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

[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.