Letters from readers: 'Hot Topic' and 'Second Thoughts'

Breast-feeding a great natural act of love

A mother who breast-fed her child on the Beijing subway was recently criticized for "exposing sexual organs in public areas". The accusation by a nonprofit organization caused quite a stir online, with many commenting on whether it is proper for mothers to breast-feed their children in public. The following is a reader's comment on the issue.

I think the person who took the photo and uploaded it just to express her displeasure over the most natural act of pure love from a mother to her nursing child is overly prudish and unthinking.

Years ago, my wife told me that her milk would flow instinctively, even before the crying started, whenever any of our three kids was feeling hungry. It was an uneasy feeling even for me to hear their earnest bawling when she was slow in meeting that need immediately.

That feeling hit deep in my heart. What more for the mother? So I totally empathize with that mother who wanted to nurse her child then. Instead of being busy snapping that photo, it would have been better for that woman to help shield the mother against prying eyes. At the very least, she would have learned how to feed a child while witnessing that magical moment.

People often take offense without thinking or being willing to see the positive side of a situation even though it has nothing to do with them directly.

By the way, it is most upsetting for me to see, in China, that bottle feeding has become preferred over the act only mothers can provide naturally. Formula-feeders prefer to ignore the fact that the act of breast-feeding creates a great bond between mother and child.

It is an innate urge for any mother to feed her child with her body, and for any child to suckle instinctively from his/her mother's breasts.

What kind of bonding could any child have with a plastic bottle? Hmm, I wonder if that bottle has some influence on the crazy way people shopped online during the recent Double 11? Perhaps, it was because I was breast-fed that I didn't shop for anything. Some social scientist should make a study to see if there is such a correlation.

Also, how can cow's or artificial milk be superior to a mother's? I've been told that the reason some prefer bottle-feeding is because of the convenience.

My concern is this. If women do not want to suckle over a long period of time, as evolution would have it, over generations their mammary glands could dry up permanently. It is like unused muscles atrophying.

Yannis Via E-mail

Cut the purse strings - or not

Netizens shared their opinions on whether men should hold handbags for women after they read an article by Murray Greig, an editor for China Daily, who suggested that it's time for the guys to cut those purse strings.

Honestly speaking, I have seen a lot of men hold handbags for women in Europe. It is always a sign of generosity for a man to lift something heavy for a woman. It is a not a phenomenon unique to China and should not be judged by countries.

Desideria Via Wechat

Apparently foreigners have no idea that women's handbags are one of the major targets of thieves in China.

Yoyo Via Wechat

It is a phenomenon unique to China. Even President Xi Jinping holds the handbag for his wife, Peng Liyuan. We feel it's natural and not a big deal.

Allar Via Wechat

I have long had the thought that men should not hold handbags for women. I agree with this friend's opinion. A man's affection for you can be felt from every aspect in life, rather than whether he holds a handbag for you or not.

Wang+11111 Via Wechat

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