The right to nursing in public

“Most women were covering their face in a unique way, and those who didn’t had their breasts out.” (Source: A:son Grebst, Images of Seoul - 100 Years Ago and Today) Photos taken near the end of the Joseon Dynasty or pictures drawn by 18th century painter Shin Yoon-bok show that it was not rare women with young children had their breasts out in public at that time. It seems obvious that it was for breastfeeding purpose not sexuality, given unwed women still covered them.

Nursing in public has somehow become a cultural taboo or a vulgar behavior today. I disagree to the idea that the fact that seeing mothers nursing in public places like subways and restaurants has now become a rare scene represents advanced civilization. Part of it may be because more women now feed formula instead of breast milk, but it may also be because mothers cannot but avoid being in public spaces, which means a retreat in women’s rights. In fact, embracing such a behavior would largely help overcome the issue of low birth rate Korea is facing.

Public breastfeeding has suddenly become a hot potato at the U.S. presidential race after Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders thanked a breastfeeding mom at his rally. “While there, she got hungry like babies do,” Margaret Ellen Bradford said on her Facebook picture. The image spread across the Internet, fueling divisive debates on public nursing and finally inspiring the hashtag #BoobsForBernie.

On the other hand, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is taking the blow for calling a female lawyer asking for nursing time “disgusting.” It is not first time Trump expressed his “disgust” towards women for different reasons, but this one is not just a matter of sexism or political spectrum, as many women themselves find it uncomfortable. Maybe it is time for young female politicians to publicize photos of them nursing children to raise awareness.

정성희기자 shchung@donga.com