Breastfeeding Persuasive Speech, Outline Example

Objectives

Social acceptance of Breastfeeding

General purpose: to promote wider acceptance of breastfeeding

Specific purpose: to discuss laws cultural and social norms, and health benefits related to breastfeeding

Central idea: Although breastfeeding is known to be the best choice for most mothers and children, there are still a significant number of social and legal obstacles breastfeeding mothers must face

Introduction

News stories about breastfeeding mothers getting arrested

• General facts and statistics about benefits of breastfeeding
• Legal and social barriers to breastfeeding
• Many of us here started off breastfeeding for a number of reasons

Breastfeeding is good for babies

• Nutrition
• Attachment
• Social development

Transition: many mothers face obstacles

• Legal and Social Barriers

1. State laws vary about breastfeeding
2. Discussion of specific incidents where a mother’s legal rights were violated
3. Many women do not know their rights where breastfeeding is concerned

Transition: A change in attitude is necessary

• How to Promote Changes in Attitudes about Breastfeeding

1. Educating mothers and fathers of newborns about the benefits of breastfeeding
2. Social organizations that promote breastfeeding:

• Economic Benefits to Employers for Supporting Breastfeeding
• Benefits to children in later life
• Overcoming cultural and social barriers to breastfeeding

3. Legal organizations and initiatives about breastfeeding

Conclusion

• Breastfeeding is the best choice for most babies
• Too many mothers face social and legal sanctions for breastfeeding
• The recent victories for same-sex marriage advocates show that both laws and societal attitudes can be changed through hard work and perseverance
• We owe it to our future to ensure that mothers and babies can breastfeed

Works Cited

Chantry , Caroline J., Anne Eglash, and Miriam Labbock. “Position on breastfeeding.”Breastfeeding Medicine 3.4 (2008): 267. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

“Discursive Constructions of Breastfeeding in U.S. State Laws.” Women & Health53.4 (2013): 419-437. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Eglash, Anne, Anne Montgomery, and Julie Wood. “Breastfeeding.” Disease-a-Month54.6 (2008): 343–411. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

“The Family and Breastfeeding Laws: What Nurses Need to Know.” The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing 31.4 (2006): 231-232. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Fox News Insider. “Breastfeeding Mom, Laura Trickle, Facing Arrest for Bringing Baby to Jury Duty.” Fox News Insider. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Mathur, N B., and Dhulika Dhingra. “Breastfeeding.” The Indian Journal of Pediatrics (2013): n. pag. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Murtagh, Lindsey, and Anthony D. Moulton. “Working Mothers, Breastfeeding, and the Law.”American Journal of Public Health 101.2 (2011): 217-223. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Peterson, J, and K. Garman. “Breastfeeding laws, needed or not?” Kansas Nurse 79.1 (2004): 1-3. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Phelps, Charles E. “Economic issues of breastfeeding.” Breastfeeding Medicine 6.5 (2011): 307. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Seams, Cindy A. “The Work of Breastfeeding.” Women’s Studies Quarterly 37.3/4 (2009): 63-80. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.