So if you don't have pretty ones, will someone force you to put your clothes back on?
6
I don't know about these girls, but personally my nipples are very sensitive and very sensual and sexy. I keep them for very special people only, like my husband and babies.
5
Ironic how the video is age restricted on youtube when the entire video is based on the premise that censoring nipples should be a thing of the past.
3
This reminds me of a Seinfeld episode "When does sex start?"
"When the nipple makes its first appearance."
"When the nipple makes its first appearance."
13
Random thing to add to the discussion:
No other species has large breasts on women. There's a theory that human women look like that because men were attracted to women with larger breasts and wide hips.
I always found that theory interesting because it's kind of a crazy thought, usually you think of natural selection as selecting traits that were important for survival. This would seem to indicate that we've been so good at survival for so long that other things might actually have influenced how we are constructed.
So there is some reason to believe that the entire purpose of large breasts on human women is to be attract men, and that's not true of the male breast. As to what this means for equal rights and the free the nipple movement, I have no idea.
No other species has large breasts on women. There's a theory that human women look like that because men were attracted to women with larger breasts and wide hips.
I always found that theory interesting because it's kind of a crazy thought, usually you think of natural selection as selecting traits that were important for survival. This would seem to indicate that we've been so good at survival for so long that other things might actually have influenced how we are constructed.
So there is some reason to believe that the entire purpose of large breasts on human women is to be attract men, and that's not true of the male breast. As to what this means for equal rights and the free the nipple movement, I have no idea.
7
The issue is not about baring nipples, it's about baring breasts.
4
In a group? Yes. Rented a 125cc on Corfu once - by myself - to check out that island's many different beautiful beaches. Including a topless one. Where I did so. Even with other women baring-I thought beautifully-on the beach I felt many stares. Every time I looked about, men staring at me. My breasts. Hardly the showiest or best imo. Recently, I castigated LinkedIn (LI) because many very insecure women pose themselves-and their body parts-in their photos or updates. Most all commenters are men. It's unprofessional, uncool, unhip-to me, gross, to see insecure (they aren't reading books in their shots) women pandering to men. Commented that it belonged on Facebook rather than LI, commented to LI about it. Guess what? They removed my photo of the Paris Peace Symbol, with the background I had of real blooming flowers. I was connected with more than 2700 persons-many of whom don't have facial photos either. Perhaps like me, they've been stalked five times. I regress. Sexual assault isn't cool or hip or professional. Thus my take remains this:only in groups, ladies, only in groups. You live in a messed up, women hating by men and women hating by women world. It's ugly, it's brutal and it's chock full of leches. Last week I was in criminal court supporting a woman brutalized and tortured by a lech. Her ex. She easily could've died. Your idea a great one in theory. Read Plato. Or even Marx. Looks wondrous in theory. Humans make it ugly, unfortunately. Fast. 0:-)a
10
I suspect that most of the people objecting to women going topless are other women. But be that as it may, men will tend to stare at breasts that are attractive, just as they stare at eyes, lips, ears, and legs that are attractive (and women stare at, I suppose, intelligence and good breeding).
As it currently stands with breasts, we have no metric but size. With a little more exposure, our tastes may change.
As it currently stands with breasts, we have no metric but size. With a little more exposure, our tastes may change.
13
Women in the US can show their breast in public, no problem....but if they show a nipple, "trouble" just plan dumb.....Hey girls , it's not your breast,,,,it's just your nipples, men can show theirs, no problem....no one says a single thing...
Americans are well, stupid......
Oh, here is a warning though.....I am a man, and once I sunburned my nipples,,,,Ouch!!!! be careful in the sun....you do Not want to sunburn your nipples,,,,,,NO..!!!
Americans are well, stupid......
Oh, here is a warning though.....I am a man, and once I sunburned my nipples,,,,Ouch!!!! be careful in the sun....you do Not want to sunburn your nipples,,,,,,NO..!!!
4
The underlying problem is, men are sexually triggered by the sight of a woman's body, but the reverse is not so true. So while a man and woman exposing their nipples may be equal actions, the reactions are not. But I consider that to be a men's problem, not women's, and I support women's rights to go topless if they want to.
I think female nipples would cease to have such an sexual connotation if women exposed their breasts all the time, or much of the time, as in traditional Polynesian or Balinese societies. It's only when they are covered up forbidden fruit that they become erotic,
I think female nipples would cease to have such an sexual connotation if women exposed their breasts all the time, or much of the time, as in traditional Polynesian or Balinese societies. It's only when they are covered up forbidden fruit that they become erotic,
26
What a fun short film! Congratulations to all the women with enough confidence to ditch their bras and let their girls hang free. I think male's fascination with breast starts very early, my 18 month old is always sneaking his hands into my sweaters and blouses for a feel. He also loves to snuggle between them when he gives me a hug!
3
Our puritanism is ridiculous, go to any European beach.
Up until the later 1980s you could be topless at sections of 2 beaches in LA, then suddenly a crackdown and tickets were issued. When we complained they added men's buttocks to the forbidden body parts to ticket, therefore not discriminating. ha.
Good for these young women, knowing their rights and sticking to it. I hope they bring their zeal to other inequality issues as well.
Up until the later 1980s you could be topless at sections of 2 beaches in LA, then suddenly a crackdown and tickets were issued. When we complained they added men's buttocks to the forbidden body parts to ticket, therefore not discriminating. ha.
Good for these young women, knowing their rights and sticking to it. I hope they bring their zeal to other inequality issues as well.
17
Polite ladies don't bare their breasts. When they have been asked to cover up, they've said, "What is a breast?" Surely a little cleavage doesn't need to be covered up. A scorched-earth conflict ensued, the final battleground being the nipple. Surely if the nipple is exposed, the bare-breast war has been lost. And so it has happened.
Personally, I find bare breasts erotic (and I'm an older gay man). If the situation continues, men in general will be continually distracted and put in a constant state of confusion and arousal. To mitigate this undesirable situation, women must de-eroticize their bodies -- not by wearing burkas, like Muslims, but by getting naked. Given that we live in a cold climate, most of the time this de-eroticization takes place women must wear sheer clothes. Then men can pretend to not look at them, and society will return to peace.
Personally, I find bare breasts erotic (and I'm an older gay man). If the situation continues, men in general will be continually distracted and put in a constant state of confusion and arousal. To mitigate this undesirable situation, women must de-eroticize their bodies -- not by wearing burkas, like Muslims, but by getting naked. Given that we live in a cold climate, most of the time this de-eroticization takes place women must wear sheer clothes. Then men can pretend to not look at them, and society will return to peace.
6
I respect these ladies constitutional right to express themselves in public any way they see fit. But your nude likeness gets saved on the internet for posterity and seen all over the world. I'd encourage my wife to decline for the sake of privacy.
5
Quite honestly I wish both men and women would keep their shirts on in public unless they are at the beach, the swimming pool, or in the locker room. A certain amount of modesty seems reasonable doesn't it? I've never understood why some men want to show everyone their pecks and abs. Please keep them to yourself and your partner. Even when I was young and reasonably good looking I didn't understand the appeal.
I don't want to see a woman wearing nothing but a thong in public, and I don't want to see a guy walking around in his briefs while carrying a guitar. Both of these situations is offensive.
As for a group of beautiful young women meeting in Central Park to take off their tops and bras and read books, couldn't you just wait until you get home? Let's hide the nipples of both sexes. If you are breast-feeding, fine, but you can put a light town or blanket over yourself for some modesty can't you?
We have a world full of inequality, disease, poverty, homelessness, starvation, crime, war, and violence. Is freeing the nipple really all that important? Is this really the cause that some people want to take up? Is this really a necessary article for The New York Times?
As for the tattoo artist who specializes in recreating nipples on the breasts of cancer survivors. I think that's awesome! Finally an appropriate use for body art.
I don't want to see a woman wearing nothing but a thong in public, and I don't want to see a guy walking around in his briefs while carrying a guitar. Both of these situations is offensive.
As for a group of beautiful young women meeting in Central Park to take off their tops and bras and read books, couldn't you just wait until you get home? Let's hide the nipples of both sexes. If you are breast-feeding, fine, but you can put a light town or blanket over yourself for some modesty can't you?
We have a world full of inequality, disease, poverty, homelessness, starvation, crime, war, and violence. Is freeing the nipple really all that important? Is this really the cause that some people want to take up? Is this really a necessary article for The New York Times?
As for the tattoo artist who specializes in recreating nipples on the breasts of cancer survivors. I think that's awesome! Finally an appropriate use for body art.
17
We could use your logic to say this and turn it 180 degrees: "We have a world full of inequality, disease, poverty, homelessness, starvation, crime, war, and violence. Is SPEAKING AGAINST freeing the nipple really all that important? Is this really the cause that some people want to take up?
9
I will gladly keep my nipples under cover. I just wish men would extend me the same courtesy. If women are able to run marathons while wearing tops, why oh why cannot a man mow his grass with a shirt on.
19
There are bad people out there and I question the judgement of these young women.
They should be free to dress as they wish, but please use caution.
These photos may come back and haunt you in your latter years.
They should be free to dress as they wish, but please use caution.
These photos may come back and haunt you in your latter years.
2
On the one hand, I'm all for it. I was raised with pretty puritanical values, but that's way past me now. Female nipples in public? I love the idea.
Breast-feeding in public? By all means. This is not to say I don't sexualize such things in my dirty little, formerly puritan mind. It just means I can now capitalize on those values of my childhood and youth and get a much better naughty high from such concepts now. But, I gotta admit, I haven't yet figured out how to reconcile the stretch-pants being worn in my workday casual business office. I mean, I love freedom and choice and I love the style so many women rock these days (and not all of them young -- again, no complaints here!) But in truth, after having 5 or 6 years to grow accustomed to it, I still find the stretch pants a distraction -- a sexualized distraction.
I guess it's my problem. I have to adapt. Me. Women are free to flaunt their artistically beautiful, amazing curves, and perhaps their lovely breasts and nipples, too, as they choose to do so for personal style. They are, and I think they should be. It's not easy for me, but I will suffer silently for their freedom..... And asking me not to see these developments in a sexualized way, well, as enlightened and politically progress as I am, that's probably not realistic for me, nor for most red-blooded American pigs -- I mean males.
Breast-feeding in public? By all means. This is not to say I don't sexualize such things in my dirty little, formerly puritan mind. It just means I can now capitalize on those values of my childhood and youth and get a much better naughty high from such concepts now. But, I gotta admit, I haven't yet figured out how to reconcile the stretch-pants being worn in my workday casual business office. I mean, I love freedom and choice and I love the style so many women rock these days (and not all of them young -- again, no complaints here!) But in truth, after having 5 or 6 years to grow accustomed to it, I still find the stretch pants a distraction -- a sexualized distraction.
I guess it's my problem. I have to adapt. Me. Women are free to flaunt their artistically beautiful, amazing curves, and perhaps their lovely breasts and nipples, too, as they choose to do so for personal style. They are, and I think they should be. It's not easy for me, but I will suffer silently for their freedom..... And asking me not to see these developments in a sexualized way, well, as enlightened and politically progress as I am, that's probably not realistic for me, nor for most red-blooded American pigs -- I mean males.
11
Finally, a NY Times video worth watching...Uh, I mean, what a progressive piece of cinema verite.
10
I am all for freeing the nipple. But the young lady is mistaken in saying that "someone sexualized" the female breast. The female breast is an evolved sexual signal in our species. In our nearest relatives, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, who go about mostly on all four limbs, the female's breast is not permanently enlarged, but enlarges only during lactation. They instead use swollen vulvas, which are visible as they move about, as a sexual signal. When our ancestors began to walk upright and the vulva was then tucked more out of sight, but the chest was more visible, human females evolved permanently enlarged breasts. For the same reason (visibility), human males also evolved larger penises (on average) than the other apes. Also note how the range of normal sizes of both human penises and female breasts is much greater than for other body parts. With the exception of people with genetic abnormalities, adult human heads, arms, etc., do not routinely vary by 2, 3 or 4 times in size, like penises and female breasts do.
13
I disagree, actually. If you study anthropology, you will quickly learn that in many, many societies, women did not traditionally cover their breasts. It was once the European colonizers came that they made them do so. (Some examples: Sri Lanka and Bali).
6
What a great battle to wage for equality. Real heroes, these women are. Rather than advance the efforts of civilization to ennoble the human body and render it alluring through dress, let us strip it bare so that, through habituation, we can better appreciate its natural functions. Then we can at last run around naked, bestial, and unencumbered, like a bunch of baboons.
8
The breast is sexualized in America. That's not going away anytime soon. I look at bare legs and midriffs being flaunted and I have done it for the last fifty years at least. If you'd told me 'if you see enough bare legs you'll eventually calm down and stop sexualizing them', then I gotta say, personally, in my case, you're proved wrong.
8
Those that are aghast when they see a woman's breast or a woman breast feeding are often the same ones who oppose sex education. Their children find about the process through hormone induced experimentation.
5
It's not simply a puritanical attitude that created the disconnect between men's and women's nipples. It more likely goes back to the Victorian attitude that women need to be protected from men, who are savages who cannot control themselves when confronted by a naked female. Thus, the way to protect women and keep the men restrained is to limit the amount of flesh a woman can show in public.
An excellent example of circular logic.
An excellent example of circular logic.
4
Next thing you know, women will be showing their ankles, riding bicycles, and allowed to read!
Note: these are all things that at one point in our past were touted as the end of civilization.
For Pete's sake, it's a nipple. They are breasts. Get over it.
Note: these are all things that at one point in our past were touted as the end of civilization.
For Pete's sake, it's a nipple. They are breasts. Get over it.
42
Used to be immodest to show an ankle, then a calf, then a knee, then a thigh. Some cover their hair. Some don't allow cleavage. Pushing the envelope is inevitable and usually a good thing.
As far as men being attracted, sometimes a nice ankle or calf is very pleasing. And who can deny an beautiful head of hair? A nice set of breasts will always be a pleasure, no matter how many women go bare breasted. For both men and women clothes cover a myriad of imperfections.
As far as men being attracted, sometimes a nice ankle or calf is very pleasing. And who can deny an beautiful head of hair? A nice set of breasts will always be a pleasure, no matter how many women go bare breasted. For both men and women clothes cover a myriad of imperfections.
3
If Free-The-Nipple gets some traction maybe it will cascade into loosening the gender disparity in corporate dress codes. Men aren't allowed to show the same amount of skin at work (legs, arms, neckline etc..) much less the same flexibility with jewelry, hair color/length, painted nails, cosmetics, shoes and other clothing options. Giving ONLY women these expressive options perpetuates the female as sexualized decoration object and relegates the male to a boring, discriminatory uniform. Why do we allow arbitrary, culturally-manufactured gender inequality to drive the way INDIVIDUALS express themselves?
8
1) Europe: I don't see women in the cities walking around topless. Sunbathing on the beach or in a park yes. I've seen women on their work lunch break sunbathing, but when they go back to the office or catch the tram they put their clothes back on.
2) I'm not against being topless in public (see point 1 above) it per se. But to be done with a certain modesty.
3) I don't mind breastfeeding, but please don't get angry at me if I am, for just a moment, taken aback.
4) Some of the ladies' (in the book club and in Times Sq) nipples were on camera and some not on camera or covered with their long hair. If it was done intentionally by the ladies and not just a coincidence, That seems like a weak commitment, So I'm getting a mixed message.
5) The ladies in Times Sq, by painting their breasts, are covering their nipples. And posing in a such a manner as to attract for shock value. I think that brings to question their intent.
6) I was an artist model for years. Sometimes the art was a study of shapes and forms. Sometimes it was a pose meant to entice. I didn't sit for the latter. The intent or context matters.
2) I'm not against being topless in public (see point 1 above) it per se. But to be done with a certain modesty.
3) I don't mind breastfeeding, but please don't get angry at me if I am, for just a moment, taken aback.
4) Some of the ladies' (in the book club and in Times Sq) nipples were on camera and some not on camera or covered with their long hair. If it was done intentionally by the ladies and not just a coincidence, That seems like a weak commitment, So I'm getting a mixed message.
5) The ladies in Times Sq, by painting their breasts, are covering their nipples. And posing in a such a manner as to attract for shock value. I think that brings to question their intent.
6) I was an artist model for years. Sometimes the art was a study of shapes and forms. Sometimes it was a pose meant to entice. I didn't sit for the latter. The intent or context matters.
4
Regarding #4, it was entirely a matter of how the videographer chose to edit the piece (something over which we had zero control), or how long our hair happened to be. No covering of our breasts was intentional or a sign of "weak commitment." You don't agree to be filmed topless in public by the New York Times and potentially seen by millions of Times readers if this isn't a cause you believe in.
7
Regarding #5: I think what calls their intent into question much more than the paint and posing is the fact that they're accepting money. As I recall, the city was looking into that as part of its rationale for cracking down on them (since they were allegedly engaging in commercial activity). That being said, I certainly don't claim to know their true intentions.
2
Most other cultures around the world are far less impressed by an exposed female breast. I suspect this American aversion traces back to our puritanical religious roots. Even in Europe it is very common to see a woman topless at a swimming pool or beach without garnering so much as a second look and this has been the case for at least fifty years. It’s high time we let this go of this stultifying cultural characteristic as it would signal a step forward toward eliminating the objectification of women.
4
It has been suggested that women's hemispherical breasts evolved as a secondary sex stimulus when humans walked upright (Desmond Morris, 1967). For chimps and baboons, who don't walk upright, the attractive stimulus is the butt. Maybe so.
3
it is a good idea to expose adolescents to this video. they may even start reading the NY Times !
5
You want to say that there's no difference between a woman exposing her breasts and a man doing so, yet you post a video where women are topless in Times Square and collecting tips! I'm guessing that I wouldn't have much luck trying to do the same.
Vive la Difference!
Vive la Difference!
8
Women will have trouble collecting tips too in a few years when everyone is used to seeing their nips... Cause once you seen two, you've seen them all.
sexism at its best!
The naked cowboy does exactly that. What's the difference?
3
The anachronistic hypocrisy of banning women's nipples in 2016 is especially ludicrous, since the predominant sexual organ, the mouth, is ubiquitous and flaunted in every way possible.
10
I've noticed (as an over 60 person) that there is a newish
cultural tone of neo-puritanism (which is a flip side of neo-neo
shock vulgarity idiocy a la pop-hip hop folks), a lot of tittering (pun/no pun intended), and the vigorous earnest efforts of a new generation to remake the activities and attitudes of the 60's over in their own image, being at the same time philosophically timid. God bless em, though, since the US is so tedious and adolescent in so many ways.
I spent years as an artist's model. I don't recall ever getting unwanted
prurient interference (well, once), and as some commenters say, if you spend time in Europe, for example, this kind of thing is not an issue, and men are
culturally acclimated to behave like civilized adults, generally. The breast thing is pretty fetishistic in this country. However, I don't think women should breast feed openly in restaurants. That's pretty gaggy.
cultural tone of neo-puritanism (which is a flip side of neo-neo
shock vulgarity idiocy a la pop-hip hop folks), a lot of tittering (pun/no pun intended), and the vigorous earnest efforts of a new generation to remake the activities and attitudes of the 60's over in their own image, being at the same time philosophically timid. God bless em, though, since the US is so tedious and adolescent in so many ways.
I spent years as an artist's model. I don't recall ever getting unwanted
prurient interference (well, once), and as some commenters say, if you spend time in Europe, for example, this kind of thing is not an issue, and men are
culturally acclimated to behave like civilized adults, generally. The breast thing is pretty fetishistic in this country. However, I don't think women should breast feed openly in restaurants. That's pretty gaggy.
3
Your feeling that a women breast feeding is "pretty gaggy" is a purely societal influence. Its as biologically normal for an infant to receive nourishment as it is for an adult to eat. Having said that, I have felt pretty gagged by inadvertently seeing the way some adults eat with food falling out of their mouths, etc. much more so than seeing an infant suckle a breast. Its all about the way we view it based on our acculturation. Viva la Mama.
15
As an over 60 guy I agree with everything you say except the breast feeding part
Our aversion to public nudity is perverse and hypocritical, especially in light of the violence anyone can easily witness on a screen or at a stadium. Ultimately, are not each one of us responsible for how we respond to any given stimulus? Requiring women to dress in certain ways to keep many men from behaving or thinking in certain ways is putting the burdon on the wrong party. If one party (gender) cannot control themselves in society then they should be confined. If one party can't control their thoughts that is their problem.
10
"O.K. You might be thinking, There’s a gender pay gap. Who cares about nipple censorship?"
Actually, I might be thinking, "If young women really gave a crap about gender equality, why don't they go help a single Latina or African mom, who is holding down several jobs, with day care? With her educational goals? To write a cover letter?"
Let's get real here. This Free The Nipple "movement" is the purview of the educated, privileged few. Their point about men's nipples versus women's is fine, but is this really a vanguard worth leading? Or just a kind of academic narcissism, kids looking for a cause? In this case, their cause seems just a tad selfish, given the other races and tax brackets of women who could really use some equality. And some help.
In this case, asking "Where's the modesty?" does not mean, "Why don't they cover up?"
Actually, I might be thinking, "If young women really gave a crap about gender equality, why don't they go help a single Latina or African mom, who is holding down several jobs, with day care? With her educational goals? To write a cover letter?"
Let's get real here. This Free The Nipple "movement" is the purview of the educated, privileged few. Their point about men's nipples versus women's is fine, but is this really a vanguard worth leading? Or just a kind of academic narcissism, kids looking for a cause? In this case, their cause seems just a tad selfish, given the other races and tax brackets of women who could really use some equality. And some help.
In this case, asking "Where's the modesty?" does not mean, "Why don't they cover up?"
15
as a man I would say that it is a movement worth advancing. Why do so many feminists disagree? Are they opposed to freedom?
3
Men associate female breasts with sex because for many men the only time they see a breast is when they are mating. I spent some time in a place where nudity was common. At first I was visually aroused. After a while I noticed that I stopped paying attention. If the stimulus becomes common, and not associated with mating, the stimulus ceases.
70
more importantly, women would end up losing influence over men if it were to become common! Let it be so immediately! Maybe this is the real reason so many feminists are opposed.
Total nudity is legal in San Francisco. This is common during the pride parade but is not specific to any day or circumstance.
3
That's sort of true, but I'll tell you, it's pretty gross. The vast majority of those who take advantage of this absurd license are elderly male homosexuals.
Though I think we make too much of female breast sanctity, general decency
and consideration for others according to context practiced by all genders would be the way to go. In a club, who cares? On the street uutside City Hall, decency, if you want to use that word.
Though I think we make too much of female breast sanctity, general decency
and consideration for others according to context practiced by all genders would be the way to go. In a club, who cares? On the street uutside City Hall, decency, if you want to use that word.
3
It is truly absurd that only the nipple is banned from the majority of social media. The trend of Photoshopping male nipples over female ones illustrates this perfectly - I love it.
To our children this will be a non issue. I'm looking forward to the day.
To our children this will be a non issue. I'm looking forward to the day.
17
"Men are men and they can't contain themselves."
Isn't this the same argument that is used in the Middle East to cover women from head to toe, at the least, and justify rape at the worst?
Isn't this the same argument that is used in the Middle East to cover women from head to toe, at the least, and justify rape at the worst?
37
Or the ultra-orthodox Haredi. If Jewish men are approaching women coming down the street towards them, women must cross to the other side of the street so as not to give these men "bad thoughts". There are plenty of other examples of men controlling women.
There are certainly cultural differences towards nudity. Americans are prudes and as such we as a culture are hypersexualized compared many European countries.
At the same time, breasts are secondary sexual characteristics as John above wrote. Secondary sexual characteristics are subject to coevolutionary sexual selection. Men didn't sexualize the breast. The breast probably acquired the additional function of a sexually selected trait following bipedalism in the hominin lineage.
A trait can have more than one function. What are function of feathers? Originally protofeathers probably served as insulation. They were then subsequently used as a signal to display social dominance, as a sexually selected trait in sexual selection (male male competition and female choice) in dinosaurs, and then finally to enhance flight.
There are certainly cultural differences towards nudity. Americans are prudes and as such we as a culture are hypersexualized compared many European countries.
At the same time, breasts are secondary sexual characteristics as John above wrote. Secondary sexual characteristics are subject to coevolutionary sexual selection. Men didn't sexualize the breast. The breast probably acquired the additional function of a sexually selected trait following bipedalism in the hominin lineage.
A trait can have more than one function. What are function of feathers? Originally protofeathers probably served as insulation. They were then subsequently used as a signal to display social dominance, as a sexually selected trait in sexual selection (male male competition and female choice) in dinosaurs, and then finally to enhance flight.
I fall out in many issues in unpopular places. As a cis gay man I was opposed to marriage equality on the ground that marriage rights discriminate against single people. Better, I thought, for all marriage rights to be abolished. And in this regard I too disagree. Rather, I think, no one should be allowed go topless, whatever their gender. Never once have I taken my shirt off at the beach, nor will I, till everyone is free to bare their chests, or no one. Where are the men who are remained shirted in support of women?
1
Come to New York. Women can bare their breasts in any public place where men are permitted to do so. Liberate your nipples!
1
Forget the nipple. Some elementary schools still forbid leggings and yoga pants for girls because they are "too revealing." The US has still a long, long, long, long way to go...
25
Bathing suits made for Americans are lined and padded in the breast area. God forbid anybody should detect the outline of a nipple under the fabric! As a result you have to sweat under layers of fabric.
In America women buy foam pads to put into their bras for fear their nipples will show.
And some still doubt that Americans have a breast problem?
In America women buy foam pads to put into their bras for fear their nipples will show.
And some still doubt that Americans have a breast problem?
12
Whoa....I was really worried about my nipples. Thankfully, I read this article and I got a load off my chest.
5
When young teenage boys from my son's school in the US would visit him in the summer in the South of France many years ago, it was interesting to see how they reacted to topless French women who were everywhere on the beaches of the Cote d'Azur. Young French boys of the same age were totally unimpressed, because that is the way women look as far as they were concerned. It was also interesting to see the difference between the way French women and US women would approach toplessness at the beach. For French women, it was something casually and naturally done. For US women who chose to go topless there was often an element of exhibitionalism, and they frequently wanted their breasts to be admired. There were definitely other cultural differences as well. And, it is also undoubtedly true that just as some men look much better clothed, the same is true for some women.
All that being said, we in the US are obsessed with sex. We use it to sell almost everything, and it often morphs into internet porn and unrealistic expectations of what it is and how to deal with our sexuality. Perhaps, the discussion in this article is a good idea as, in many ways, it puts things into perspective. Our sexuality is a necessary part of human existence, but it does not need to be the dominant part. And, as the French are fond of saying, "Vive la différence."
All that being said, we in the US are obsessed with sex. We use it to sell almost everything, and it often morphs into internet porn and unrealistic expectations of what it is and how to deal with our sexuality. Perhaps, the discussion in this article is a good idea as, in many ways, it puts things into perspective. Our sexuality is a necessary part of human existence, but it does not need to be the dominant part. And, as the French are fond of saying, "Vive la différence."
26
"All that being said, we in the US are obsessed with sex. We use it to sell almost everything, and it often morphs into internet porn and unrealistic expectations of what it is and how to deal with our sexuality"
I have a news flash for you, sex is used to sell everywhere. And porn is everywhere too. The US does not have a monopoly.
I have a news flash for you, sex is used to sell everywhere. And porn is everywhere too. The US does not have a monopoly.
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Actually, NATURE sexualized the human breast. Most primate species females have developed alluring buttocks, larger and more colorful generally then the males, specifically to stimulate the interest of the males who would mount them from the rear. As the human species took more to face to face mating, something was needed in front to simulate the human female buttock, and the larger breast served the purpose.
FREE THE NIPPLE!!
FREE THE NIPPLE!!
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Men have been seeing more and more of them anyway, for years. Women have been flaunting extended cleavage and prominent nipple voguing through tissue thin fabric since at least the late seventies. A trick I first noticed then was the young woman bending to show a male there was no bra. By now men are fairly used to this. Good time to start putting up videos in the NYTimes. Wouldn't want the audience to grow bored.
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The big problem is the skindustry that exists on the sexualizing of boobs... They create the current sexualied images... They make lots of money from those who pay to see boobs... Movies, magazines, live... But if the women give away their store... All that self serving sexualizing will be quickly and severely curtailed... No money in it any more...
Do it ladies. Clear the air. The men will still love you...
And I would say for much better reasons.
Do it ladies. Clear the air. The men will still love you...
And I would say for much better reasons.
I heartily applaud these women. Breasts are an admirable part of creation.
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Hooray for bodies, and boobies, and nipplage too. They all make the world a better place. Can I get a rec'men'?
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As others have said and will, nipples are a "thing" in the U.S., elsewhere topless sunbathing just isn't a big deal. Nearly 40 years ago my then wife and I, newlyweds and in our early 20's were on Paradise Island and after a few minutes I realized many women were topless. I mentioned it to my wife and without missing a beat she said "What's the big deal, if you've seen two you've seen them all"
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Actually, your wife is wrong. One of the delights of large numbers of topless women at the beach or in the park is that there is so much individuality.
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lol I just used that same term... but I didn't get it from your wife... Even though I've been to Paradise Island too.. lol
But it's exactly correct...
But it's exactly correct...
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To which I would have replied, "yeah, but I'd like to put that theory to the test".
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In my opinion the lead image of the video is click bait. It's the most enticing. Better to show a less suggestive view.
I have a friend who goes on large weeklong organized bike rides every summer where they use large trucks to move gear from campground to campground ahead of the bikes.
One rule they have in camp is no one over 21 should be shirtless in camp, male or female. Not in deference to puritanism, but gravity.
I have a friend who goes on large weeklong organized bike rides every summer where they use large trucks to move gear from campground to campground ahead of the bikes.
One rule they have in camp is no one over 21 should be shirtless in camp, male or female. Not in deference to puritanism, but gravity.
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If women went around topless, it would take a while, but eventually, it would be considered no big thing. On the other hand, considering how easily scandalized this country is, maybe we ought to go in the other direction when it comes to gender equality. Maybe men shouldn't be allowed to go topless lest they be accused of frightening the ladies, the children and the horses on the street.
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50 years after Europe ...
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In the villages of Malawi, boobs are seen everywhere. Knees not so much.
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Oy, sitting topless in a NYC park...
Would we encourage pubescent/adolescent boys to even watch the video? Would we encourage pubescent/adolescent girls to join the movement?
Women's breasts and nipples are miracles of creation, every one unique.
Pick your battles.
Would we encourage pubescent/adolescent boys to even watch the video? Would we encourage pubescent/adolescent girls to join the movement?
Women's breasts and nipples are miracles of creation, every one unique.
Pick your battles.
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Short answer: yes. We would encourage young people of either gender to watch the video and join the movement, and to learn that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of and that equality between the sexes is something to be prized, honored, respected, and cherished. Boys need to see girls and women who are comfortable with their bodies casually enjoying the freedom to cover or expose their bodies in exactly the same ways and to the same extent as boys and men can. Girls need to see this too, and to know that there is nothing about their torsos that they should feel embarrassed about or that is any more inherently sexual than the equivalent parts on a man's torso. As for breasts and nipples being "miracles of creation" and "every one unique," sure, and so are lips, so are eyes, so are noses, so are necks, so are hands. But we don't require women to wear gloves in public while men can wave their bare hands around with impunity, or require women (but not men) to wear scarves, or dark glasses, or a burqa. Eyes can be alluring, lips can be sensual, hands can play a role in sexual activities -- but we don't require them to be covered, either by one gender or by both. Nipples are no different -- and certainly shouldn't be a basis for selectively discriminating against one gender.
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This video would be a fine place to start educating my son about the struggle for women's control over their own bodies and how they are beheld. This is one of the great issues of our time; probably the most important issue for the future of mankind. Across the world economic development, social justice, climate change solutions and more hinge vitally on women's political empowerment, and nothing is more central to this than control of their bodies, how they are dressed and perceived.
Regarding breasts as a sexualized object, as a hetero man I certainly enjoy looking at them; that doesn't mean I can't understand the injustice of the current social norm, and appreciate the importance of normalizing breasts in the public space, for the purpose of chipping away at men's control over women's bodies.
Regarding breasts as a sexualized object, as a hetero man I certainly enjoy looking at them; that doesn't mean I can't understand the injustice of the current social norm, and appreciate the importance of normalizing breasts in the public space, for the purpose of chipping away at men's control over women's bodies.
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yes, men have sexualized the female breast ... we're visually stimulated. That said, America is more prude in that we don't have areas to allow topless bathing or sunbathing yet it is legal through-out Europe and the Med Sea. Why do we have such hang-ups about it even showing? We allow all kinds of violence on TV, as graphic as it comes, with a mild disclaimer, but if you show a full breast including nipple, the show is instantly rated mature and no one is allowed to watch. We're so worried about children viewing, when they just don't care, is the prudish people we should worry about. Why should the women care that the men get distracted? Isn't that a problem for the men, not the women? Breastfeeding in public is legally allowed, yet people still jump all over the mothers for daring to feed their kids in pubilc view. Again, the kids don't care, it's the parents who care and it is their own personal shame that they feel others should look out for. We still have a lot of growing up to do.
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Funny...it seems to me that only small breasted women would want to go topless.
For others, it's uncomfortable.
For others, it's uncomfortable.
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One of the topless women interviewed wonders how the breast became sexualized -- "someone did that...". Quite a disingenuous position since female breasts are the among the more pronounced secondary sexual characteristics in humans (along with beards and increased muscle mass for males). At puberty, higher estrogen increases fat in hips, buttocks, and breasts. Blame evolution, blame "god," but don't blame society. Well, that said, we (as a culture) do rather fetishize breasts....
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Fair points. You stated it well. Womens' breasts appear as the body approaches childbearing mode, which is an undeniable aspect of human sexual development. Unlike most other mammals, our breasts develop regardless of whether women have babies or not, so it's disingenuous to declare 'they're for the babies'.
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Functionally, breasts are for feeding infants, just like functionally molars are for grinding food -- even if you eat a liquid diet and never use them in that way. There is nothing disingenuous about describing the function of breasts as being the nourishment of infants. And even if you want to focus on breasts' status as indicators of sexual maturity, along the lines of beards and muscle mass on men, you'd still have to explain why these indicators need to be covered in the case of women and not in the case of men. The day men are required to hide their beards and biceps, rather than being encouraged to show them off, is the day you'll have an even-handed basis for arguing that women should be required to hide their breasts.
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Every mammal has breasts that produce milk, and breasts are indeed "for the babies." Mammals developed breasts for no other reason. Most female mammals will produce offspring as soon as they are able, but humans have the ability to control conception. The body readies itself for conception and birth regardless. That humans have sexualized breasts is a strange phenomenon that is separate and apart from any biological and evolutionary necessity. Perhaps, as our evolution evolves and because of delayed conception in humans, in 1,000 years or so human breasts will not develop until much later in life when human conception usually starts.
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