Problem
Case Study
Jessica, twenty-six, has just started back at college. Because her college offers great child services during class times, she brings her six-month-old with her each class day. One afternoon, as she sits in the cafeteria studying before her class, her baby starts crying. After a quick glance at her watch, Jessica unbuttons her shirt, exposes her breast, and begins to feed Joseph, who gurgles happily. Two male students are sitting nearby. One notices Jessica and starts staring. Laughing uncomfortably, he gestures toward her to his friend. Another woman catches their reactions. "Leave her alone," she tells the two guys. "Breastfeeding is totally natural and good for the baby." One of the guys answers in Jessica's hearing, "Maybe so, but this is public. Must I put up with some woman showing her breast in front of me while I'm trying to eat? That's just more than I need to see. She shouldn't make the rest of us uncomfortable in a public cafeteria; she ought to go somewhere private for that. Aren't there any rules here?"
Task
A. In most places in the United States women may legally breast feed in public. At work, they are also supposed to be allowed adequate time to breast feed. What do you think of these laws? Are they morally justified?
B. Does Jessica have a natural moral right to breast feed wherever she needs to? Are there any places where women shouldnt do that?
C. Would you be uncomfortable if a woman started breast feeding in front of you? Do you think it is too private? What values come into play in this case? Do you think breast feeding in public is bad etiquette?
D. If you witnessed the two guys' behavior, would you interfere? If so, whose side would you take? What would you say and why?
E. In most Islamic countries, public breast feeding would be unthinkable. How much do you think culture and religion influence people's thinking and values on this?