding, NONE of us would be here today. Our ancestors had to do it. Were they in the wrong to feed their kids? Think about it!