Conducting Sociological Research Breastfeeding

Conducting Sociological Research

Breastfeeding

It has been said, "breast is best". According to the article Why Breastfeeding is Important on the web site womanshealth.gov, early breast milk is liquid gold. The first thick milk called colostrum is rich in nutrients and antibodies. This milk matures by the end of the first week becoming thinner, more watery but still contains the necessary nutrients, sugar, fats and protein that are perfect for a growing infant along with antibodies from the mother. The antibodies help prevent such illnesses as chicken pox, measles, viruses and colds. Breastfeeding mothers report fewer ear infections and other illnesses with their babies.

With breastfeeding being so beneficial my research question is: Do people in the United States feel public breastfeeding is acceptable?

I would interview restaurant and business owners. Visit public areas such as libraries, sporting venues, universities, and government buildings with an attempt to get a wide variety of participants. I would also go to hospitals and government programs that deal with new mothers to see how that group responds to the issue of public breastfeeding.

I would expect to find there is still a stigma against breastfeeding in public. Although most people may agree that breastfeeding is best they are uncomfortable with seeing a mother feeding her child publicly.

I would study the question through random sampling and surveys. I could go into restaurants and businesses asking owners or managers to fill out surveys and perhaps get permission to interview guest as they are coming or going. I could also sample people coming to or from the mall, library or a sporting event. I may be able to get the W.I.C. program or hospital maternity wards to hand out a survey to their parents so I can compare the random sample with a targeted group. It may be possible to gain permission from some of their participants or patients to do a personal interview.

Questions I would ask are:

* Do you know anyone who has breastfed?

* Have you ever seen anyone breastfeeding in public?

* Do you approve or disapprove of a mother breastfeeding in public.

* Why do you approve or disapprove?

* Is it important for a mother to breastfeed a child?

* Why is it important or why do you feel it is not important?

* How old are you?

* Do you have children?

* If so what method did you choose to feed your children?

* What is the highest