Looking for a gym? How about a "one of a kind , full service women only gym," where women can feel free to exercise and socialise out in the open without the fear of guys one-uping them and with the freedom of being around women who may have been there, done that? Sounds great, huh? They even support breastfeeding!
According to a recent statement written by the Pure Fitness for Women club in Spring, Texas, a breastfeeding mother was asked to move to a more private locale Thurs., Aug. 11, 2011 by club employees as she was nursing her child in the kids' area of the club.
"We have thousands of members' children that do not understand," the club stated. "At that age it is the discretion of the parent to determine if at a kids club age the child should learn about the benefits and reasons for breast feeding. We feel that children should not be exposed to these events without every parent being ok with their child being exposed to the action.
"Further, we do feel a member being exposed to children is inappropriate. As women we fully support breast feeding, as adults we protect children as a whole, and as a business have a corporate responsibility to all members and their children."
Mothers who visited the club's Facebook fan page on Friday were outraged by the actions of the club suggesting they be sued by the mother involved as the actions taken were illegal. In Texas, a breastfeeding mother is legally allowed to nurse her child wherever she (the mother) is allowed to be, making the request to move to a private location indeed illegal.
Commenting mothers also suggested it would not be difficult to explain to a child who witnessed the nursing that the mother was merely feeding her child, like a mother cat would feed her kitten.
Unfortunately, the club has deleted any negative remarks from both their page and the posted statement and has blocked 'fans' who wrote them. The club was not available for comments as of this article.
Related Links:
Official Positing on Breast Feeding Incident by Pure Fitness for Women
Pure Fitness is NOT for Women Facebook Page
Nurse-In at Pure Fitness for Women, scheduled for Fri. Aug. 26, 2011 from 6-6:30 p.m. The event coordinator wishes that everyone who will attend in spirit will click "I'm attending" as well to show support.
Mother speaks out after being asked to move for breastfeeding in women-only gym
Have you encountered a similar experience? What are your thoughts on the actions of the club? Do you think this could happen in Milford, Delaware?
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