Prepare yourself for Jenna Harris’s eye-opening account about the trials of pumping breastmilk at work and her infamous ‘milk bowl.’
If you’ve ever had to pump at your job, this Twitter thread is definitely worth a read. Writer Jenna Harris decided to share her personal saga of workplace pumping struggles, and trust me — it’s quite the tale. Every working mother who has pumped can find something familiar in her experience, because no matter how modern we think our workplaces are, there always seems to be that One Guy™ (often a man) who finds it “disturbing.”
Harris’s story unfolds in a time before companies were mandated to provide clean, designated spaces for breastfeeding employees (and spoiler alert: even today, we’ve still got a long way to go, even in 2018). Regardless, the essence of her thread resonates deeply.
UGHH. WHY ARE WORKPLACES LIKE THIS?
After each pumping session during lunch, Harris reported that she would take her supplies to the break room sink to clean them and store her milk. Every single day, she faced complaints about it — as if breastmilk being out in the open was some kind of scandal. Seriously, folks, it’s not bodily fluids that people should be uncomfortable about. It’s the very sustenance that nourishes babies and, oh yes, THE REASON WE HAVE BREASTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Of course, there’s always that one guy — a real charmer, who has a knack for being completely clueless. When it’s not the prudish types, it’s usually the misogynistic ones who have issues with it.
Oh boy, Rich, you’re in for a real surprise.
OMG. I can’t even. Dying. D-E-A-D.
YES, RICH, EVERYONE KNEW.
This narrative is worth its weight in gold — even more precious than the liquid gold that sparked this whole situation. Why do men always seem to raise a fuss about breastfeeding mothers and pumping?
Many nursing mothers are likely nodding along as they read Harris’s thread; I certainly am. When I returned to work, my so-called progressive advertising agency offered me the use of a dilapidated, musty restroom meant for handicapped individuals to pump in. The issue (beyond it being a filthy space with just a toilet and a chair) was that it was apparently the go-to bathroom for every guy in IT.
These gentlemen were not pleased that they had to trek down the hall to the regular men’s room once I came back to work. However, that didn’t stop them from using the handicapped restroom, where I had to convince myself that no unsanitary particles were contaminating my baby’s milk. They harassed me with emails, passive-aggressive remarks, and even left signs on the door to deter me. Two years later, and I still seethe every time I think about it.
The lesson here: sometimes, men can be the absolute worst, particularly regarding women’s bodies and the mothers they work alongside. If this prompts you to chime in with “not all men,” feel free to take a page from Rich’s book and excuse yourself.
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Summary:
Jenna Harris shares her frustrating experiences of pumping breastmilk at work and the challenges posed by male coworkers’ attitudes. Despite the progress in workplace policies, many women still encounter resistance and discomfort surrounding breastfeeding. Harris’s story resonates with many working mothers, highlighting the need for better understanding and support.
Keyphrase: workplace pumping challenges
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