The Breast Example of a Double Standard

[RealDealNeverstop]

Men may be shirtless but women would be arrested. Why? Both have nipples. Both are chests. The primary function of breasts is to provide food yet our invention of sexual obsession over breasts creates the opposite perception. Equal protection under the law means women should be able to be topless in public just like men.

 

[DeathMagus]

...women should be able to be topless in public just like men.

No arguments here.

 

[JustOneWay]

Men may be shirtless but women would be arrested. Why? Both have nipples. Both are chests. The primary function of breasts is to provide food yet our invention of sexual obsession over breasts creates the opposite perception. Equal protection under the law means women should be able to be topless in public just like men.

Men are stupid, in general, and cant control their hormones. If women are allowed to walk around bare chested, expect more rapes. I suggest to women that they wear full body cloth with a covering for their face....just to be sure. It is for their own good.

 

[ArnautDaniel]

Burkas are the new black.

 

[kermit]

I personally think that beaches and pools in the US should allow topless. If you've ever traveled to the Caribbean or Europe you find that the topless beaches become second nature within a day or so. The first day you feel like a goofy 13 year old...."Don't look at the boobies. HAHA! Boobies". Within a day or so you find that you're no more tantalized by an attractive woman than you would be on a US beach.

 

[ImmortalTechnique]

Men may be shirtless but women would be arrested. Why? Both have nipples. Both are chests. The primary function of breasts is to provide food yet our invention of sexual obsession over breasts creates the opposite perception. Equal protection under the law means women should be able to be topless in public just like men.

while on the main I agree with what you're saying, the sexualization of breasts isn't JUST a societal thing- breasts are attractive, at least in part, on an instinctual level because of what they say about the health and childbearing qualities of the female that has them.

 

[DeathMagus]

while on the main I agree with what you're saying, the sexualization of breasts isn't JUST a societal thing- breasts are attractive, at least in part, on an instinctual level because of what they say about the health and childbearing qualities of the female that has them.

Right, but they're no more attractive in that sense than a youthful looking face, a fit body, or a number of other things that we don't consider "scandalous" to display (though we used to for some).

 

[scraparcs]

I think a more apropos equivalent would be to allow men to run around without pants.

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

So is this double standard an example of controlling women, our cultural sexual obsessions (referring to the virgin/harlot dichotomy), or teaching that we are animals and as such breasts must be covered? How is this law in sync with the Constitution?

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

Lel, why would pants be more apropos? If women could go bottomless and men couldn't, that would be the equivalent. Iam also not saying it should be legal for women to be topless. Iam saying if one gender is able then both should be and if not, make it illegal for men.

 

[WiredSpirit]

Aside from bathing, I don't think its really appropriate or common for men to go topless in public. Maybe you can sit on the sidewalk without a shirt, but you can't go into any stores or anything.

This thread title sure made for some interesting Google ads.

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

True, you can't go into stores like that, save for special parts of west virginia, texas, kentucky, etc. But, this is about the law making it legal for men and illegal for women. That is a double standard.

 

[Verv]

... You have gone off the deep end, man.

One could explain the differences of men and womens sexual desires and how men are very turned on by the chest, and I suppose you could say that their sex drive is more piqued by a shirtless woman than a woman is by a shirtless man. But this sort of thing would end up requiring people to start looking into studies about sexual arousal, etc. just to prove a simple fact...

I would also like to note a simple fact: I doubt most men would be comfortable showing up somewhere and there is a nude man, and I doubt most women would feel comfortable going somewhere where there was a topless woman.

It is not entirely based on sex drive by any means but is rather based on simple ideas of decency.

We wear clothes both to keep warm and also out of a simple idea of prudence, chastity and sensibility. People do not want to walk around and be bombarded with sexuality and they also do not want to look at other people's organs...

Of course these laws have nothing to do with the Constitution. They have everything to do with basic decency.

... If another culture's standards are different then so be it.

If you feel so repressed you can move into a tribal community or a nudist colony; you have that right. However, I think most people are very satisfied with the way things are.

 

[craigerNY]

Here in New York women can go topless in state parks if they wish. But then again the whole suffrage thing kinda started here anyway. We never have been much into the subjugating thing here so I guess I'll just have to take out my insecurities against women in some other way......

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

#13: thanks, going off the deep end usually means something positive in my experience. Your argument of 'decency' not being 'bombarded' with sexuality highlights my earlier point about the virgin/dichotomy. As stated, the primary function of breasts is food, not sex. So, why are bare breasts 'indecent' or 'dirty?' As for being bombarded with sex, have you been in a US major city lately? You can't walk 20 yards without being bombarded with ads of women in skimpy clothes posed in some submissive manner. Look at tv ads. Well over half use sex to peddle their cheap products.

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

Note: that shouldve been 'virgin/harlot dichotomy. Okay, seeing some red herrings. Nobody is talking about nude men or repression. If you want to argue men are turned on by bare breasts, so what? Are we animals incapable of controlling ourselves? There are tons of topless beaches and they don't need the Rape Police stationed every few feet. Seems like this law reflects our Western sexual objectification of women and we 'part' them out by their breasts, legs, etc. Hey, short skirts pique men's sexual interest so let's make them illegal. This is about equality and I've yet to see a sound argument that supports the double standard.

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

Here are three more examples of double standards. It's illegal to smoke in Federal buildings but in DC all the legislators can smoke in their offices. Gambling is illegal, so buy a lottery ticket. At 18 you can rock the Vote + get a free M-16. You may even be ordered to kill another human being. But wait three years before you crack that beer.

 

[Kalevalatar]

I would also like to note a simple fact: I doubt most men would be comfortable showing up somewhere and there is a nude man, and I doubt most women would feel comfortable going somewhere where there was a topless woman.

It is not entirely based on sex drive by any means but is rather based on simple ideas of decency.

I'm afraid I have to disagree here. "Decency" is entirely a cultural concept (as opposed to a "universal" concept). Not so long ago a view of a woman's ankle--let alone calf or knee--was considered "too much" for a (Western) man's peace of mind. Elsewhere there are Pacific and African cultures where both men and women go all but naked and cultures where a woman cannot show more than her eyes if she wishes to be considerd a decent, chaste woman.

Coming from an old and strong (unisex) sauna culture, if you like, I don't feel uncomfortable at all being naked among other women or seeing naked women, especially in a sauna/spa/lockerroom environment. I mean, I (*we*) do it all the time. So my fellow ladies have breasts of every shape and size; I have a pair too. My fellow ladies also have noses of every shape & size; and so do I. Big deal. Same with the men. Saunailta/sauna evening is an important and hugely popular social male/female/family/workplace/business bonding get-together event here. I have bathed with family members and friends of the opposite sex without getting all hot & bothered. Like Kermit said, you get used to it and the "wow" factor wears off faster than you know. Of course, it helps that Finnish sauna and sex do not belong together; trying to make sexual advances in a Finnish sauna is considered a big no-no. As to the complete strangers, I have taken unisex steam baths in a quality spa and had no problems there either. It's all about the right time and place. And social norms/mores, I suppose

I suppose I could also put forward the argument that sometimes less is actually more and a body in sexy underwear/clothing can be viewed to be more desirable than a wholly unclothed body with all its flaws, if you like, fully in view.

One could explain the differences of men and womens sexual desires and how men are very turned on by the chest, and I suppose you could say that their sex drive is more piqued by a shirtless woman than a woman is by a shirtless man.

I'm sure going to regret this but, uh-oh, no, not necessarily. Me, I like shirtless male chests. A lot.

 

[Kalevalatar]

This is about equality and I've yet to see a sound argument that supports the double standard.

Equality, my friend?

Maybe you should ask us ladies whether the majority of us would actually even like to go topless in public...

HINT: We are so emancipated we are no longer required to wear a bra, yet the majority of us still do. Know why?

ANOTHER HINT: No, it's not for warmth. No, it's not even for "decent" cover. One word: gravity.

My guess is, should this ever take wind, plastic surgeons would be rejoicing.

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

I've no doubt most women would stay top covered but this is about equality under the law and not how many would do what. As for plastic surgeons, iam already hearing ads where implants are sold just like cars. Complete with monthly payments and insurance.