What I really don't get is in North America there's a very prevelant "You
don't like it, Don't look!" attitude in regards to everything *other* than
breastfeeding.  TV programs "Don't like it, Turn it Off, don't tell ME what
to watch!" explicit music lyrics "Change the Station!" etc etc.

But for SOME REASON if someone sees a mom breastfeeding and feels a bit
uncomfortable no one tells the person "uh, then turn your head."  Okay I
did hear a pool lifeguard say that once and it increased his attractive
level by about 18 million in my book but that's *rare*.  I mean really can
you imagine "Sir, really I've got no problem with breastfeeding, I know
it's perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong with it, but Ij ust didn't
grow up with that, and that woman over there nursing her 2 yr old is really
making me uncomfortable." and the lifeguard saying "gosh lady then maybe
you should just look in another direction" as a regular occurence?

I'm trying to imagine if someone said "Sir, really I've got no problem with
interracial dating, I know it's perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong
with it, but I just didn't grow up with that, and that couple over there
holding hands is really making me uncomfortable." and the lifeguard NOT
saying "gosh lady then maybe you should just look in another direction."

I think it's because moms and babies are easy targets and we know how
vulnerable moms are to criticism about their mothering, and how vulnerable
women are to accusations of showing too much breast (wouldn't want to be
THAT kind of woman...).  It's similar to the more militant of the animal
rights movement.  It's a lot easier to throw paint on an old lady in a fur
coat then to go attack some punk or biker in leather.

-wendey (Studying LC in Montreal)