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.

  • Global_Liberty@lemmy.ml
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    5 hours ago

    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.

    • volvoxvsmarla@sopuli.xyz
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      4 hours ago

      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.

  • communism@lemmy.ml
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    6 hours ago

    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

  • Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    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.

  • folaht@lemmy.ml
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    7 hours ago

    There’s fewer women than men up until elderly age.
    The only way you can take your shirt off for hot days and exercise without getting too much male attention, is when there’s enough female competition that men can’t take off theirs.
    But that also means in bars, churches, libraries, online dating sites, everywhere.

    • Global_Liberty@lemmy.ml
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      5 hours ago

      No.

      In the United States, for example, by age 45 women are the majority and remain so. As infants and children cannot vote, women also form most eligible voters.

  • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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    14 hours ago

    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.

    • marcie (she/her)@lemmy.ml
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      12 hours ago

      A genital covering is the only cultural universal, although it can sometimes be overly revealing by Western standards, like with penis gourds.

      retvrn

  • krunklom@lemmy.zip
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    11 hours ago

    They can where I live.

    They don’t.

    Because men. And very aggressive lesbians too, I’m guessing, but mainly men.

    • Flickerby@lemmy.zip
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      10 hours ago

      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.

    • Chromebby@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      ^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

  • FuckFascism@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

    I would love it if women could go shirtless and braless but maybe not kids eh, that shit would be not so cool.

  • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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    18 hours ago

    Because there was a movement to make it socially acceptable for men in the 20th century that was successful while the equivalent one for women has been slower, but also has seen some successes resulting in places like New York, New York and Columbus, Ohio permitting female toplessness in public.

  • observes_depths@aussie.zone
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    1 day ago

    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.

    • deathbird@mander.xyz
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      12 hours ago

      Yeah, basically agree. And if parity is the goal I’d rather see men cover up a little more.

    • TheMadBeagle@lemmy.ml
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      24 hours ago

      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.

      • observes_depths@aussie.zone
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        5 hours ago

        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.

      • Pup Biru@aussie.zone
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        13 hours ago

        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

    • dom@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      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

  • otp@sh.itjust.works
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    24 hours ago

    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.

    • RoquetteQueen@sh.itjust.works
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      23 hours ago

      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.