Should women be able to walk around topless in the USA?

Contributor: jokerzwild jokerzwild
For sure I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone they can't do something that doesn't harm another.
That said the work place is obviously out of the question unless appropriate for the type of work, but other then that when it is not hygienically relevant I think complete nudity is none of anyone concern.
If it makes you uncomfortable don't look, to say someone can't be topless because you don't want to see it is akin to making someone you find unattractive wear a mask.
03/11/2012
Contributor: Djiffy Djiffy
As a woman, I believe women should be able to walk around topless if they want. Western cultures are very strange about boobs. They're there for nourishing babies and in countless other cultures women going shirtless is the norm.
03/11/2012
Contributor: CindyH CindyH
it is ok to show some breast but not nacked
03/11/2012
Contributor: Mwar Mwar
The reason why it's taboo is because breasts are highly sexualized (and in a way demonized) in the USA.

Personally, breasts are breasts, I shouldn't have to worry about assault, etc. if I wanted to walk around topless. Alas, the world is not perfect.
03/11/2012
Contributor: BlooJay BlooJay
Just at designated beaches.
03/11/2012
Contributor: Dnice Dnice
Some events here in Ohio that they have downtown. I have seen breasts hanging out all over the place. I was in shock.
03/11/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I think it would be fine for a woman to go topless anywhere it is appropriate/acceptable for a man to go shirtless. Having "boobs" should not make a difference. There are plenty of guys with manboobs bigger than a womans.
Yep, I agree with this right here. Great point!
03/11/2012
Contributor: SubmissiveFeminist SubmissiveFeminist
Normally, I would say that people should be able to walk around topless because it's just their body but this country has sexualized breasts to such an extreme that many people wouldn't allow this because of children being exposed to "sexual objects."

Do I agree that this is okay? No, but my opinion isn't going to change the culture we live in. People already freak out when women breastfeed, for god's sake...
03/11/2012
Contributor: SexyRayne SexyRayne
I think so yes, because maybe we would all learn to be more comfortable with our bodies. Not to mention so mant other places allow it.
03/11/2012
Contributor: gorgeous gorgeous
Women should keep them covered. Even a lot of men that you see need to keep theirs covered too.
04/28/2012
Contributor: gsfanatic gsfanatic
It's hygiene that gets me. I'm not found of guys going shirtless in places I have to use the same furniture.
04/29/2012
Contributor: catastic catastic
If a man can go topless in public, I don't see why a woman shouldn't be able to. Nipples aren't a big deal. Everyone has them. And some men have bigger boobs than a lot of women. It should all be up to personal choice instead of being dictated to us.
05/02/2012
Contributor: nanamondoute nanamondoute
I'm sure if women all just start going topless, the breasts won't be as big a deal anymore. It's just the conservative values in America that causes this.
05/02/2012
Contributor: reinkaos reinkaos
Being a boobs guy, I agree, but thats probably a reason a lot of people disagree with it
05/11/2012
Contributor: Nirelan Nirelan
I don't see why they shouldn't, I never would but the option should be there lol. I walk around nekkid at home all the time.... I only don't do it in front of most friends and strangers because I like friends LOL I don't wanna burn their retinas
05/19/2012
Contributor: Darklyvan Darklyvan
Quote:
Originally posted by Just Jen
Men get to, babies get to, why are breast to be kept covered?
I only voted no because I could imagine the number of male teens involved in car accidents skyrocketing
05/19/2012
Contributor: spineyogurt spineyogurt
No because it would ruin boobs for me,
05/19/2012
Contributor: chuckthompson453 chuckthompson453
as much as I like boobs it seems like there is a time and place for them
05/30/2012
Contributor: KrazyKandy KrazyKandy
I think we should be allowed to be topless but personally I wouldn't. Im not showing my goodies for free.
05/30/2012
Contributor: sexxxkitten sexxxkitten
I don't think it would be the best idea in our society.
05/30/2012
Contributor: dv8 dv8
Plenty of people (both men and women) recently ran the Bay to Breakers marathon completely naked. The World Naked Bike Ride is coming up as well.
05/30/2012
Contributor: <3BF <3BF
I think there is way too much regulation on silly things like this in the land of the free. Go topless if you want, and if it hurts someones frail sensibilities that's their own problem.
06/02/2012
Contributor: mmmmm mmmmm
Where I live it is legal, but I've never seen anyone do it.
06/02/2012
Contributor: Stinkytofu10 Stinkytofu10
Absolutely yes, it's discrimination against women that only men get to walk around topless and not get arrested for indecent exposure/disturbing the public peace. Many men have larger breasts than many women. Though they probably won't expose themselves out of embarrassment, the fact that they can, but a flat-chested woman can't, is just wrong. Either way, breasts/chests are not genital areas and I believe anyone can and should be able to expose them if they choose, regardless of what the person looks like.
06/02/2012
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
If anyone wants to go topless, they should be allowed to.
06/02/2012
Contributor: hybridinsurge hybridinsurge
I think it should be allowed BUT private businesses should have the right to require all customers to wear shirts or to let them be topless.
07/01/2012
Contributor: BoobCopter BoobCopter
Yeah. Breasts are oversexualized and this might fix that.
07/02/2012
Contributor: butts butts
Of course! There is nothing unnatural or harmful about nudity, especially when males are allowed to walk around shirtless. Its horribly sexist to not let females when males can!
07/02/2012
Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
Men are allowed to go out and about (in certain places) without shirts, I say us women should be able to as well. But no, we make milk, have more fatty tissue in our breast, and are highly sexualized for our bodies, which is "disgusting!" -sigh-
07/03/2012
Contributor: SimpleHedonist SimpleHedonist
I know the question was about legality, but unfortunately, no matter what the law the issue really comes down to the over sexualizing of the female body (or more accurately the nude body in general) in our culture.

I tend to be a very clothing optional person. If I walk around my house or yard naked/topless it is not to titillate or arouse anyone, including my husband. In fact he is so used to seeing me naked, for him it is MUCH more arousing to see me in a sexy nightie. I have children and they have seen my naked tata's many a times. This is not uncomfortable for me or them at all, because it is a normal part of life.

That said, as much as I would enjoy being able to go to the beach or pool topless, or even work in my front yard topless, I most likely wouldn't because virtually everyone around me would find it to be a sexual act. To me this is a sad statement on our society, BUT I don't see it changing anytime soon!
07/03/2012