Aside from men being horny in the 1800s, and this being a holdover since that time, is there any actual reason why this hasn’t changed?
If society was dominated by women, would this be more likely to change?
I was sweating my ass off hiking in the hot sun, and the question has been bothering me all day after my top soaked through with sweat.
It seems over the last 15 years a lot of effort has been put into a movement towards changing the laws in the U.S.
source- Wikipedia
They can, but harassment from men keeps lots of women from doing so. We already get harassed when we’re covered.
In much of Europe and North America, female toplessness is legal. As for why women don’t take advantage of it when exercising, breast movement varies from annoyance to uncomfortable and throwing off momentum depending upon size. As a result, many women exercise wearing what is most convenient: a sports-bra top. However, concerns about harassment are sadly valid.
Women are the majority of voting age adults, but they aren’t a homogeneous group voting exclusively on gender. 45% of women voted for Trump in 2024.
As a male who exercises in high heat on occasion (35-38c), I have never once thought that I’d rather be naked. I wear breathable, light colored clothing. I also wear a top. Sun burns aren’t healthy.
breast movement varies from annoyance to uncomfortable
As a teenager and young woman, not being able to find a good super supportive sports bra for my weird size was one of the reasons I stopped trying to exercise.
I still hold my boobs automatically when taking the stairs or when I run somewhere. Otherwise it hurts and feels like my breasts are being torn away from my body.
There was a movement to decriminalise women being topless (because it is actively criminalised in a lot of places). Unfortunately it’s fallen off. It’s particularly ridiculous because women are the ones who have an actual need to expose their breasts in public, ie some women need to breastfeed—no men need to.
Some people get turned on seeing topless men but it’s not a sex crime for men to be shirtless in public. Free the nipple 2025
Pretty sure breastfeeding is protected all over the US. It certainly is in Florida.
I’m not even big in that department, don’t wear a bra for yoga, but running? That needs a sport bra, and working outside I wear long sleeves to keep the sun off.
I do think beaches here should allow topless suits for women though. That might go a long way towards desexualizing simple nudity, people would get used to it. I agree that it ought not be a rule that you have to cover your boobs at all if you don’t want to.
Where are you getting the 1800s from?
Did men stop being horny since then?
Tbh, I’d much prefer if no one did.
At least in very public spaces like streets.
TIT SWEAT Need a bra to soak up the pools.
Honestly, I don’t think it is the men saying you can’t be topless. It’s other women. I am pretty sure that even though I would get used to boobs everywhere, I would still be in a generally better mood. Boobs just make most guys happy. I don’t know if it would make women who are attracted to women happy too, but maybe.
Legally, a lot of places it’s been court tested, and you actually can. Culturally, it’s just kind of that way. Hair is banned in Arabia, tits can hang out in Papua New Guinea. The West says no boobs but hair is fine.
A genital covering is the only cultural universal, although it can sometimes be overly revealing by Western standards, like with penis gourds.
A genital covering is the only cultural universal, although it can sometimes be overly revealing by Western standards, like with penis gourds.
retvrn
It’s legal where I live, but nobody does it cause women don’t wanna be stared at and cat called when they’re walking around titties out
A few women I’ve asked are happy with it being illegal - they say they just don’t want to see it. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who wants it to stay illegal, because for the most part they do want to see it
As a guy I kinda laugh to myself about those guys who walk around without a shirt on down the street
Yeah. There’s the dudes who have spent a lot of time at the gym, and really want the opportunity to let everyone know that. Then there’s the schlubby dudes who are just feeling too hot and DGAF what anyone else thinks. Not sure who’s more worthy of respect, there
^Real answer. It’s not just men, you’d definitely get stared at by everybody lol. It’s not bad but I notice a few stares here and there just going without a bra
That’s only because it’s unusual though. If more people did it, people would stop noticing.
They can where I live.
They don’t.
Because men. And very aggressive lesbians too, I’m guessing, but mainly men.
They can pretty much everywhere. The areas where it is against the law are in the minority. Every woman who wants to go topless in public, can and usually does. That’s just such a small subset no one sees it.
I would love it if women could go shirtless and braless but maybe not kids eh, that shit would be not so cool.
Kids probably don’t care.
I think they mean it would not be so cool for kids to be running around topless.
Yes
Ooh OK, this makes sense!
For what it’s worth I think it’s kinda weird for other guys to not wear a shirt in public, like dude what are you doing, put your shirt on.
Honestly I hate this take, saying everyone should have a to cover up to me is just was weird as saying one group should have to. There is literally no explanation you can give for this position that isn’t a personal problem you should get over.
I get what you’re saying. I also think society is too sensitive about nudity in general. I’m certainly not saying men should be fined for not wearing a shirt, it’s just my perspective. At the beach or pool is normal, but not just out on the street. Anyway I was only trying to say I don’t think stardards between men and women are so different in this particular case. Well I mean standards are definitely different, but (laws aside) not black and white different.
it’s the same kind of statement as saying that, for example, politicians should wear suits… we tend to have expectations that everyone is dressed to a similar level for the context they’re in. in public, that expectation tends to include a shirt of some kind. shirtless is a similar level of “should have to” as arriving at work or a party dressed too casually
But the idea of politicians needing to wear suits is arbitrary too. Why keep meaningless standards? Something should have to be causing an actual problem to not be allowed.
There’s also been a rise in swim shirts for boys and men. Which I see as a positive. Especially when it comes to sun exposure
Yeah, basically agree. And if parity is the goal I’d rather see men cover up a little more.
They also don’t want to be photographed and end up with their tits all over social media. Places where this used to be routine (European beaches and so on) there is a lot less of this than 30 years ago. Another thing mobiles phones and social media have made worse
My mom seemed to always have them out.
And we all loved her for that.
Giving the perfect example why this is not done
I live in Ontario, Canada, where it’s perfectly legal for women to be topless.
I’ve never actually seen anyone exercise that right (at least in person), but it’s a right.
Legally it’s allowed but socially it isn’t. We can’t go topless without being endlessly harassed and probably assaulted. It was bad enough when I walked home with my bikini top after going swimming.
I can’t argue that one bit.
I’m sorry men are so stupid. (I’m presuming it’s men)
