Cultural differences?

[Freyja]

To be fair to the OP, you were the very first person to use the word "prude" in this thread (post #4). And you did label yourself as one.

Amen!

Apart from this Dis´er, there are probably prudes in every country of the world. Depending on context. Just like there are beautiful people, ugly people, rude people, friendly people and so on. Again depending on context. It ALL lies in the eye of the beholder.

 

[cardaway]

Amen!

Apart from this Dis´er, there are probably prudes in every country of the world.

The sheer number of them makes a big difference as well.

 

[Independent]

I think that you are very wrong in that assumption.

1. Anything to get attention and make a sale!!!

2. How is the addition of that nipple valid to that story??? It was not about breast feeding.

3. I maintain that nobody here will post that they do not see the sexual value and significance to a woman's breast/nipple. So, how could the 'sexual' aspect be completely unseen or ignored.

My guess is that you have not spent a lot of time overseas in Europe - or at least enough time to really get the feel of the culture over there. I think the OP is just commenting on how the areas are in socially different places. Nobody is right or wrong, just different.

In my experience, in the parts of Europe that I have been in, that picture would not get the kind of attention you are implying just to make a sale.

To touch on some of the previous examples given in this thread, the my experiences see the differences this way:

If a country that defines modesty as keeping the women completely covered up, such as Burkas, would publish a picture of a woman's lips, ankles, wrists or other part of the body they might believe to be taboo to be seen, then a case could be made that the picture was printed to "sell" the magazine, that it was t1tilating, will ruin the male youth of the country if they see that part of the body, and all the arguments against the OP's picture that was used in this thread.

Now, if the same picture of lips, wrist or ankle were published here, the majority of Americans would yawn. You could not possibly "sex sell" a magazine with a picture of a wrist on it. A wrist just isn't taboo in this country. Nobody thinks our male children would be aroused by seeing a wrist. There would be no uproar.

But a partially uncovered breast with a nipple? That is to some, as taboo in our country as the wrist is in the Burka nation.

Now, let's go to Europe. A partially uncovered breast with a nipple in the context of feeding a baby, is yawned at much like the wrist is yawned at in our culture. It is a cute picture of a baby. Most Europeans that I know (and I acknowledge that there are as many different opinions in Europe as there are here) would not put a sexual connotation on that picture. Feeding a baby is just not t1tilating.

 

[ZPT1022]

Ummmm, if a woman doesn't see anything sexual about her breast... Then she must be frigid, and her SO must be gay!!!

or her DH after watching it's primary function be for nourishing their babies, no longer thinks of it as only a sexual thing.

 

[Freyja]

My guess is that you have not spent a lot of time overseas in Europe - or at least enough time to really get the feel of the culture over there. I think the OP is just commenting on how the places are in socially different places.

In my experience, in the parts of Europe that I have been in, that picture would not get the kind of attention you are implying just to make a sale.

The best example of the differences I can give you is:

If a country that defines modesty as keeping the women completely covered up, such as Burkas, would publish a picture of a woman's lips, ankles, wrists or other part of the body they might believe to be taboo to be seen, then a case could be made that the picture was printed to "sell" the magazine, that it was t1tilating, will ruin the male youth of the country if they see that part of the body, and all the arguments against the OP's picture that was used in this thread.

Now, if the same picture of lips, wrist or ankle were published here, the majority of Americans would yawn. You could not possibly "sex sell" a magazine with a picture of a wrist on it. A wrist just isn't taboo in this country. Nobody thinks our male children would be aroused by seeing a wrist. There would be no uproar.

But a partially uncovered breast with a nipple? That is to some, as taboo in our country as the wrist is in the Burka nation.

Now, let's go to Europe. A partially uncovered breast with a nipple in the context of feeding a baby, is yawned at much like the wrist is yawned at in our culture. It is a cute picture of a baby. Most Europeans that I know (and I acknowledge that there are as many different opinions in Europe as there are here) would not put a sexual connotation on that picture. Feeding a baby is just not t1tilating.

This is all so true. I have travelled extensively, in Europe (17 countries), US, middle-East, and East-Asia.

In Denmark, where the picture is from, there is no way it is used to sell. I doubt any Dane who saw the picture even saw the nipple in it. When I lived in Denmark my neighbour used to water the flowers in her front yard and pluck strawberries topless. None of the other neighbours even seemed to notice. I did however when I first moved there and found it a bit odd to be speaking to a neighbour with her ****s in my face. Couldn´t help to feel strange when my DH had to run over to pick up the kids.

 

[rayelias]

This is what the breasts are made for at first! So, absolutely no offense!

And butts are made for something completely natural, as well. Doesn't mean I want to see one doing what it's supposed to do on the front page of a magazine (or in public).

 

[Freyja]

And butts are made for something completely natural, as well. Doesn't mean I want to see one doing what it's supposed to do on the front page of a magazine (or in public).

"Not wanting" to see something is totally different from being "against seeing" something.

 

[mickeyfan2]

And butts are made for something completely natural, as well. Doesn't mean I want to see one doing what it's supposed to do on the front page of a magazine (or in public).

Thank you for that picture.

 

[katerkat]

The sheer number of them [prudes] makes a big difference as well.

In my personal experience, it certainly does! The only comments I got about breastfeeding in public were in New Jersey, not Washington. (And yes, I was always discreet and yes, I nursed him through several teeth.) In the Pac NW, breastfeeding is a lot more accepted and normal - most members of my mainstream Mom's Club nurse, and in public (again, discreetly.) It's not quite that accepted in New Jersey for some reason.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

or her DH after watching it's primary function be for nourishing their babies, no longer thinks of it as only a sexual thing.

We haven't had a baby, thank you very much. I have two kids by way of DH's first marriage (and his first wife didn't breastfeed). And that is all I need. But thanks for making that assumption. And if you read on you will find out WHY I feel that way and why other feel that way, too.

 

[ford family]

And butts are made for something completely natural, as well. Doesn't mean I want to see one doing what it's supposed to do on the front page of a magazine (or in public).

Correct, they are the muscles we need to be able to move our legs.

ford family

 

[letterdavidman]

Correct, they are the muscles we need to be able to move our legs.

ford family

Oh, for crying out loud, GROW UP!

(How old are you? Eight?)

 

[autumnbaby9]

And butts are made for something completely natural, as well. Doesn't mean I want to see one doing what it's supposed to do on the front page of a magazine (or in public).

I will give you this point as soon as there are as many places to breastfeed you baby as there are public bathrooms. And no I do not think making women breastfeed in a toilet stall is an acceptable alternative.

 

[JennyMominRI]

So let's elevate the level of discourse.




Let's not generalize. There are Republican, evangelically conservative women who are aggressive about breastfeeding in public. Ever been to a La Leche League meeting in the deep south of the USA? There are also Democratic, Massachusetts liberal "mother earth" types who are aggressive about breastfeeding in public.

T.

I consider myself to be pretty liberal but I'm also shy in real life..I would absolutly cover up while breastfeeding.

 

[nut4disney]

I will give you this point as soon as there are as many places to breastfeed you baby as there are public bathrooms. And no I do not think making women breastfeed in a toilet stall is an acceptable alternative.

No woman should have to feed a child in a bathroom stall. It's unhygenic, not to mention undignified.

Here in Swansea, we have a beautiful restaurant with a ladies' only lounge right by the bathrooms, it has a cushioned chair for any mom who needs to nurse.

But 1) it's not in view of toilets. 2) men can't use it 3) it's near a primping mirror, 4) and it has plenty of space for diaper bags, etc.

Not that women have to use it, but some women feel comfortable.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I do think that more places are providing for woman who may breastfeed!

I love it when a place has a nice women's lounge.... Even a small area at the entry to the restrooms might suffice.

That is great! You know, it has not been so long since Handicapped parking was amost non-existant. Now there are what seems like tons of handicapped spots in front of every building.

Again, I do not see breastfeeding as the issue here.
Does anybody actually think that the cultural difference that the OP was discussing was breastfeeding????

 

[Catananche]

Does anybody actually think that the cultural difference that the OP was discussing was breasfeeding????

I've been following the discussion, but to be honest, I cannot remember what the initial debate was about!

But it's all been very interesting, anyway.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Somebody who has their own personal feelings, different than you seem to have, regarding modesty and what is considered appropriate.

No more, no less.

Yes, that is my post.

I said what I mean, and I mean what I said! (whether you want to twist it or not...)

If a Danish woman wants to go out and garden completely in the nude, I could not really care any less.

I don't go on a Danish chatboard and say something like "Wow, this Danish woman gardens with her breast hanging out!!!" Like I was passing some kind of judgement and asking them to justify their "cultural differences".

But, no, if I move there, don't expect me to go around letting it all hang out, and then act like I am some kind of backwards, prudish, (insert any other word here), person because of that.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I do think that more places are providing for woman who may breastfeed!

I love it when a place has a nice women's lounge.... Even a small area at the entry to the restrooms might suffice.

That is great! You know, it has not been so long since Handicapped parking was amost non-existant. Now there are what seems like tons of handicapped spots in front of every building.

Again, I do not see breastfeeding as the issue here.
Does anybody actually think that the cultural difference that the OP was discussing was breasfeeding????

yes! If a culture does not make a big deal out of viewing a breast, etc... - then they are going to be more open to breast feeding in public and not see it as a big deal, etc ..others have been over and over this...I am not sure how you are not making the connection others are....you don't have to agree,..... are you just purposely being obtuse????

 

[Wishing on a star]

No, I am not being obtuse....

If everyone there is comfortable with that, then fine.
As just stated, I could really not care any less.

Edited to add: Did you not read my entire post where, even I go there, do not automatically expect me to do the same. Do I not have the right to my own feelings and views????

I am saying, don't come on a primarily American chatboard, and expect everyone here to agree, and to ask us to justify our 'cultural differences'. Don't come post this stuff and expect everyone to say "ohhh how absolutely wonderful, a close-up of a woman's nipple on the front page for all to see!!!"

And, if we don't, then the negative labels start flying.

As I said, I have read enough 'prude and repressed American's' comments to see them coming. I post this because I have seen these comments on recent threads. No doubt about it.