Breastfeeding in public: a study of attitudes and perception among Malay undergraduates in Universiti Sains Malaysia
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 undergradu...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2018
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/13264/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/13264/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/13264/1/29087-89083-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | 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. |
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