Women going topless

[Sylvia727]

I hadn’t really thought of this before, but it is a double standard. Why are men allowed to go topless when women aren’t? Take mowing the lawn for example. In my area, it’s pretty common to see a guy out there in shorts, shoes, and nothing else during the grass growing season. But women have to, at the bare minimum, wear shorts and an exercise bra. Swimming pools would be another area impacted. Why should women have to wear a two-piece suit when men are allowed to wear a one-piece?

I know some places have legislation allowing women to go topless…other places don’t. My area doesn’t. I think women should be allowed to go topless in the same areas men are. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal, I think, once the initial fervor settled down. How many people blink twice at a “No shirt, no shoes, no service,” sign? That’s all it would take to keep ‘sexuality’ out of public places. Breasts aren’t inherently sexual anymore, at least not more than bums, legs, or stomachs. If a guy can show his nipples, why can’t a gal?

[blas87]

I had a thread in social woes about my gym class in high school, we weren't allowed to wear tanktops, even in late May. The boys could play baseball shirtless because there was "nothing they could do about it", but the second we wanted to play volleyball in tanktops, we got in trouble.

A man's chest can be just as sexy. Or just as attention getting... Hell, some men HAVE large breasts like women if they are fat enough. But it's still not ok for a girl with breasts to go topless.....yet a 300 pound man with breasts as large as mine can.....that makes a whole lot of sense.

[DesignFox]

Probably because female breasts are considered sexual. Especially here in the states. We would need to do some serious revamping of sexual attitudes before women going topless would be acceptable to the masses.

Frankly, the horrid things young women wear nowadays...the last thing we need is an excuse for them to wear less. *shudder*

(some guys should be chased around and forced to wear shirts, too, mind)

Besides, what would happen to all the titty bars if all the guys could look for free? Think of the strippers! Think of the loss in profits! /joking

Maybe I'm a prude, but I like to keep my boobs to myself. I really don't want to see other women topless, either. *shrug* I guess my attitude would be different if my culture was different.

[Greenday]

DesignFox pretty much nailed this topic. Female breasts in America are sexual. That is EXACTLY why they have to be covered up. Guys' chests aren't sexual like women's. And I do think when a guy chest is as big as some women, they really should cover up too.

[Sylvia727]

Speaking as a hetero woman, guys' chests are very sexy. I admit there's more allure? romanticism? surrounding gals' chests, but that shouldn't deny me equal right to remove my shirt. I get sweaty when I mow the lawn or play sports too. If guys want to be perverted, they'll do it no matter what. And if John Q. Citizen happens to discreetly let his eyes stray for a few seconds, that wouldn't bother me. It happens now, when I'm wearing a bra, undershirt, and tee shirt. Should I wear a parka to protect the impressionable youth from my nekkidness? I'm not talking about baring all to the masses on every street corner, but in any situation where a guy can go shirtless, a gal should be able to as well.

[Greenday]

Seeing as most women probably would continue to wear tops, the only women who'd deal with gawking and staring are the ones asking for it by not wearing tops. We'll start getting sexual harassment cases. More complaints against staring, etc. etc.

[Sylvia727]

Well, in a realistic society, there would be a clear line drawn. Looking? Acceptable behavior. Gawking? Unacceptable behavior. Anything further than leering? Arrestable behavior. But I don't think it would be too huge of a problem. Most people, men and women both, wear clothing in public. One typically does not see topless men outside of swimming pools and private property. So one wouldn't typically wouldn't see topless women outside of those same areas.

the only women who'd deal with gawking and staring are the ones asking for it by not wearing tops.

First of all, I get gawked at too, and I do cover up. So I doubt that problem would solve itself by introducing more exciting targets. Secondly, personal responsibility is still personal responsibility. I'm not "asking for" people to leer at me topless, though of I course I acknowlege that people will look. People still have the responsibility of not acting like a creepy stalker.

[Greenday]

But there's absolutely no doubt that by peeling more clothing, you are going to attract more attention. It's guaranteed. And it sure as heck won't be good attention. If a woman is walking around topless in public, I'm going to stare. Maybe I'll stare because I'm attracted, maybe I'll stare because I can't believe a woman would actually do that. Maybe if it was legal for like 5-10 years straight it'd work. But it's going to be a crazy first few years if they ever legalize it.

[radiocerk]

Double standards

The idea that a woman has to cover up more than a man is a dumb, sexist reminder of America's puritaniccal origins. What's wrong with breasts? Is the sight of a female nipple going to topple democracy?

Now, I'm very generously endowed. I'd get people staring if I wore a burka. I prefer to do my gardening and other sweat-enducing work in my bra. I probably wouldn't go completely topless, just for the support, but I get very unfriendly glares for being within sight in my brassiere.

Why do women get a hard time for breast-feeding in public? That's as non-sexual as a boob gets, but it seems to traumatize people.

Women should not be automatically declared "more sexual" than men just because we've got different chromosomes. It's a copout, and a way to cling to an old-fashioned and antiquated idea. It's a short step from that idea, to the idea that a girl in a mini-skirt, or a tight top is a "slut", and from that to the rape victim "asked for it."

We need to grow up as a society, and expect people to be more mature sexually than the typical 16 year old boy. Otherwise things will never change for the better.

[the_std]

I think the big thing that American society would need to instill to make women going topless seem acceptable is to let men know that they don't have to be ravaging, hormonal, rampaging beasts. The societal stereotype of any man is that he can't help but be a pervert, that he has no vestige of self-control. It then falls on the woman to keep her goodies under lock and key so that these poor, helpless men will be less influenced by their primal natures. It's a load of bullshit. They're more than capable of restraining themselves and we shouldn't have to be their nannies.

[Rapscallion]

I would imagine that if there was a major swing towards women going topless, the objections would die away. Not, I hasten to add, because people would enjoy the sight, but because it would be accepted as the norm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoan_civilization for a culture that had bare-breasted women as the norm.

Minoan men wore loincloths and kilts. Women wore robes that were open to the navel, leaving their breasts exposed, and had short sleeves and layered flounced skirts. Women also had the option of wearing a strapless fitted bodice, the first fitted garments known in history. The patterns on clothes emphasized symmetrical geometric designs.

In response...

It then falls on the woman to keep her goodies under lock and key so that these poor, helpless men will be less influenced by their primal natures. It's a load of bullshit. They're more than capable of restraining themselves and we shouldn't have to be their nannies.

Feel free to start the trend of topless women. I won't ask for pictures. However, I will point out that 'should' doesn't always equate to reality.

Rapscallion

[Seshat]

The societal stereotype of any man is that he can't help but be a pervert, that he has no vestige of self-control. It then falls on the woman to keep her goodies under lock and key so that these poor, helpless men will be less influenced by their primal natures.

Which - as I've said before, and will say again - is hugely insulting to men. And places an impossible burden on women.

I've had any number of male doctors, ultrasound operators, and other medical people exposed to my naked body, and (gasp!) they've not turned into uncontrollable beasts.


As for women going topless in general: I'm in favour of the cultural change. But I won't be joining the topless women. I need the physical support.

I also probably won't be joining them for another reason: skin cancer. I'm alabaster-pale, and live under the ozone layer hole.

[IDrinkaRum]

It is legal in New York City for women to go topless if they so choose. It made the news about 10 or so years ago. The argument that won Womens rights to go topless was the argument that was mentioned earlier: Mens chests are just as sexually charged for people who find that attractive as womens chests are. So why should women have to cover up when men don't have to?

I am very well endowed (42DD bra size). However, I hate bras. I got braless as much as I can (especially in the house), but I'm so comfortable in my skin, I wouldn't mind going topless.

[Boozy]

It is legal for women to go topless here in the province of Ontario. One woman did it about 12 years ago, got arrested, and sued. She won.

And everyone freaked out about the impending invasion of half-naked women running around. Screams of "Think of the children!" etc.

I have not once in the last 12 years seen a woman topless in public.

Double standard or not, its a totally moot point here in Ontario. Its legal. No one cares. No one does it. Moving on.

The whole thing sort of reminds me of the gay marriage fiasco here in Canada. The courts have decided its legal, the political battle is over, the world (shockingly) has not come to an end, and few people are talking about it anymore.

Now that we aren't all obsessed with boobies and butt sex, perhaps we can actually get some shit done.

[Sylvia727]

To the people who live in areas where it's legal: do you see topless women in the areas you see topless men? Private properties, swimming pools, beaches? If yes, is it a huge deal? If no, then why shouldn't every place have the same legislation, since it doesn't make a huge difference.

I am very well endowed (42DD bra size). However, I hate bras. I got braless as much as I can (especially in the house), but I'm so comfortable in my skin, I wouldn't mind going topless.

I need soft cloth against my chest, as harsher cloth irritates my skin. And if I go braless, I start to feel the lack of support after twelve hours. So while I usually wear bras, there are times, especially when it's hot and muggy, when I strip down to undies and a very loose cotton tank top. I mean loose enough and the neckline plunges low enough that very little is left to the imagination. However, I can't wear this outfit outside of my house. I can't even wear it in my own yard. And I have to don more clothing whenever non-family or non-roomies are present. Which sucks. The people who make me wear more clothing don't mind shirtless guys. Why are my nipples so very offensive?

When we swim in creeks or late at night in hotels, my sister swims in just the bottom half of a bikini. (She can get away with that; I can't.) It hasn't been a problem so far. People are generally too embarassed to call her on it. It's like they're afraid to say, "Excuse me, miss, but your nipples are visible." I suppose that will change when some mother brings her child down to the hotel pool at midnight, but so far everyone's been fine with it.

I would imagine that if there was a major swing towards women going topless, the objections would die away. Not, I hasten to add, because people would enjoy the sight, but because it would be accepted as the norm. <snip>

Feel free to start the trend of topless women. I won't ask for pictures. However, I will point out that 'should' doesn't always equate to reality.

Rapscallion

Aye. But what if a major swing isn't what's needed/wanted? I imagine one would have trouble persuading Northern Canadian women to walk around in open robes. But seeing a woman's breasts on the tv shouldn't be seen as unusual (not knowing much about foreign censorship; it might not be a big deal up there or across the pond or down under). Likewise, in Midwest USA there's only about four months of the year someone could get away with it outside.

I'm not looking to be the person who gets arrested and sues the government. Not enough time or money. But at the same time, I think I might not have to be. We're already seeing women go braless under tight white shirts, and Janet Jackson flashed the entire nation. Braless women get called trashy and slutty, and derided as having no self-esteem, and the JJ/MTV penalties were pretty strict, but I don't think John Q. Citizen is as uptight as he used to be.