Should women be allowed to be out in public without a shirt?

[ccharles000]

Poll question: Should women be allowed to be out in public without a shirt?

Note-this is not a sex thread it is about gender equality.

I think they should because I see men all the time walking around with no shirt and to tell a female that she cannot but a man can is in my opinion wrong. Women should be seen as equal.

[madeline_con]

1. Our society is not "ready". Too many grown men act like kids.

edited to add: or would-be rapists.

[davidinalameda]

11. how about just making women wear burkas

that would stop men from acting like kids using your rationale

[yardwork]

45. Rape has nothing to do with sexual desire. It's about control and violation.

[AlphaCentauri]

140. The potential for a rape grows when the maniacs are deprived from sexual activity

like making prostitution illegal.

[timtom]

87. Actually, when I lived in Austin, TX in the late 70's

it was legal for a woman to go topless anywhere a man was allowed to go topless. I once saw a topless woman nailing shingles on a roof along with her male co-workers. And women went topless (if they chose) at Barton Springs at Zilker Park.

I don't know if that's still the case. After all, Carole McClellan became a Republican and Texas allowed Bush to be governor...

[readmoreoften]

93. I'm pretty sure it's still the case. We also have a clothing optional area of a state park.

I really like it because no frat boys or kids are there. Just a few nudists and the gorgeous, great outdoors and my GF and I can stay completely clothed.

[TankLV]

125. oh grow up...

normal sexual men = rapists...

typical BULLSHIT...

[backscatter712]

145. Ah, the old "She was wearing a skimpy outfit, so she must have wanted to be raped" argument...

Care to try again? :eyes:

[Bicoastal]

2. Yes, yes, GOD yes!!

:evilgrin:

Next question?

[Bonn1997]

17. Don't you love bikinis, though? What would happen to them?

I love to fantasize about what's underneath.

On a serious note, though, I get the OPs point and agree with it. As a matter of gender equality, yes, women should be allowed to go topless. I'd miss bikinis though!

[AlphaCentauri]

142. I would miss the bust lifters and corsets

;)

[Deja Q]

92. Did you bring a towel?

:rofl:

[DemBones DemBones]

3. This might turn into another breastfeeding war.

Armor up.

[Contrary1]

4. I've always wondered what might happen if I went topless...

My breasts are gone due to cancer. What would they charge me with? Inciting a riot? Being a public nuisance? Scaring the hell out of little children and/or grown men?
At least I will never be seen breastfeeding at Olive Garden. :rofl:

[Catshrink]

34. I saw a woman breastfeeding at Macaroni Grill on Easter.

No one said a word.

BTW, Macaroni Grill's Tomato Tortellini Soup was so freaking awesome! I'll most likely go back this weekend just for the soup.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. I have a better idea in the name of equality

Men cover the fuck up, there are some things the world just doesn't need to see - my flabby, pasty jewish ass is one of them so I don't wander around in public in any state of undress.

[Mopar151]

27. Kirby told me

" When you're a kid, there are some things you think you want to see. You know what? You dont!"
It ain't so much about modesty or chastity, it's more about curteousy. And the 'toon? Nailed it!

[SmileyRose]

40. LOL -- PERFECT !!! LOL

I too wish more men would wear shirts.

[madmom]

76. LOL, I SO agree ( not about you just pasty ass flab in general)

[blondeatlast]

100. +1. A-effin'-men to that! nt

[TankLV]

126. good point. So do I...

[dipsydoodle]

6. Must get some new glasses

Thought that said skirt.

[DFW]

7. Sure, why not?

It's not my place to tell them what they can wear and what they can't.

[pnwmom]

8. If women are required to cover their breasts, then men should be, too.

Both of them have mammary glands, both have nipples, and some men's breasts are larger than some women's. There's no valid reason for the different treatment under the law.

And they can use one of these:

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=f13eb193-3f50-4895-944f-cc3f56ce333d

[TankLV]

127. HE BOOBIES!

or is it "MAN BREASTS"?!!!

now, a nice set of pecs is a different thing altogether...!!!

[Monk06]

9. What's good for the goose is ....... Well you get the idea

NOT JUST NO BUT HELL NO !!!!

[TankLV]

128. oh - MY EYES!!!!!

my eyes...

He's probably putting together an ad for a lost cat that he last saw sitting on the...

[Frau Schmidt]

10. for the under 30s, it should be compulsary!

:)

[eShirl]

12. two female streakers in Maine were aquited of charges because their genitals were not visible

another woman near the coast who mows her own lawn sometimes prefers to mow topless... just like many men do

The vast majority of women, however, choose not to go topless even though they legally can.

[bananas]

13. In New York State, it is legal for women to go topless

http://www.modelmayhem.com/384779

[ejpoeta]

15. has that ever been tested by anyone?? i mean...

i live in NY and I have heard that it is legal here, but couldn't they arrest you if you touch yourself in any way?? like if your side itches or something.

[Berry Cool]

28. I doubt it.

I mean, you could always say "My side itched" or "I was putting on sunscreen" or something.

[TankLV]

130. Yes - a few times over the years...

[ejpoeta]

14. i personally couldn't do it, but i think it's wrong the double standard.

if i could go to jail for being topless then men should too!! and there are some men who really NEED to wear a shirt!! and maybe a bra too!! i guess we should just count ourselves lucky that we can even wear pants and don't have to wear dresses all the time. or a hat to leave the house. I went to catholic school when i was younger. I went to Notre Dame High School. my sisters who are older than me attended first. Whenever I complain about the fact that my choices for what I could wear were a white blouse and either the uniform skirt or navy blue pants while the boys could wear any color button down shirt and any color dress pants, my sisters always say that I was lucky to be able to wear the pants. They didn't even have that option. Now, mind you, this was not 50 years ago!! this was like... 30 years ago. scary, if you ask me. but i digress. i voted yes on the poll.

[CrispyQ]

29. I was in eighth grade when our school district finally allowed girls to wear pants to school.

That was '69 or'70. Prior to that, I remember wearing pants under my dress to stay warm while I waited for the school bus at 6:45 a.m. on cold winter mornings. Then when I got to school I had to go to the restroom to remove my pants. Lots of the girls did that. It was another three years before we could wear jeans, although the boys had been wearing them for years.

[Catshrink]

32. 9th grade for us, same era.

[juno jones]

55. I remember that.

I was in third grade, but I remember the ffreedom of wearing pants...to turn cartwheels, play on the monkey bars, and play sports like the boys....

[madmom]

81. In 1970 we were allowed to wear pants, but only dress pants and only if it were 10* or lower outside

I remember getting detention for asking why we couldn't wear jeans because the boys could and was told because the rivets mark up the desks. I asked how the boys jeans were different on girls because that is what most of us wore (girls jeans were not as big as they are now)Anyway I got a detention for being mouthy!

[ejpoeta]

94. it's amazing!! somehow the girls wearing the jeans would cause marks, huh.

what a load of hooey. they had to friggin lie!! LOL!! why didn't they just tell the truth.... they didn't want girls wearing jeans!! LOL!! good for you though! what did your parents think of your 'mouthiness'. they didn't see a problem with the discrimination?

[madmom]

120. My parents didn't object to me making waves if it was for a worthy cause..but

they generally tried to stay out of it. They would intervene if it got ugly.

[KharmaTrain]

16. There Needs To Be A Law Against Man Boobs...

While I'm sure it would make driving on a nice summer day more pleasurable to see PYTs without their tops on, I don't think my wife would be jumping to rip off her top...gravity has set in. But then I get offended when I see my 350 plus pound neighbor running around, or should I say boucing along...man boobs bouncing and his ass crack showing. It scares the kids.

[Hubert Flottz]

18. OTHER!

Oh HELL Yeah!

[Echo In Light]

19. And the bizarre notion that women should routinely shave hair from their bodies need be addressed

Amazing how millions upon millions simply fall right in lockstep with that. I totally supported the 'earth mother' grunge girls I knew in the 90s who refused to shave their armpits and legs.

And no, I don't shave - I've worn a full beard most of my life.

[Smith_3]

22. And the bizarre notion that men should wear pants need be addressed too.

We've been slaves for too long :)

[Echo In Light]

23. Ha...sure. Why not?!

[TheCowsCameHome]

24. Imagining Rush Limbaugh without pants should cure that idea.

Bleeeeech! Gaaaaaak!

[ccharles000]

25. lol

[dem629]

72. Nah.

[anonymous171]

105. Well, that's an issue with society. The topless thing is a legal issue. nt

[PufPuf23]

110. Humboldt Honey

http://www.arcataeye.com/index.php?module=Pagesetter&tid=2&topic=3&func=viewpub&pid=534&format=full

[tekisui]

20. Women are free to go without

a top in many places in the world. It's their choice. We as a society should grow up.

[Echo In Light]

21. How to get those squeamish authoritarians to stop obeying their fundie ....

...leaders, instructors and social managers? It could happen, although would likely require a drastic social upheaval that would permit new ideas and views to take root in the aftermath.

[ejpoeta]

96. that's why it's so funny about how free we are here. but not free to go around topless.

and in other countries they don't seem to have as big a problem with female anatomy as we do here. maybe that's why.... guys here WANT to see breasts because they can't. well, they can... on the internet and in skin magazines. but it's like that unattainable thing, so you WANT it all the more.

[saltpoint]

26. Male folk are allowed to be shirtless. Seems as if it should be equally ok if

women folk were allowed the same right.

I would not recommend the practice for either males or females in Fargo in February, however.

I think climate, and not the courts, should hold sway.

[L0oniX]

30. hmmmm

[Sheri]

31. who's "offended" by breasts?

and if they are, they should get over it.

[lonestarnot]

33. I know a lady whose son kept coming to the dinner table w/o a shirt. One day the lady was tired of

telling him to go put his shirt on before coming to eat with the family at the dinner table, so she just whipped off hers (no bra either) and sat eating like nothing was out of the ordinary. The kid was a bit uncomfortable and never came to the table w/o his shirt again. :evilgrin:

[DevonRex]

63. Now that's hilarious. And anybody who is uncomfortable about

that story might want to rethink their "yes" vote. Because that means your mama will also be running around topless.

[TroglodyteScholar]

35. A THOUSAND times yes! n/t

[11 Bravo]

36. I think it should be mandatory.

[rug]

37. I propose a DU Group to discuss this issue in greater detail.

[lunatica]

38. Not my 61 year old breasts...

Believe me, perky they ain't

[Kaleva]

58. My important part isn't perky like it used to be either.

[havocmom]

69. Yes. Looking down, I wonder if going topless at my age

would require modifications to my arch supports.

[lunatica]

84. Did you hear the one about the woman who shot herself in the breast

And wounded her knee?

:hi:
Gotta laugh :rofl:
'cause I'm done crying :cry:

[old mark]

73. Wouldn't be mandatory, ya know - I'm 61, too, and you wouldn't want to see this

old guy toppless either...
I have a tough enough time with it myself.

mark

[lies and propaganda]

39. We should, but rape levels woulld skyrocket.

Men cant control themselves. If the whole "You shouldnt have been wearing that" bullshit gets applied when girls are wearing something revealing and get raped, I can only imagine if we were half naked how it would get spun.

[G_j]

42. men can control themselves

it's the culture that reinforces out of control behavior.

[SmileyRose]

46. I wish I could believe that.

I believe the exact opposite. That our society, one that will punish a man at a certain point for mistreatment of children and women, is the only thing stopping American men from being the kind of shits we read about routinely from other parts of the world.


Yes, I have trust issues. For a reason................

[G_j]

52. I emphasize "can"

to say men can't control themselves, is to let them (myself included) off they hook.
We are entirely capable of decent behavior. But when disrespect and abuse of women becomes embedded in a culture, it is very difficult to fight against. Religion plays a tremendous role in this. Still there are always people who follow their inner compasses and resist.

IMHO

[comrade snarky]

79. How do you feel about black people?

Or Hispanics?
Any other group you want to claim in inherently violent or untrustworthy? You have the same argument as the idiot who gets robbed by a black person and decides all African Americans are thieves.

It's probably not worth arguing with you, I just expect better from my own side. Makes me sad.

[SmileyRose]

115. Thank you for calling me a racist, an idiot and that I am so worthless I am unworthy of an argument

apparently the pile heaped on me that created trust issues wasn't big enough for you. I'm not sure how berating me for being disabled by past victimization makes you superior but whatever. :shrug:

[comrade snarky]

135. I didn't call you a racist

I asked if you are one since yours is the same argument they use to justify their prejudiced views.

If you cant stand up to questioning maybe you shouldn't be posting those hurt feelings on a public message board hmmm? Didn't get the "awww, poor baby" you expected when trashing half the human race?

I mean how could I possibly be offended at being called no better than a rapist?

Oh and I assumed the conversation would go nowhere due to the others I've met who have issues so deep they carry the same misanthropy\misandry\misogyny you do. But then I'm just a male bully right? I'm sure that will help you to ignore my point.

What happened to you may be tragic. However you compound that tragedy when you allow it to own you. Try not defining everyone by what sits between their legs and you may have a better life.

[SmileyRose]

136. Wooooooaaaahhhhhhh big fella!

"I asked if you are one since yours is the same argument they use to justify their prejudiced views."

If you can't see that "question" is calling someone a racist then I can't help you. I'm not much of a teacher. It's like asking during a political campaign "When is the last time my opponent robbed a liquor store at gunpoint." and everyone assumes the opponent must have robbed a liquor store at gunpoint in times past.


If you cant stand up to questioning maybe you shouldn't be posting those hurt feelings on a public message board hmmm? Didn't get the "awww, poor baby" you expected when trashing half the human race?

I didn't trash anyone but myself. I said ** I ** have trust issues - I said ** I ** struggle to believe in the higher nature of my fellow humans. I clearly stated the problem is MINE. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not anyone is trustworthy. I never said anything about the problem being with THE MEN. Perhaps that clarification will help you, since you clearly did not comprehend the first 2 times.

I mean how could I possibly be offended at being called no better than a rapist?

Again, I never said anything about you or anyone else. I said something about myself. If you find that offensive then by all means, enjoy your outrage.

Oh and I assumed the conversation would go nowhere due to the others I've met who have issues so deep they carry the same misanthropy\misandry\misogyny you do. But then I'm just a male bully right? I'm sure that will help you to ignore my point.

So you are berating me for making assumptions about people based on past encounters while doing the exact same thing? That makes no sense at all.

What happened to you may be tragic. However you compound that tragedy when you allow it to own you. Try not defining everyone by what sits between their legs and you may have a better life.

I have absolutely no idea how you can know this by a few lines on an internet board. I have an absolutely wonderful life. I am a happy and joyful person. I have a wonderful husband of over 30 years and an incredible marriage to go with it. I have deep close loving friendships with people of all kinds of both sexes. I am comfortable in my own skin, know that I am imperfect, know that my hope to become a better person each day is a lifelong journey, and know that I deserve love and kindness in spite of my human frailties.

As to whether you are a male bully or not, I can't say. I certainly can't know you well enough from one encounter on an anonymous internet board to make that determination. However, please be assured, you did not, CAN NOT, hurt my feelings. In fact, this encounter with you has made me smile - even LOL at points, not frown - for reasons I'm not entirely sure you can understand. :)


:hi:



edit to fix an italics.

[comrade snarky]

143. Cute, "big fellah" huh?

Shall I call you girllie? Or would that be sexist?

"So you are berating me for making assumptions about people based on past encounters while doing the exact same thing?"

I made an assumption about you based on the words you said, not the color of your skin or the genitalia you have. The fact you cant see the difference says volumes. I'm not sure a clue by 4 would do any good here but I'll say it once again and then move on because it's too nice a day to go in circles with you. Your argument that men cant be trusted (and up until this post that was your argument) is the same as the raciest argument that because some blacks are thieves then all blacks are not to be trusted.


"Yes, I have trust issues. For a reason................"

If all you wanted to day is that you have trust issues. Why the "For a reason..........." then? That's a clear statement of blame.

Then again if you explained I probably wouldn't be capable of understanding. Cause your so evolved and all. Whatever. Good luck and goodbye.

[SmileyRose]

144. A real shame.

Yes, it probably would be wise of you to just put me on ignore.

[Wind Dancer]

138. My goodness!

Was this remark necessary?

If you cant stand up to questioning maybe you shouldn't be posting those hurt feelings on a public message board hmmm? Didn't get the "awww, poor baby" you expected when trashing half the human race?

C_J posted a much more diplomatic response which I happen to agree with in #52. Can't you make a valid point without being rude or defensive? :shrug:

[comrade snarky]

139. I get pissed off when told I'm a beast

Who would rape women if given half a chance. Sometimes when people are rude, they get rude right back.

The furious back pedaling above is does not change the fact that she said she believes all men are rapists who are barely held in check. That is offensive and stupid.

Just as offensive as saying all black people are thieves or all women are too emotional to be trusted with responsibility.

[lunatica]

62. I agree. All men are not rapists. Period.

And I've known plenty of men who controlled themselves quite well all the time.

[yardwork]

44. What??!! Rape has nothing to do with sexual desire. It's about control and violation.

Men don't rape women because of what the women are wearing. That is an old stereotype that has been long debunked. People rape other people in order to control, violate, and hurt them. It's a way to beat up a person's soul and attempt to take their life without actually killing them.

[Evoman]

49. Yes, they can. There are men in tribes where women are ALWAYS topless don't give a shit about tits.

It's religion that has somehow fucked up peoples sexuality so much that it's created power and self hatred issues that leads to rape. People with healthy sexual habits who don't need to control through the power and domination that religion and "fucked up morality" tells you you should have don't rape women.

The problem is not that men can't control themselves...it's that the "you shouldn't have been wearing that" excuse still fucking exists.

[Warren Stupidity]

50. Umm - I actually doubt that is true.

The premise there in your post is that the way a woman dresses can result in rape.

But perhaps you might want to research 'sexual assault rates at nude beaches', for a data point.

[dmallind]

60. Actually the opposite would likely happen

I was a bouncer in a strip club for a year or two. It takes about two shifts before you stop noticing altogether. So if we posit that women would just be walking around topless rather than intentionally trying to be overtly sexual as in strip clubs, it would take even less time for the salacious response to become ho-hum. It is the whole idea that seeing breasts is taboo and a big deal - a taboo incidentally perpetuated every bit as much by women as by men - that creates the exaggerated desire to see them. Men in cultures with far less protection under law for victims of sexual assault manage to "control themselves" just fine.

[dem629]

74. Amazing how misandry is tolerated here.

[Cali_Democrat]

134. LOL

I had honestly never heard of that word. I just looked it up.

:rofl:

You are somewhat right.

[uppityperson]

78. Hahahahahahahaha. For a minute there, I thought you were serious

[TahitiNut]

41. They are.

... in many cultures. :shrug:

[SmileyRose]

43. We still put drunk college boys on sex offender lists for peeing in public

not a chance in hell American society is going to accept topless women.

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2007/04/sexdrive_0420

[cherokeeprogressive]

47. This reminds me of the Barbra Streisand song: Mammories...

What a beautiful, vision inspiring song!

[Warren Stupidity]

48. "no shirt no shoes no service"

But if men are allowed out in public with their nipples bared, then women must have the same right. I have certainly seen more than one B-cup or larger man bare chested at the beach.

[carlyhippy]

51. there's alot of men who don't need to be out wihtout a shirt on either

.

[Rage for Order]

53. As soon as breasts aren't seen as a sexual part of the body

When the majority of women react to having their breasts touched in public by mild acquaintances in the same manner as they would react if that person touched them on the arm then yes, they can walk around with no shirt on. However, as long as women are going to claim sexual harassment or sexual battery for having their breasts touched, then no.

[uppityperson]

80. Are the majority of men ok with having their breasts touched in public by mild acquaintances?

Who is claiming sexual harassment for having a breast touched like an arm?

[Lorien]

54. They can in Columbus Ohio

I visited my hometown a few years ago and noticed a group of college aged people walking in an area just South of downtown. One of the women was only wearing shorts, sandals and nipple rings. They passed a cop who glanced at her briefly but said nothing. Obviously the laws have changed there since I was a kid!

[Kaleva]

56. If men had breast like women, then they's be equal in this regard

[Lyric]

70. Men DO have breasts like women.

Male breasts can even lactate with the proper hormonal stimulation, although because male breasts don't have quite as MUCH in the way of milk ducts, it's exceedingly rare for a man to be able to produce enough milk to actually feed a baby full-time. Still, there is a movement toward the idea of men helping to nurse their children.

The only difference between male breasts and female breasts is that female breasts have more developed mammary tissue, and are therefore (usually, but not always) larger.

http://www.switch.tv/videos/39

Another link: http://www.unhinderedliving.com/nursingfather.html

[Kaleva]

97. Not many women find male breasts to be a turn on

On the other hand, most find find women's breasts to be sexually stimulating.

[Lyric]

101. Because they're programmed and conditioned to do so by our society.

In third-world nations where women walk around topless all the time, the breasts are still sexual organs, but no more so than the hands, the skin, the lips, or other things that feel good when we use them for sex but are primarily non-sexual. The men there are proof that seeing the breasts as taboo, sexual things is a product of Western cultural conditioning, not biology.

Make toplessness legal for both genders nationwide, and within a short period of time, most people will hardly notice it. Within a generation, the thought of bare chests being "naughty" will seem as absurd to our grandchildren as it does to the people in tribal Africa.

Not that any of this matters, in the end. The Constitution says that people must be EQUAL before the law, even if individual people are not perfectly equal amongst themselves. Making laws that punish only one gender for doing a certain thing is blatantly unconstitutional, and eventually, the SCOTUS is going to be brave enough to come out and say so. Not THIS SCOTUS, of course, but eventually.

:hi:

[TankLV]

131. It is EXTREMELY RARE that men can "lactate"...

and I covered up pretty quick after holding my nephew for the first time when they came to visit me in Hawaii!!!

what a RUDE awakening...!!

[Lyric]

141. Actually, you're wrong.

The *ability* to lactate as a man is not rare--except in cases of malformation or other medical problems, every normal man has the *ability* to do it to at least some degree. The phenomenon of actually having it *happen* is rare, because in order for it to happen, you have to MAKE it happen--either through putting a baby to breast (or using a breast pump) every day, several times a day, for a few weeks, or by getting hormone injections (both of which are the same things that women must do to induce lactation, like for feeding an adopted baby.) The vast majority of men don't do either of these things, but just because they don't doesn't mean that they can't.

So if there are any Daddies-to-be out there who are interested in helping to nurse your baby, grab a breast pump, use it for 15 minutes on each breast every 2-3 hours, spend plenty of time stimulating your nipples and areolae, and within a few weeks, you'll have milk. It won't be much at first, but if you keep it up, the volume will increase. I know this because I've seen it happen. I am not at liberty to disclose any personal details, as it involves a gay male couple who are friends of ours and fearful of the trouble that prejudiced bigots might make for their little family, but let me just say--I am not speculating. I know it for a fact, and have seen it with my own eyes.

I sincerely hope that the day eventually comes when the idea of men nursing their babies is not so "icky" and "weird" to our society, because there are a lot of men who would love that share that connection, but don't realize that they CAN. It's perfectly natural, too--that mammary tissue in male breasts is there for a reason, after all. I guess you could call it nature's backup plan for feeding little baby mammals when Mommy's milk is just not available.

As for your nephew--ha! That sounds adorable. Nursing babies are notorious for that. My best friend's 2-month old tries to do that to me occasionally too. It's cute. :)

:hi:

[OnionPatch]

57. In theory, yes.

But in reality, I agree with the first response. We are not ready for it. At the worst there would be gawking, drooling and snide remarks, at the worst there would be groping and automobile accidents. But in principle, I don't see why it should be mandatory that either gender cover any of their bodies with clothing if they don't wish to.

[TrogL]

59. It's legal in Ontario, Canada

...at least for topless sunbathing.

[flvegan]

61. Not just allowed, but encouraged.

:hide:

[DevonRex]

64. How many men want to see their mothers topless? Or their sisters?

Heck, grandmothers? Something to consider... :shrug:

I didnt' vote in the poll because I see both sides. But then I read a story above by lonestarnot that made me think about this question.

[Kaleva]

65. Why can't we show topless pics of women here at DU?

[Balbus]

66. This was a hard one for me to figure out...

Took me all of .000001 seconds to come to an opinion.

[mudesi]

67. Fuck Yeah. Who's Saying No?!

[LWolf]

68. A better question:

Should our culture evolve beyond the ridiculous and perverse body hatred it currently wallows in, with the only recognition or appreciation being of the human body as sexual advertisement?

[old mark]

71. Certainly OK with me...

:evilgrin:



mark

[dem629]

75. Some, yes.

[quakerboy]

77. I have nudist tendancys

I vote yes. Shirts, pants, the whole thing should be completely optional for every one of us. The "proper attire" should be determined by ones metabolism the weather, and utility (eg proximity of thorny berry vines, food service, back issues), and not much else.

[comrade snarky]

85. When I finally get around to writing

My both compelling and hilarious memoirs there will be a chapter titled "Never fry bacon when you're naked"

A later chapter will be "Blood and Sequins" but that's another story :evilgrin:

[quakerboy]

89. Been there, done that.

Wasn't an issue. But then I do mine in an oven, not a frying pan.

[uppityperson]

82. middle aged sagging female here, voting yes, of course.

If you don't like my body, don't look. Same as for my husband.

[burning rain]

83. Of course. Let the people dress, or not dress, the way they want.

^

[Diclotican]

86. ccharles000

ccharles000

Well, we live in 2009 doesn't we?

But I am afraid that if woman was to go out, all naked or at least with minimal cloth it Will be many, many accidence as men have the habit of crashing into each other when they are seeing woman who is naked.. It is an "natural action" by most men I am afraid..

On the other hand, if that was allowed, it could be very interesting to be stuck in traffic, specially in city's:evilgrin: So at least, something positive would came out of it,..

Diclotican

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

88. Totally Ignorant Use Of Gender Equality. This Does Not Constitute Gender Equality.

Whether you like it or not, there ARE differences between the sexes in many areas. Sexuality and instinctual response thereof, is one of them. This isn't an issue like as to whether or not both men and women should be allowed to hold a certain corporate position etc.

The genders are NOT equal as it relates to this topic. They're just not. Men look at women's breasts as sexual organs. Men's hairy nipples? Yeah, not so much.

[SidDithers]

90. The very famous "Gwen Jacob" case in 1996...

gave women the right to go "top free" in Ontario.

Sid

[Deja Q]

91. Like 'public displays of affection', some people will stare and for various reasons...

(e.g. voyeurism, intrigue, disgust...)

I think that's why society came up with clothing and public courtesies in the first place: More people object to PDAs and public nudity than vice-versa.

I'm probably wrong, but that is the other observation I wanted to make in this response. :)

And you're right; it is sexist in that men can be topless and yet women cannot...

[Mr. Ected]

95. Saw It In Holland. Saw It in Sweden.

The people there seem much more comfortable with their bodies than folks here in America.

Flip side, their general take on violence in movies is to flinch, rather to embrace.

Guess I'd rather see bare breasts than dead bodies.

But that's just me.

[laylah]

98. ABSOLUTELY; however,

should we do that, we would be responsible for our rapes, abuses, murders, etc, etc, etc. We are still a paternally run society.

Read "The Fourth Procedure" by Stanley Pottinger. A fictional "who-done-it" but will make many a woman, and maybe men, "get it".

[LostInAnomie]

99. It would be cool every once in awhile...

... but not everyday. I don't want to become desensitized to the mesmerizing effects of boobs.

[cherish44]

102. Bras do serve a very useful purpose

It's not a modesty thing but a comfort thing. I remember seeing some cheesy 80s movie with a very large breasted woman riding topless on a horse and I thought, "That has to hurt".

One thing I've never understood is why backsides are considered taboo and indecent. Everyone has a butt, so what?

Allowing women to go around topless is NOT going to stop men from being turned on by breasts. Men are turned on by many things that are allowed to see that light of day, like legs, hair, mouth, eyes, etc. The only way you're not going to get men to drool over the female body is to force us to wear burkas. You just need to have hope that most men are able to control themselves and respect women. (I think most of them do, it's just s minority of assholes who give the rest of them a bad name).

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

103. The young hot ones should provided they are 18 years old.

:sarcasm:

[SmileyRose]

119. Hornball

:)


You know what? The last 24 hours has been so bad I'm officially numb right now from the overload - and you made me LOL.

I seriously appreciate you around here. :) :) :)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

132. Thanks, I'm sorry about your friend.

[anonymous171]

104. Sure. nt

[question everything]

106. Goes with the debate about breast feeding in public

Are breasts sexual organs or not?

Yes, I know, nursing mothers claim that they are not. Are their breast fondled by their mates when they are not nursing? Do they get pleasure when their breasts were fondled? Do they wear sexy bras or just a basic one that is supposed to do the job?

When women wear tops that show cleavage, or that are two sizes too tight, like the one in hot pink selling Rosetta, what are they trying to say? They are too hot?

Women can't have it both ways. Either their breasts are sexual organs design to attract their partners, or they are not.

[LiberalPersona]

107. I say yes

But that's because I don't think of breasts in a sexual manner, I never understood why they're treated as such.
When I see them I think of babies, not sex.

[bemildred]

108. Buck naked if they want. nt

[notesdev]

109. Within reason

I really don't want to see 90-year-old grandma going around like that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

111. ALLOWED is the wrong word!

I think all people have the right to walk around without shirts.

There should be NO discrimination due to the gender of the person.

We are so fucked up it's not even funny.

[Fridays Child]

112. Whew.

It took 110 responses before we got to common sense. I don't know about this place, sometimes.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

113. Thank you, my dear Fridays Child!

I thought for sure that someone else would have beat me to the punch...

Apparently not...

:hug:

[iris27]

123. Yes. This.

100% ITA!

[Occam Bandage]

133. The word was chosen for that particular reaction, yes.

It was intended to frame the debate in exactly the same manner you have interpreted it. The OP could have, for example, framed it differently by saying something like, "Do you believe public indecency laws ought be repealed?"

[EvolveOrConvolve]

114. If it's only about the breasts

I know quite a few men with bigger tits than my wife.

I think it should be legal for women to go topless anywhere they want, while some men should be barred from ever baring any flesh in public ever, ever again.

[usregimechange]

116. Women have the right to be treated fairly by our laws

[Brooklyns_Finest]

117. Yes

As long as they wear bras while at home. I like nice perky breast. If you are going to create a law to treat us men to more eye candy, make sure that candy is sweet. Last thing we want to see are sagging breast.

Good idea OP, but we need to perfect this new law!

[Better Believe It]

118. I don't think guys with "man boobs" should be allowed in public without a shirt!

:)

[QueenOfCalifornia]

121. Charles...

love the new pic!

I chose "other" - only because I think there are some people... both sexes, who should always wear clothes. :)

[RadicalTexan]

122. Should be "allowed"? To "be out in public"?

Fuck that. Women should do whatever the hell they want to do.

However, personally, I do not think women *should* walk around topless, for our own safety.

[TankLV]

124. Speaking for all the horney ninteen year old men - YES!!!

as a gay man - ewwwwwe!!!

but then again, I tend to wear a shroud nowadays, too...

[Iggo]

129. De-criminalize the female breast....

...RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!

[Uben]

137. No, no, no, no, no, no,no, no, no, no!

Yes!