I think there is another underlying question here - the definition of modesty.
Modesty, as defined by wikipedia is:
Quote:
* Avoiding attracting attention to oneself by moderating one's actions or appearance;
* Downplaying one's accomplishments (see humility);
* Avoiding insincere self-abasement through false or sham modesty, which is a form of boasting;
* Avoiding the display of one's body and sexuality, especially in public. |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modesty
Now, how does NIP measure up inherently to the desire for modestly.
the two middle ones we can dismiss entirely since NIP is not about the self but about the baby (sure there may be the odd duck "look at me I am NURSING!!!!!" but I suspect this is very very rare, and not relevant to the general conversation).
The top one is only relevant if there is something weird or unusual about breastfeeding - IF we are in a breastfeeding culture where the default way of feeding babies is at the breast, then breastfeeding in public should not attract attention, any more than someone sneezing would attract attention.
The bottom one is the only relevant question, and only half of it is - displaying of the body, since we all agree that breastfeeding has NOTHING to do with sexuality. If breastfeeding is not a sexual act, then breastfeeding cannot be classified equivalent to kissing or canoodling (the "get a room" behaviors).
Displaying of the body - well, every culture has different criteria on which body parts are appropriate to be shown, to different people. What is appropriate in the bedroom vs the living room vs the street, and what is appropriate for a husband, for children, for family, for females, or the general public.
In the US, female nipples and genitalia from both are considered "private". Showing skin or tight revealing clothing close to those areas is definitely in the "immodest camp".
In other cultures, it is the hips or the hair, or the legs, or a combination of parts. For example, in West Africa, a modest, religious woman will never show a male other than her husband her inner thighs. She also covers her hair. But her breasts are not treated the same way. She may not want to display them to everyone, but they are not in the same category of "private" as the thighs are. Trust me, I saw a lot of breasts in West Africa just driving around towns or walking down the street, and not always nursing moms, either.
Slight tangent - when I understood the definitions of modesty were so different in Senegal, I realized that Baywatch - which is shown on TV in every West African country during the day and is watched by the entire family - is the equivalent of topless Swedish volley ball showed on NBC during prime time. WOW.
Anyhow, the point is that the act of NIP can absolutely be consistant with modesty, especially as many have already pointed out that there are many options to covering the body.
I think the important point is that the concern should be on covering the body, NOT hiding the breastfeeding. The fact that a woman is breastfeeding her baby, in my opinion, should not be subjected to concerns for modesty - making sure that she only shows the amount of skin she feels comfortable with SHOULD be.
My 2 cents.
: she turns 4 this week 
. (no covers here)
