Breastfeeding in public: A study of attitudes and perception among Malay undergraduates in Universiti Sains Malaysia

Abstract

Breastfeeding in public is a bodily issue that is associated with vulgarity and obscenity across cultures in the world. Literature on breastfeeding in public in Malaysia are scarce and this study wants to provide insight into understanding how the Malaysian youth, specifically Malay undergraduates respond towards breastfeeding in public. This qualitative study examines the attitudes and support (acceptance or rejection) among Malay undergraduate students towards breastfeeding in public using the Fredrickson & Robert's Self Objectification Theory. A sample of 40 Malay undergraduate students, both female and male undergraduates from a Malaysian public university, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were interviewed face to face to determine their attitudes and support towards breastfeeding in public. Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis were used to develop themes from the data collected from the Malay undergraduates. Seven themes which are discretion, public perception, social taboo, emotions, and hypersexualization of breasts, male gazing and voice of change towards breastfeeding in public were identified. Both Malay female and male undergraduates partially accept breastfeeding in public with discretion. Malay male undergraduates are concerned with the Malaysian public perception towards breastfeeding in public and Malay female undergraduates perceive breasts are sexual objects in comparison to Malay male undergraduates who acknowledge the 'male gaze'. The support towards breastfeeding in public is more evident among Malay male undergraduates compared to Malay female undergraduates. Breastfeeding in public is perceived as social taboo but Malay undergraduates express the need for better education and exposure on breastfeeding in public.

Young adults’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study

“…This situation is similar to the result of the Malaysian university students' survey, with nearly 78% of them preferring breastfeeding in public to be done in private, with discretion. 63 Young adults in Hong Kong, especially the male adults, would like their spouse to breastfeed in public with privacy. Some male participants seemed to make contradictory statements when discussing their feelings and perception.…”

“…The lack of consistency between supporting the ideas of women breastfeeding in public and individual's level of comfort with women breastfeeding near them is also found in similar studies. 63,64 Only a few female participants showed full acceptance toward breastfeeding in public, but were concerned with the perception of the public toward it. Cultural beliefs seem to be the main reason for the inconsistency in supporting the idea, but in reality, there were contrary opinions among the male and female participants.…”