A baby bump is not a vulgar show of nudity
THE online mutterings of models and influencers is not something I usually pay too much attention to but this week I admired Vogue Williams for hitting back at critics who slated her choice of maternity attire.
Well known for her love of fitness, and athletic physique, it appears that for some, seeing a baby bump on show is offensive.
I cannot believe that somebody would even comment on this but that is the online world - trolls feel entitled to pass remarks on every aspect of a person’s appearance with no regard to whether it is rude or not. It takes a strange sort of person to be offended by a baby bump, and even more strange to follow a pregnant celebrity on social media just to tell her so.
It appears the problem they had was with Williams’s bump being visible in her workout gear. She hit back and said that it is the most comfortable for her and that she hasn’t been told what to wear since childhood.
To most people, this wouldn’t even register, but for some the sight of a bump unnerves them, as if it is some vulgar display of nudity.
The same goes for breastfeeding. While there is now much more acceptance for mothers nursing in public, on occasion some are still asked to cover up or even leave certain establishments - which is surely discrimination at its worst. It is hard enough for women, coping with pregnancy, with all the dos and don’t that come with it - unwanted advice, old wives’ tales, scaremongering and constant commentary on the size of your bump.
There can be such negativity when it comes to appearance and during pregnancy, people feel that your appearance is public property - especially if you are in the public eye.
A similar debate was sparked during the pregnancy of the actor Aoibhín Garrighy who was attacked in the most ridiculous way for hillwalking while pregnant.
Surely keeping fit and enjoying the great outdoors in a stress-free environment is the best thing a woman can do for herself and her baby, yet those who think they know better feel justified in giving complete strangers a good talking to over how they choose to exercise.
Busy-bodies will always feel entitled to give their opinion but maybe they should think more carefully before the do so.