Should women in the United States be allowed to go topless in public like men do?

[Scuba]

51 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	46 (90%)
	Yes, but only at the beaches, lakes, and swimming pools where swimsuits are normally worn
	0 (0%)
	No
	5 (10%)
	Maybe
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[dems_rightnow]

1. Will this be a free service?

Might affect my vote.

[pinto]

2. You've got a point, but might be simpler to just state it.

[treestar]

3. I said yes

Though I would be very uncomfortable doing it, or even seeing it, due to conditioning.

But women deserve equality with men.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. I did it throughout the south of France and on some Italian beaches.

No sweat.

[waddirum]

70. surely there must have been some sweat at the beach

nt

[AsahinaKimi]

85. I did it on a beach in Moorea, Tahiti.

I don't think it will ever fly in this country, with the "puritan" crowd becoming stronger in influence.

There is Baker's beach here, in San Francisco, that is on federal property. Its well known for people sun worshiping in the nude, however, I don't think I would feel comfortable there or anywhere in the States.


People, here have been brought up to suppress their natural sexuality and because of that, all kinds of abhorrent behavior can happen.

I never had people leer at me in Tahiti, but I am pretty sure it would happen here. Nor, do I want to be hit on every five minutes, while at the beach. (Our beaches here in SF are not the best, as it is. Much better in Sol~Cal, from Goletea down south. Like Ventura is fantastic.)

I just don't really trust my fellow Americans...enough to want to lay on a Beach here in California, or anywhere else in the USA for that matter. I guess its more a feeling..(Besides, I don't need to tan..and now adays its not that healthy either, I am sure.)

I believe people should be able to lay in the Sun naked if they want to, but to do so may be asking for trouble, or at least, some annoyance. I just know I would never do so here. I have also been to Cannes, France and seen the beaches there, lovey as they are, and for the people there its no big deal.

We live in a country when someone's nipple slips out infront of the cameras, people freak out for days...screaming and yelling.. So, no thanks, its not for me.

[no_hypocrisy]

92. Agreed on all counts.

In the Seventies, I wondered whether the apparel/textile manufacturers lobby had any influence on keeping beaches from going nude.

[2ndAmForComputers]

97. This thread... nah, I won't.

[RobinA]

105. I'd DO It

in the appropriate place (at least when I was younger), but I sure as heck don't want to LOOK at it. I've seen pictures from beaches in France and Italy. Ugh. The right clothing is a good thing.

[liberal N proud]

5. I don't think men should be topless in public, except beaches and pools.

However as a man, I mustdo enjoy the view of female breasts. They are as is the female form truly art. And I mean that as a complement ladies.

I personally don't go topless at the beach.

[Giantsfootball10]

6. Hell Yeah.

Some men who walk around shirtless should not walk around shirtless. I see no reason why a women should always have to wear a shirt. After all there are only Boobies.

[Deep13]

7. Allowed? Yes. Advisable? Probably not most of the time.

This is the same concern I have with Muslim "modesty" for women's clothing. If a woman truly WANTS to cover from head to foot in cloth, that is her prerogative. If she is required to wear it, either because of the law or social coercion, then it is oppressive.

[Zalatix]

59. Topless women invite sexual assault. Not like women who are fully clothed, of course.

I'm being totally facetious, of course.

In reality, I'm conflicted over that issue; but when in doubt, I say yes for freedom's sake. I do worry about idiots with their cell phones, though.

[Deep13]

63. Sadly some will take it as an invitation for assault...

...and as wrong as that is, women do need to have a care about their own safety. As you suggest, however, anyone can be a rape victim and it really has nothing to do with how one is dressed.

The the idea has always been if one is on the street, then one is in public with no privacy expectations. That was when photography was not ubiquitous, however, and when it took some trouble to reproduce an image. I really do not think implicit consent to be seen is the same as consent to have ones image reproduced thousands of times instantly around the world.

[gay_in_PA16335]

88. Topless you bet....

Does nothing for me so I say have at it.

It most likely would only be a seasonal thing where I come from or you might get your eye poked out. LOL

[Ter]

96. If it's out in public....

...Then they can't complain if their picture is taken.

[Zalatix]

99. There is that, too.

[Ter]

104. I thought you meant cell phone pics when you said

"I do worry about idiots with their cell phones, though."

[Lionessa]

8. Or conversely men should be disallowed.

[NickB79]

29. Agreed. There are far too many men that should NOT go topless in this country. nt

[waddirum]

71. as a proud owner of hairy man-boobs

I refuse to be stuffed back into the girdle of repressed society.

[etherealtruth]

34. That, I could get behind

[cynatnite]

9. If I am being honest...

I do not think I should be allowed topless anywhere. Someone could get hurt and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

[Taverner]

10. Yes - if you have a problem with boobies you have a problem with women

Get over it - nipples exist

[cynatnite]

20. Not all are created equal...

When I was in school I was teased mercelessly by boys because I developed far earlier and quicker than other girls. I was also much larger than other girls. Even now, I can't wear a tight shirt. It's uncomfortable.

Going topless is out of the question for those reasons. There are far too many men who are like those boys in grade school and jr. high. I will never subject myself to that humiliation if I can help it. Even now, I still get stared at on occasion and it's obvious they are not looking at me in the eyes.

I'm all for women going topless if they want, but men and boys will continue to be boys. It's obvious by the comments in this thread.

[Taverner]

31. I just don't think there should be a prohibition on those who want to show them, to show them

Lots of barrel chested aging fratboys with moobs go topless - so why not extend the privilege to the other gender.

[cynatnite]

32. Because no universe exists where women and men will get the same treatment. n/t

[Taverner]

49. Force it to happen

Say what you will about the USSR, they were able to advance Women's rights in short order

[quinnox]

11. no-brainer

I think this is a great idea!

[RC]

12. I wonder how many would think it would be OK if the woman had to wear pasties when going topless?

It does seem to to be those awful, terribly obscene nipples that are the real problem. You know the same things babies instinctively latch on to.
If it is safe enough for babies, it should be safe enough for adults, one would think, correct?

So, what's the big deal in this country?

[Ms. Toad]

27. slight problem with your logic

Men also have nipples which are exposed when they go topless.

[napkinz]

13. The American Preoccupation With Bosoms ... from "It's A Mad Mad Mad World"

&feature=player_embedded


"If American women stopped wearing brassieres, your whole national economy would collapse overnight."

[11 Bravo]

15. I swear, I was remembering that scene when I posted my response!

Great flick!

[napkinz]

19. Next year marks 50th anniversary

Sad how many of the great performers in the film are no longer with us.

(Also hard to believe the movie was released just two weeks before the Kennedy Assassination.)

[11 Bravo]

14. I voted "maybe". If we can ever stop fetishizing breasts, then yes. Otherwise ...

it ain't gonna happen.

[Shankapotomus]

16. No

Everyone should be in the same one piece silver jump suit. That way we never have to agonize over fashion again.

[quinnox]

17. a one piece silver jumpsuit

interesting choice! I will say no more....

[A HERETIC I AM]

53. Please....

Say no more

[GreenStormCloud]

69. They tried that in China. Remember the Mao suits?

In case you don't know about that, for a long time everybody in China was required to wear the same kind of clothes. It was like the entire nation wore a uniform. When the government finally relaxed, the one suit for everybody was the first thing to go. Women started dressing sexy again.

[MoonRiver]

18. Yes, they SHOULD be, but

the threat from sexually depraved men would be too great for most to even attempt it. Sad state of affairs.

[Scuba]

21. Hey, I resent that remark...

... oh, "depraved". I thought you said "deprived". Never mind.

[MoonRiver]

22. I guess an argument could be made for that too!

[Warren DeMontague]

47. Yes, sex is bad.

Bad!

[eShirl]

48. would be like 100 yrs ago when women began to show their ANKLEs!!!

eeek!!

[maddezmom]

23. sure, as long as it's not mandatory for all women

[beyurslf]

24. Where is the "men should not go topless" option?

[Scuba]

25. You just pressed it.

[Tikki]

26. Oh why not?

If they want to, I don't see a problem.



Tikki

[NickB79]

28. Not if you want me to be able to drive down the street without running into a telephone pole. nt

[stevenleser]

45. you would be surprised how quickly you get used to it

Went to the Canary islands at 15 yrs old. Arrived in the evening. Hung out with a bunch of Dutch and German girls at.the restaurant that evening. They told.me to meet them at the pool the next day, and there they and all the rest of the women were topless.

Took about an hour to get over it, it was no big deal from then on.

[Stinky The Clown]

30. There should be no prohibition of it.

Whether it is a good thing to do in any particular time or place is entirely the individual's choice.

[wandy]

33. Car insurance is going to get gosh awfully expensive. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

35. Telling women how to dress is not my job, so I voted "yes."

Except for some occupational situations (i.e. surgeon), I think women and men should be able to wear whatever they wish, from full nudity to full burka.

[MrSlayer]

36. Of course.

But this country is way too immature sexually to handle it.

[smirkymonkey]

107. Agreed, I felt completely comfortable on European and Carribean beaches, not

leered at anymore than I would be if I were just wearing a bikini back in the states. It was just no big deal to anyone.

Here, people either react like oversexed adolescents or sexually repressed puritans. I was on a fairly secluded beach in Hawaii and we took our tops off to bask in the sun, however a lifeguard came up to us and told us it was forbidden because there were "children" on the beach. I really don't think it was as much about the children as it was about the parents.

Besides, you could walk down the streets of Lahaina and find rack after rack of postcards with half naked women in full sight of everyone (children included), but I guess it's ok to exploit female breasts for someone else to make a profit, but we can't even expose ourselves on a beach to make ourselves more comfortable - and they're OUR bodies!

[hughee99]

37. Their body, their choice.

[redqueen]

38. It's already legal in several states.

Other cities have passed laws which allow it at least for certain events.

Guess why women in those five or six states still don't do it that often, despite it being legal?

[Johonny]

109. yeah

I don't see a problem saying yes on this poll. I just don't see any huge ground swell of women out there wanting to do this. Heck most men outside of maybe the beach manage to put a shirt on. Should women be allowed to do this? I guess. Will they? They don't where it is legal now. With current American culture they will almost never do this and like men the ones that do you will probably wish did

[PoliticAverse]

39. Since a 1992 New York court decision it has been legal for women to go topless in the state of NY.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/topless_bowery.php

[doc03]

40. Sure but there should be an age limit n/t

[WillyT]

41. This... Like The Time Cover... Always Cracks Me Up... Mammals, Afraid Of Mammary Glands...

[hifiguy]

42. Simple equality issue.

Grow up, people.

And I never go to the beach, so I don't even get a voyeur's benefits.

The more sexuality is repressed the more twisted and fucked up it gets. And the more women are oppressed. Contrast Denmark and Saudi Arabia, for example.

[seabeyond]

54. " don't even get a voyeur's benefits" "Grow up, people. " an example of needing to grow up

when you dont see nudity as an opportunity of " a voyeur's benefits"

yes. grow up

[hifiguy]

65. You are terminally humor impaired.

I was being sarcastic. Jeebus, you have to be the most didactic and humorless person I have ever encountered in my five decades of life. Sod off.

[seabeyond]

66. and i found nowhere in your post suggesting humor. just lecture and a grow up

i guess i could reduce myself to namecalling, too. nah, why bother.

[leftyohiolib]

67. you gotta love people who think that their behavior is the only "proper" behavior

and that somehow they got the impression that they are allowed to define and judge the behavior of others using their own ideas and limits of their morality.for ex if you look at women's breasts apparently you need to "grow up" blame evolution, oh and im not talking about you ,hifi

[Atman]

77. Great response!

Perfect, in fact. Since when are breasts sexual organs? The number of people responding with sexual connotations should be considered amazing, but sadly it is not. Not here in America.

As one other poster pointed out, it is a matter of conditioning. Spend some time in a clothing optional environment (not mandatory, as many here seem to think was the question), and it quickly becomes nothing. No big deal. Fat people, skinny people, beautiful people, not-so-beautiful people -- they're still the same people regardless of what fabric they choose with which to cover themselves up.

America has sexualized everything, and it is sad. When people stop thinking those at a nude beach are only there to put on a "show," we'll be making some progress. You want some great examples of immature, hyper-sexual, perverted thinking, check out the responses to this thread at The Cave. I'm tempted to call them Neanderthals, but at least those cave dwellers didn't view nudity as just a strip show to tease their neighbors. Even they were more enlightened than our friends at The Cave.

[seabeyond]

79. stop thinking those at a nude beach are only there to put on a "show," we'll be making some progress

this is exactly the point atman. i grew up in a time and in a sport when it was actually not a big deal. i was a swimmer for a decade and half, when nudity and see thru swimsuits were a norm. all kinds of personal was a norm. and it was no big deal at all. IF anyone made a big deal they would have been the pervert and the parents, coaches in mass would have been all over it. it just was not done. what i see today, and then continually hear people say grow up, is a joke. the adolescence handling of nudity is anything but grown up. if only we can be in a time when we were grown up about this. it really is freeing and a good place to be.

[Atman]

80. My wife was a swimmer.

I remember their "meat (meet) suits." they left nothing to the imagination, that's for sure. But this was also back in the days when we had PE -- real PE, with serious exercise in the Florida heat -- and everyone was required to take real showers. Naked *GASP'* These days, some idiot parent would sue the school if their little Precious was required to wash the stink off before returning to class. Even 10 years ago when my boys were in high school, the most they ever did was wear gym shorts to the shower and stick their arms and legs in the water. It's ridiculous. Those classrooms must wreak!

[seabeyond]

86. both boys in athletics and neither taking what is now a hookey pe.

they left that after 6th grade. but oldest sons "pe" class is cross country and track. they strip down and shower. hadnt heard about covering in the shower. not in this area. i guess it is that ultra conservative florida, lol as opposed to texas,

when my oldest was in the 5th grade he had a first year pe teacher that worked the kids hard. my son was thin, geeky, articulate, academic, glasses. but it was a class he worked really hard in and excelled. son would tell me how the coach was getting it from the parents at how hard he was working the kids. and i am all that in support of the pe teacher. at the end of year son got an award for most progress. it was very nice the pe coach recognized son and it gave him a lot of confidence, which i appreciated.

i wrote that pe teacher a thank you note, stressing pushing the kids and what a good job he did ect....

son is now junior in high school, and on a cross country team that beats all, went to state and track team that gets them in the paper a lot. he is very much beyond that geeky little 5th grader. my son saw this coach (who was transferred out that 5th grade year) and the coach says.... i still have your moms email, thanking me.

aaaaahhhhh

so, yes, parents can fuck things up

[Art_from_Ark]

90. I absolutely hated taking showers in PE

Hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated it. Bunch of jocks using wet towels as whips on weaker kids' butts, and the stupid coach just giving them a wink and a nod.

[Atman]

91. Back then they called it "toughening up."

Now they call it "bullying" and have you arrested.

[Atman]

111. Wow, how presumptive!

No, I never did. I merely described the difference between then and now. If you tell me there was racism in the 50s should I then just assume you're a racist?

[jp11]

43. Our culture/society needs to evolve and grow up more than it is before it is realistic

for this to be something accepted/safe and not seen as some sort of exploitation or perversion.

I have no problem with women going topless though I'd rather men and women wore shirts. I don't care how fit or perfect your body is I don't need or want to see all the guys who go topless nor do I need or want to see all the women who'd go topless.

I think it has to start with the culture being much more accepting of sexuality and our bodies but when you have many 'puritan' ideals especially in many religions it isn't going to happen nor the sheer number of religions that feel this way we are a mix of them all and simply can't make everyone happy about this issue.

Before this can really be a reality there needs to be universal sexual education throughout the country for all children probably younger than most of us would first think. That is just the first step to getting people to accept our own bodies then we need to accept all people, LGBT, as well as all the shapes and sizes we all come in.

[eShirl]

44. wherever men are allowed to go topless, so should women be allowed

why should I care, so long as it's not mandatory

[Warren DeMontague]

46. It would make Jesus cry.

Noooooooooo!

[KG]

50. this thread is useless without pics

had to be said...

[Quixote1818]

51. Here you go

[seabeyond]

58. that is funny. thanks quixote. nt

[DutchLiberal]

52. Meant to push the second option, mistakenly took the first.

Yes, but only at places like the beach and the swimming pool. By the way, I also don't think it's good manners for men to go shirt-less on other places than those.

[Initech]

55. Hmm... we'd see about a 10,000% increase in car accidents if this were to happen.

[SoutherDem]

56. Woman's choice

First, I am gay so I really don't care.
Second, If the woman is comfortable with it and it is where men would do the same, it is up to her.

I am in no way a nudist, in fact I am rather modest and don't feel comfortable without a shirt or even a tank top in situations other men do. But, I have always felt we are too caught up with clothes. May be if we were more comfortable with our bodies (as a collective population) we may not be so concerned with sex, and who is having it with whom.

[rebecca_herman]

57. Can I vote for other?

I'd rather neither men or women walked around topless unless at the beach/pool... and even then I'd rather not see either!

Personally, I don't see the appeal, but I sunburn so easily. Ouch.

[Odin2005]

60. I think some men should be banned from going topless.

[Edweird]

61. Go for it!

[me b zola]

62. yes, but i would not go topless

I could trip and hurt someone.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

64. Only if others won't get in trouble for oogling!

[CBGLuthier]

84. oogling? oogling??

Is that perhaps an advanced form of ogling?

[Honeycombe8]

68. No. It's not culturally acceptable in western civilization. But it's done in Africa.

Hence, the severe sagging problem there.

[XemaSab]

73. You should start a charity

to bring them bras.

Seriously, you should do it.

We'll wait for you here.

[joshcryer]

100. Uh, no. There's no connection to "sag" and "bras."

Go to http://007b.com for normal white breasts. Plenty of sag.

I think you've seen too much American porn.

[Curmudgeoness]

72. Flawed poll---you needed to have specifics

on whether the voter was a male or female. I have a feeling men would be voting yes much more often than women, but I really don't know.....and I would be interested to see that.

Oh well. Not this time.

[crazyjoe]

74. I say "hell yes", I love bouncing boobies....

who doesn't ????

[KamaAina]

75. This is already the case in NY state.

An NYC woman found that going topless wasn't actually against the law there, so she started doing so, under the banner of "Titi Liberation".

[flvegan]

76. Yes, YES! A million times yes!!

[Ikonoklast]

89. OK, we'll put you in the 'Undecided' category.

[Atman]

78. The key element 90% of respondents are missing:

Many appear to think the question implies a sort of universal nudity...I even read a couple responses about it being distracting at work or the dentist office or something. Uh, excuse me, but I've never seen a MAN shirtless at work or the dentist office. Point being, you should assume (although it wasn't stated) that we're starting from an everything-else-being-equal standpoint. IOW, if it is a situation where it would be inappropriate for one, it is inappropriate for all. I hope no one seriously would think that their female dentist is suddenly going to show up for work sans-shirt any more than a male dentist would. And women wouldn't begin attending weddings or functions with breast cut-outs or no top any more than a man would attend shirtless.

Keep it in perspective. Sure, we see female stars parade down the red carpet wearing gowns with plunging necklines revealing lots of cleavage, but that is a direct result of our hyper-sexualization of breasts. Such outfits attract attention (read: garner press coverage) precisely because of shock value and sexuality.

If we get over this hang-up that breasts were created for the purpose of entertaining men, then we might begin to see some equality on this issue. Yeah, right...like that will ever happen. Boobs are an industry unto themselves in America.

[seabeyond]

81. +1. right on. nt

[JoePhilly]

83. And don't forget, we also need "Thong Thursdays".

Ok ... Ok ...

I denounce and reject my reply title.

I would like to apologize to anyone who might have been offended.

There, all better.

[Iggo]

87. Abso-fucking-lutely!!!

DECRIMINALIZE THE FEMALE BREAST, RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!

[randome]

93. OCCUPY!

[Great Caesars Ghost]

94. Voted maybe

I went to Woodstock '99 where there were plenty of women who walked around topless, and some from both sexes were buck naked (that's beside the point). But I have seen plenty of unwanted groping and such, even reported rapes in the campgrounds, during those 2 days. Basically I have no problem with it, there are risks involved.

[Ter]

95. Bottomless is fine with me too

In the Summer, we should all be able to go to the mall butt naked.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

98. It's legal for women to be topless in New York City.

There's a topless book reading club in Central Park. I'd post a link to their website but my post would be hidden.

[joshcryer]

101. Hmm, I hope my post that linked such a site isn't hidden.

I'd edit it but, meh, if it's hidden it's hidden.

Then again, the site you're talking about I think sexualizes breasts more than the one I posted.

I would never read in full sunlight. How horrible on the eyes.

[Kablooie]

102. The men have overrun this poll.

[LeftyMom]

103. Yes.

That said, I can't imagine why anybody'd want to.

[LeftinOH]

106. Be careful what you wish for. Consider how many mis-shapen men

seem to be confident with their upper half.

[Scout]

108. sure, if they want to.

i don't know any who would want to though, since there are so many assholes out there.