Soapbox

Should teenagers be exposed to breastfeeding?

Jun 30 09:26am

- Should teenagers be taught about breastfeeding?

Hume Central Secondary College in Broadmeadows (VIC) cancelled a planned live demonstration of breastfeeding to Year 7 and 8 students. The class was postponed for fear uninformed parents would complain.

School Principal Glenn Proctor says he had become “sensitive” to all the nationalities at the school and he felt parental consent was necessary before children could watch a woman breastfeed her baby. Sunrise didn't have to look far to find someone who thought that teaching kids about breastfeeding was unnecessary.

Dr Jennifer James is a Nursing and Midwifery lecturer at RMIT in Melbourne thinks school children should all see breastfeeding in action.

Meanwhile, The Australian Breastfeeding Association is campaigning to have lesson plans introduced to encourage the education of children so that they know more, not less, about breastfeeding.

What do you think? Should teenagers witness breastfeeding at school?
Tell us below...

25 Comments Report Abuse

1. hernekaye - Jun 30 09:50am

I had trouble breastfeeding whilst suffering depression and felt like a complete failure due to the pressure of the Breastfeeding Fraternity. I think this initiative would increase pressure and feelings of failure. We forget Mums who can't breastfeed. They need support rather than more pressure!

2. missjo6284 - Jun 30 10:15am

Breastfeeding is normal BUT it's still a learned skill for both Mother and Baby. Why keep breastfeeding in the dark, only in western society do we think it's obscene to show your breast whilst nuturing your baby, yet kids can watch softporn music videos on Sat mornings, go figure?? Jo Mum of 4!

3. kiriwaicooper - Jun 30 10:56am

If all people would accept and encourage our BF mothers no matter where they were feeding weather it be in public or not then we would have more BF mothers. Our younger generation would grow up and see it as normal and know what it is then there would be no need to teach it in schools.

4. paveyjennifer - Jun 30 11:06am

It IS important to normalise breastfeeding, children are bombarded with advertising for artificial baby formula (even your own website) & dolls often come with bottles. These messages are not questioned. Many corporate $ are spent advertising and normalising 2nd best when best is free and healthier.

5. milliemoons - Jun 30 11:14am

Teenagers can watch ads for artificial baby milk without their parents consent, but when it comes to breastfeeding which is normal and natural it is a huge deal, it leaves me wondering where are children going to see breastfeeding as a positive and natural experience if not seen in school.

6. milliemoons - Jun 30 11:15am

7. karleengribble - Jun 30 11:19am

One of the reasons why so many women struggle to breastfeed is because so many of them have not really ever seen breastfeeding. In places where girls grow up seeing babies being breastfed about them every day breastfeeding challenges are much less common. The more children see bf the better

8. arushmoreoften@ymail.com - Jun 30 11:28am

...Ofcourse, children should; it's a natural stage in the developmental process of being a responsible and natural human being!!!
The word "exposed", is used as if it's a toxic chemical or poison to be avoided!! What the.....!!

9. cathturner@ymail.com - Jun 30 11:47am

why shouldn't high school kids be taught the important life skill of being a parent if they are taught about breastfeeding when they have thier own children whichever way they choose to feed they will be well informed for both parenting has a lot of big decisions so why not make this one a easier

10. sam.hosking - Jun 30 11:51am

The Victorian Curriculum includes sexual education at year 7. They learn about the mechanics of making a baby and the changes (physical, social and emotional) that will occur during puberty. This is a timely and appropriate opportunity to talk about breastfeeding.

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