Topless day at Venice Beach!

[Trieste]

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-484938?hpt=C2

I loved watching this video. What the men who are trying to oppose this (why does it always seem to be men?) don't realize is that by giving women the power to lead them to Hell, they are empowering us much more than they ever intended. Of course, it's also placing a huge burden on women just for having breasts: my sin is your fault, they say.

Which is not true. Every man is responsible for his own sins, and I'm pretty sure it says so in the Bible. 

By the way, my favorite was "put the tit in constitutional".

[Wolfy]

I notice the Camera stays above the breast line.

Plus, doesn't it also say that Woman came from Man's rib? So..techniqually, men are the cause of the women leading them to hell, eh? o3o

[Trieste]

I notice the Camera stays above the breast line.

Plus, doesn't it also say that Woman came from Man's rib? So..techniqually, men are the cause of the women leading them to hell, eh? o3o

Well, it had to remain appropriate for CNN's website, which tries not to show bare breasts.

[Serephino]

What I thought was funny was someone asked the guy about Adam and Eve, and he said they sinned and put on clothes.  Wouldn't that mean that being nude is a pre-sin thing?  Also, if he would have read Genesis, he would know that God was disappointed in the fact that they felt the need to put on clothes. 

I see no issue with it.  I see the human body as a work of art to be appreciated.  I walk around naked in my own home.  Clothes are so confining, and being naked is cooler when it's hot.  I also agree that it is a bit sexist to let us men show our bare chests, but not women because they aren't flat.

[Brandon]

Im all for gender equality and I never really understood why boobs couldnt be shown in public but I tend to think its because they can be "arousing". Then again a woman with beautiful breasts, clothed or otherwise, can arouse me so that doesnt make much sense.

There are topless and even nude beaches all over the world so why cant we have them in the US beyond maybe private beaches?

With the men claiming that this leads to perversion, homosexuality, and pedophilia (Im not 100% sure they said this last one) I can pretty much only say that if they want to go off and claim a land to form a country where the laws of Christianity are the laws of the land thats fine. However in the US and other countries the religious laws are not the laws of the land, to try and force people outside of that religion to follow them is quite stupid IMO. As long as they choose to live there they must follow the laws of the land, not the laws of the faith

[Trieste]

What I wonder is how seeing breasts all the time could possibly lead to homosexuality. Are they afraid men will become immune to the power of boobies? 'Cause if that's the reasoning, I'm not sure they're being honest with themselves...

[Brandon]

If I understand the reasoning (and I use that word loosely) they think that breasts out in the open leads to perversion and over time that perversion will increase to other kinds of perversion.

I suppose their reasoning is a bit like drug use. Some people will start with Marijuana and once they develop a resistance to it and need more to get high they move to other more potent drugs like cocaine.

[Lilias]

I've seen plenty of topless sunbathing on Greek beaches since I was a kid. After the first couple of times, I didn't bat an eyelid, and neither did any of the kids I hung out with.

But what do I know, I'm only a European reprobate

Or I'd never have ended up here, right?

[Oniya]

The first time that I went to a 'clothing optional' event, my reaction was 'Woahshiteyecontact!  LOTS of eye contact!'  By the end of the week, when we all met up at the nearby Pizza Hut, it was 'Oh, I didn't recognize you.  So that's what you look like with your clothes on!'

[Merlyn]

I just find it funny that people relate things like this to religion.  Not to mention that if they're that concerned that it is sin, they can simply move to the mountains and become a non speaking monk.  That way they can't sin... until of course they get bored and start playing with themselves, since I'm sure that's even more of a sin than being topless. 

Things like this are only a big deal because it's made into a big deal.  Sure topless women are arousing, especially in area's where it's a taboo in public, and is looked at as arousing.  Do you really think that it's looked at as being arousing in the African countries where it's normal to wear little more than a shred of cloth... if that?

[Oniya]

Things like this are only a big deal because it's made into a big deal.  Sure topless women are arousing, especially in area's where it's a taboo in public, and is looked at as arousing.  Do you really think that it's looked at as being arousing in the African countries where it's normal to wear little more than a shred of cloth... if that?

Relevant to that, there are groups that got all up in arms about National Geographic for showing African and South American tribal women who went around topless.

[Hunter]

Humor me: Would you want your five year old to see boobies?  Personally, I wouldn't want to explain sex to a five year old.

[Trieste]

... every five year old has seen boobies, at least if they are breast fed.

[Hunter]

... every five year old has seen boobies, at least if they are breast fed.

And...if they weren't?

[Oniya]

It's possible to explain breasts - and even penises - without getting into sex.  As this is 'topless' day, breasts are just what makes the difference between little girls and big girls.  Heck, just last night my roommate came down and was explaining why she had to ban a troll on the chat room she mods.  (Lest there is any misunderstanding, she just said that he came in on camera and did some things he shouldn't do.)  My 9-year-old asked 'what', and I told her he was showing the parts that should be covered with his underwear - which led into a reminder about how those parts are private.

[Wolfy]

It's possible to explain breasts - and even penises - without getting into sex.  As this is 'topless' day, breasts are just what makes the difference between little girls and big girls.  Heck, just last night my roommate came down and was explaining why she had to ban a troll on the chat room she mods.  (Lest there is any misunderstanding, she just said that he came in on camera and did some things he shouldn't do.)  My 9-year-old asked 'what', and I told her he was showing the parts that should be covered with his underwear - which led into a reminder about how those parts are private.

But Oniya...breasts are covered by Underwear...does that make them private too, then? o3o

[Trieste]

And...if they weren't?

If they weren't, they probably still saw mommy naked.

And if they didn't see that, then they will point and wonder what's up with that, and just like every other unfamiliar physical characteristic, Mommy can say "It's part of their body, sweetie. It's called a breast and it's used for feeding little babies."

Boom, all done. There is no need to sexualize breasts all the time. People develop foot fetishes. It's not uncommon. High heels are sexualized. But you don't see people saying "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!" about feet or high heels. It's the same concept. It's just a nipple.

Really.

[Wolfy]

If they weren't, they probably still saw mommy naked.

And if they didn't see that, then they will point and wonder what's up with that, and just like every other unfamiliar physical characteristic, Mommy can say "It's part of their body, sweetie. It's called a breast and it's used for feeding little babies."

Boom, all done. There is no need to sexualize breasts all the time. People develop foot fetishes. It's not uncommon. High heels are sexualized. But you don't see people saying "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!" about feet or high heels. It's the same concept. It's just a nipple.

Really.

Well, unless you practice Islam...as I understand it, women have to be covered from head to toe, with basically only their eyes visible, when out in public.

Though...I never really understood the reason why. O-o...is is Masogony(I probably spelled that wrong)?, is it Tradition? Is there even a reason for it anymore? Hmm...

Then again, I could be confusing the whole thing with something else. o3o

[Hunter]

You also have to remember that people here have a "relaxed" view on sexuality (if they didn't they wouldn't be here, right?) but many people do NOT.  As far as they are concerned sexuality and sexual discussion isn't something appropriate for children.

I just ask that everyone remember: Just because it's okay from your viewpoint doesn't mean that it's okay from someone elses.  And their viewpoint isn't any more wrong or right than yours just because it's different.

[Wolfy]

You also have to remember that people here have a "relaxed" view on sexuality (if they didn't they wouldn't be here, right?) but many people do NOT.  As far as they are concerned sexuality and sexual discussion isn't something appropriate for children.

I just ask that everyone remember: Just because it's okay from your viewpoint doesn't mean that it's okay from someone elses.  And their viewpoint isn't any more wrong or right than yours just because it's different.

True..but sex education is being pushed to be taught at younger and younger ages, soo...o3o

[Trieste]

You also have to remember that people here have a "relaxed" view on sexuality (if they didn't they wouldn't be here, right?) but many people do NOT.  As far as they are concerned sexuality and sexual discussion isn't something appropriate for children.

I just ask that everyone remember: Just because it's okay from your viewpoint doesn't mean that it's okay from someone elses.  And their viewpoint isn't any more wrong or right than yours just because it's different.

Thank you for the reminder.

However, you are liking sexuality and sex to a physical trait that is not inherently sexual. It is fetishized and sexualized while growing up. We know this, we've seen the difference in other cultures. Just the same as the example I put out about feet, high heels. What about corsets? What about letting a child see a ping pong paddle? Paddles can be used in sexual play, but they can also be explained mundanely.

So can breasts.

"That's... that's just not right!" is not a valid reason for banning something.

[Oniya]

But Oniya...breasts are covered by Underwear...does that make them private too, then? o3o

A 9-year-old typically doesn't have to cover their chest with underwear.  When it comes time to cover it, then it's for support - and at that point they should be old enough to be told more about sex.

Well, unless you practice Islam...as I understand it, women have to be covered from head to toe, with basically only their eyes visible, when out in public.

Though...I never really understood the reason why. O-o...is is Masogony(I probably spelled that wrong)?, is it Tradition? Is there even a reason for it anymore? Hmm...

Then again, I could be confusing the whole thing with something else. o3o

Mysogyny - and I'm not certain it was the original (or current) reason for the concealing clothing.  I've seen at least one place where it was intended to shield the woman from the lustful gazes of other men.

[Wolfy]

Well...our views as a country on Sexuality aren't really going to ever change, I would suspect...such things are so gradual that an iceberg would move faster. (or Melt faster, as the case would be currently)..so..yeah. o-o

Still, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, right? Who knows..maybe little Trieste or Oniya will be the start of that change.

[RubySlippers]

Real story. My friend had her new baby a son and was daring to ,get this, breast feed the baby in a Burger King and being pretty discrete but the towel came off for a moment the baby moving a bit and some couple got upset there son who was fourteen I would guess saw her breast.    Come on its natural for a breast to be attached to a baby feeding the child and it was a momentary event. I fixed her up right away.

I mean come on breasts there to feed babies I thought. Geesh! 

This was just silly what if women went around topless most people would not think much of it after awhile I bet. There are some men on the beach I wish WOULD cover up their chests. 

[Lilias]

There are some men on the beach I wish WOULD cover up their chests. 

This. Right. There.

Can we implement a law that moobs are indecent exposure? They're not supposed to exist, after all!