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.
They can (Canada) but they don’t because guys think with their hormones.
Guys in general like breasts and, until going topless is normalized, those who do will get looks. It’s awkward, I’m sure. Perhaps we need a topless pride parade so no one is singled out and we can jumpstart the change in social norms.
Guys in some countries like breasts. I lived in a country where the top of the female was not considered private. I saw breasts regularly. After a couple of months, it was like looking at an elbow. Liking breasts is cultural.
It’s absolutely cultural, like so many sexual taboos, but it is a pretty common cultural norm.
I think the normalize is a big part. When I go to music festivals there are quite a lot of topless women and no one cares. It kinda feels novel the first time or two, and then it’s like, okay, this is normal.
Normalizing it in the general public would be a lot harder though.
Yes, but also this is why I want guys to put their shirts back on.
I’m not sure I get what you’re saying? You’re a guy and can’t stop yourself from staring at other guys’ chests?
No, that’s not it. The whole stupid thing revolves around a principle of parity, as you acknowledge. I’d just rather have it go the other way, and am willing to wear a shirt more if that’s what has to be done to appease those who want perfect parity in clothing rules between sexes.
Interesting. I lean more towards equity rather than equality, and giving options rather than removing them.
I said parity, but you know, anyway.
Options are great and all, but they’re not the be all and end all of self-actualization or whatever. Libertarians always try to sell capitalism and markets as radically freeing, while socialists and communists point out that markets are not inherently liberatory or fair or rational. Some would argue that giving a person the option to harm themselves is important because the freedom is more important than their well-being. A person has the right to spend their entire paycheck on scratchers or buy heroin and lieu of groceries or whatever. More options are not intrinsically beneficial.
And running around shirtless is low stakes to be sure, but it’s because of those low stakes that I’d rather it just be discouraged for everyone. Not criminal or anything, just kind of socially unacceptable, like chewing with your mouth open.