Public breastfeeding has long been a topic of social debate. In many countries, the act of nursing an infant in public spaces such as parks, restaurants, or on public transportation is seen as both a natural part of motherhood and, at times, a controversial issue. For some, breastfeeding in public is viewed as an essential right and a natural expression of maternal care. For others, it remains uncomfortable or even inappropriate. A recent study published in The Journal of Social Psychology sheds new light on this complex issue, revealing how deeply ingrained sexist attitudes—especially hostile sexism—are strongly linked to negative reactions toward breastfeeding in public.
Breastfeeding: A Natural Act in the Spotlight
Breastfeeding has always been a deeply personal and intimate act between a mother and her child. Yet, it has become the subject of intense social scrutiny, particularly in public spaces. While health organizations around the world continue to promote the benefits of breastfeeding, both for mothers and infants, women often report discomfort when breastfeeding in public. The reasons for this discomfort are multifaceted, ranging from societal pressure to conform to certain standards of modesty to fears of being judged for breaching social norms.
Studies have found that many women fear that breastfeeding in public will result in negative reactions, from disapproving stares to verbal criticisms. This can lead to early weaning or a reluctance to breastfeed altogether, undermining the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. This social stigma is not only a reflection of cultural attitudes but is also shaped by deeper, more subtle gender biases, as revealed in the new research.
Sexism and Breastfeeding: Unveiling the Link
The recent study, conducted by researchers at the Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, took a closer look at how sexist beliefs influence attitudes toward breastfeeding, particularly in public settings. The study focused on Germany, a country that has made significant strides toward gender equality in recent decades. Yet, despite these advancements, public breastfeeding remains a contested issue, with many Germans supporting breastfeeding in principle but feeling ambivalent about its appropriateness in public spaces.
The researchers surveyed 4,143 adults from across Germany, collecting data between November 2022 and January 2023. The sample was designed to be representative of the broader German population, ensuring diversity in terms of gender, age, education, and political beliefs. Participants were asked about their attitudes toward breastfeeding, both in private and public settings, and completed a measure of ambivalent sexism.
Ambivalent sexism consists of two components: hostile sexism and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism is characterized by overtly negative attitudes toward women, believing them to be inferior or manipulative. Benevolent sexism, on the other hand, presents a more seemingly positive but still patronizing view of women, where they are seen as needing protection and care. In the study, the researchers sought to understand how these two types of sexism influenced attitudes toward breastfeeding.
Hostile Sexism and Public Breastfeeding
The results of the study were striking. Hostile sexism, which encompasses negative stereotypes about women, was found to be strongly associated with disapproval of public breastfeeding. Participants who scored higher in hostile sexism expressed more negative views about breastfeeding in parks, restaurants, and other public spaces. This negative attitude was consistent across various measures, including overall approval of public breastfeeding, acceptability in specific public settings, and emotional reactions to seeing a woman breastfeed in a public space.
The study revealed that participants who held hostile sexist beliefs were not only less supportive of breastfeeding in public but also exhibited a tendency to feel uncomfortable or even hostile when confronted with the act. The researchers argued that this reaction stems from a broader societal tendency to view women who breastfeed publicly as deviating from traditional gender roles. In societies where women are expected to be modest and conform to certain behavioral norms, public breastfeeding is often seen as a challenge to these norms, sparking discomfort and disapproval.
Interestingly, the relationship between hostile sexism and attitudes toward private breastfeeding was weaker, suggesting that the disapproval was particularly strong when the act took place in a public space. This highlights the social pressure that women face to conform to societal standards of propriety, especially when it comes to expressing motherhood in public.
Benevolent Sexism: The Unexpected Findings
One of the most surprising findings of the study was the role of benevolent sexism. Contrary to what the researchers had anticipated, benevolent sexism did not correlate with more supportive attitudes toward breastfeeding, either in private or public. In fact, people who scored higher in benevolent sexism were slightly less likely to approve of breastfeeding in both settings. This finding challenges previous assumptions that benevolent sexism, which idealizes women as maternal figures, would lead to more acceptance of breastfeeding.
Benevolent sexism, while seemingly protective or supportive of women, does not appear to shield mothers from the stigmatization associated with breastfeeding. In fact, it seems to reinforce traditional gender expectations, which may inadvertently contribute to the negative perceptions of breastfeeding, especially in public. The study suggests that both forms of sexism—hostile and benevolent—can contribute to the social discomfort and disapproval that many women face when breastfeeding in public.
The researchers also found that these effects were not dependent on the gender of the participants. Both men and women who endorsed hostile sexism were equally likely to disapprove of breastfeeding in public, suggesting that sexism’s influence on breastfeeding attitudes is not gender-specific. This finding calls into question earlier assumptions that men are more likely to express negative views about breastfeeding than women, especially when it comes to sexist beliefs.
The Social Impact of Sexism on Breastfeeding
The implications of these findings are profound. The study suggests that sexist attitudes—particularly hostile sexism—play a significant role in shaping public perceptions of breastfeeding. This reinforces the idea that public breastfeeding is not just a matter of personal choice or preference but is deeply influenced by broader cultural and gender norms. When women breastfeed in public, they are often seen as challenging traditional gender roles, which can lead to social discomfort and disapproval.
This social stigma can have real-world consequences for mothers. As the study authors point out, the negative reactions to public breastfeeding may contribute to early weaning or a reluctance to breastfeed at all, undermining the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. The stigma surrounding public breastfeeding, shaped by underlying sexist beliefs, creates an environment where women feel judged or unwelcome for engaging in a natural and healthy practice.
Moving Toward a More Supportive Environment
The findings from this study emphasize the need for greater awareness of how sexism influences attitudes toward breastfeeding. While most people in Germany expressed support for breastfeeding in private, the lower acceptance of breastfeeding in public suggests that cultural attitudes toward gender roles play a key role in shaping these perceptions. The researchers advocate for interventions that address blatant forms of sexism and gender stereotypes in order to reduce the stigma associated with breastfeeding in public.
Creating a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers requires challenging both hostile and benevolent sexism. As the study demonstrates, both types of sexism contribute to the social pressures that mothers face, whether they are breastfeeding in private or in public spaces. By promoting more inclusive and accepting attitudes toward breastfeeding, we can help create a world where mothers are not judged or stigmatized for nourishing their children in public.
Conclusion
The relationship between sexism and breastfeeding is complex, and the findings of this study provide valuable insight into how underlying gender biases shape perceptions of what is acceptable behavior for mothers. The strong association between hostile sexism and disapproval of public breastfeeding suggests that addressing negative attitudes toward women and gender roles is essential in reducing stigma and promoting breastfeeding in all settings. By challenging both hostile and benevolent sexism, we can create a more supportive environment for mothers, where breastfeeding is seen as a natural and acceptable part of daily life, regardless of location. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of fostering a culture that respects and supports the choices of mothers, allowing them to nourish their children without fear of judgment or stigma.
