Free The Nipple - Thoughts?
HughFreakingDillon
Winnipeg Posts: 37,354
I did a search and I was quite surprised to find nothing on the topic. What do all of you, women and men, think of this? Do you consider the female breast a sexual organ, or is it the same as a male's?
If you didn't know, the reason both genders have nipples is because nipples are formed in utero before gender is assigned.
I can't find anything to back this up, but I was sure about 10 years ago it became legal for women to walk around Winnipeg topless, just like men.
Should females be legally allowed to topless in public? If not, why? If so, do you believe there would be any social ramifications of such a change?
And no, I don't believe breastfeeding in public should even be part of this discussion. Women should be able to breastfeed in church, for all I care.
If you didn't know, the reason both genders have nipples is because nipples are formed in utero before gender is assigned.
I can't find anything to back this up, but I was sure about 10 years ago it became legal for women to walk around Winnipeg topless, just like men.
Should females be legally allowed to topless in public? If not, why? If so, do you believe there would be any social ramifications of such a change?
And no, I don't believe breastfeeding in public should even be part of this discussion. Women should be able to breastfeed in church, for all I care.
"Oh Canada...you're beautiful when you're drunk"
-EV 8/14/93
-EV 8/14/93
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Comments
-EV 8/14/93
This isn't 'Nam, Smokey. There are rules.
-EV 8/14/93
The gender is determined at fertilization, the father either gives an X or Y, that never changes weeks into pregnancy.
What actually happens is the embryo cant decode DNA and reproduce cells on its own, so it uses help from the Mother for the first weeks weeks of development and begins to grow basic features in all humans. It is in these first few weeks nipples are formed, before the embryo can begin to develop on its own.
Not that it really changes the topic at hand, but I don't see it as accurate to say gender is not assigned at fertilization.
To answer your question, no I dont think it should be legal.
Society sees a female nipple as a sexual organ. Almost every man does.
What would be the point to try to change the perception society has? Sure, if you make it legal it may be more and more common, and maybe within a few decades be almost normal, but what advantage would that be? I just don't see any reason in going out of the way to try and change a common perception unless you can show me there are some negative affects for considering the nipple a sexual organ. So why do it?
If perception changes then change the law, but there's no need to try and change the perception first.
I have no problems, but there is a huge can of worms waiting to be opened
-EV 8/14/93
my wife went topless in the dominican at our resort. there were kids around. many european. no one batted an eye. it just wasn't an issue. everyone was comfortable, there were no grown men or young boys oggling anyone. it was perfectly normal, and my wife loved it for how freeing it was.
even in mexico a few weeks ago a few women were topless, and it wasn't an issue. however, something I found hilarious and weird, is that at the play structure at an ajoining resort we visited had signs up saying "no topless" where the kids playing were all 12 and under. That's the age group that wouldn't even fucking notice!
"the way it's always been" is a terrible argument. I hear that at work all the time from the people who have been here for 20+ years and refuse change for the sake of change.
and it hasn't always been that way. it's been that way since religion told us it was so. in many cultures it isn't that way. of course, your average north american doesn't sexualize those women because they aren't "perky" from wearing bras their entire lives. all of a sudden, being natural isn't so sexual.
personally, it makes no difference to me. if anything, it would make my life radically uncomfortable. I have two daughters. one is pre-teen. it would make my life a living anxiety attack if it were legal and she were to take advantage of such a law. although, I was trying to find something about the legalities of it in Canada, and while it hasn't gone to the supreme court, I believe it is legal in at least a few provinces.
it just got me thinking because the other day my 7 year old daughter just came out and asked "Daddy, why do women have to wear shirts and men don't have to?". I am becoming more and more aware that I'm going to have to explain to my daughter all of the oppressive things they are going to have to deal with in their lives for no other reason than men can be assholes.
-EV 8/14/93
Times change. Views change. We hopefully evolve some over time.
(although it doesn't seem to be much of an issue in Europe)
Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable strolling around or going about my day topless in public. One, I'm simply modest in that sense...and two, it'd be pretty fucking weird to run into neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc. while bare-breasted.
Legit (and thoughtful!) question on the part of your young daughter, Hugh. Sadly, I think double standards will always exist.
"Thats the way its been" may be a terrible argument. But arguing "everyone else does it" is equally bad, if not worse.
Your bigger argument seems that we don't charge for fear of change while claiming we should conform to the rest of the world? Why do we care what Europe does? If it is normal to walk around topless in Europe then thats great for Europe. How does that affect North America?
I'm not saying to fear change or even repress it. But how you view fear of change as a negative, I probably view pushing for change for the sake of change as an equal negative. Which sounds like the case and leaves my to my first question; if most people, and even more women, are uncomfortable with it, why push it (aside from hot summer days and Europe)?
A lot of men find women's hair sexy; should women cover their hair, too? What about shapely legs? Should we harken back to the Victorians and cover them, too? And why should what you find sexually attractive determine how women can dress?
That was the most inaccurate and idiotic response I've seen in a long time. Where did I or anyone else make the statement or imply this is because men cant control themselves? No where. No where has anyone even suggested a burka or victorian clothing. Its what ALL of society feels more comfortable with.
Who is determining how women can dress? Because there is a law that prevents women from showing body parts that are deemed sexual? So you don't have the right to tell me not to wave my genitals around then? I mean, who are you to tell me how to dress....
The OP even said that more women than men are against making it legal.
What I did say was the vast majority of society, including mostly women, do not feel comfortable making it legal. So why push it?
What you are saying is ignore what the majority wishes for, and push the country in a different direction anyway, but go ahead and accuse someone of radical Islam so my opinion sounds more profound.
You are the only one to bring up how men feel into the debate. All I said was why push for change when the majority don't want it. And from that you jump to burkas and hijabs and men being out of control? Seriously? How in the world did you make that leap? One person mentioned men and thier inability to control themselves, and that was you. But somehow that is my argument? Did you even read anything that was written, or did you just start typing away?
I mean geesh, if more women don't want it legal why are you hiding behind women's rights as your cause to see more breasts? Why do you feel the need to tell women what to wear and push YOUR agenda? And anyone who doesnt agree with YOU compare them to radical nations who dont have women's rights because they dont share the same beliefs as you about nudity.
What would be the point to try to change the perception society has? Sure, if you make it legal it may be more and more common, and maybe within a few decades be almost normal, but what advantage would that be? I just don't see any reason in going out of the way to try and change a common perception unless you can show me there are some negative affects for considering the nipple a sexual organ. So why do it?
If perception changes then change the law, but there's no need to try and change the perception first.
You said it.
But from that there is a logical leap to burkas? Hard to take anyone seriously who would rationalize that thought process. And to be honest, looks to me like another example someone using women's rights to push one's own agenda when the thought process is that flawed.
my comment about europe was not "we should do what they do". it's an example that societies can do it without all the fear of "oh my god! my son's going to get a boner because that girl is showing her breasts!".
I don't say change for the sake of change. I don't advocate for that. I'm saying why are women forced to wear a shirt when men aren't? it really is as simple as that. it's not their fault that many men are pigs.
Interesting, men used to be allowed to wear shorts and sandals to work where I work. That changed last summer. They WENT BACKWARDS. Women are allowed to wear skirts (my boss wears ones that nearly show off her bits) and sandals, not to mention sleeveless tops, but I'm forced to wear a collared shirt, pants and dress shoes. I think that's bullshit. Especially since I bus to work, so I'm a sweaty mess when I arrive. how professional does that look?
and as to your last question, I'm not "pushing" anything. I'm merely conducting a discussion asking for people's opinion. yes, many women don't support it. so the rest need to suffer because a prudes don't want to do it themselves? that's the same argument of why so many women feel shame for breastfeeding in public.
-EV 8/14/93
it's not OUR AGENDA. it's so WOMEN HAVE THE SAME OPTIONS AS MEN. no one is telling women they are REQUIRED to go topless. how did you get to that? do what makes you feel comfortable. if you want to wear clothing up to your eyes, have at it.
No, you can't put your junk out for all to see. Those are genitals, and everyone's, male and female, stay hidden. Women's breasts are not sexual organs. they play zero part in conception. they are there for one purpose: food for babies. it doesn't matter if it's the perception of the majority that they are: the point is they aren't. the majority think they are because society said they are.
many older and/or fatter men have breasts that look exactly like women's. why aren't they forced to cover them up?
-EV 8/14/93
Except for fat guys' breasts though.
-EV 8/14/93
-EV 8/14/93