Sir, - Congratulations to Victoria White on her excellent column of November 13th entitled "Right to be a Mother". I too am a mother of two small children, both of whom were breast-fed well into their third years. I also work outside the home putting to use the skills I acquired after years spent at university. But for an incredibly supportive husband and my own dogged determination, I could not have done this.
Like Ms White, I too grew up in 1960s Ireland and embraced wholly the feminism of the 1970s. However, my eyes opened wide in horror when, on becoming a mother, I saw how the workplace through its long hours and inflexible structures - especially in the more coveted jobs - discriminated against breast-feeding mothers.
I also agree with Victoria White and Garret FitzGerald that the quality of young women's lives are being seriously diminished - if not ruined - by a work culture which militates against them having children at the very times in their lives when their bodies are most ready for it.
What is feminism if it doesn't allow us the right to be mothers too? - Yours etc.,
Orla Bourke, Munster Street, Phibsboro, Dublin 7.