This is America and it's 2016: the time of freedom and equal rights for all. Eh, mostly. I'm pretty content with the majority of things that I can do in this country and the start of even more rights for individuals. I do have a slight problem though: double standards for men and women. I do think that women can do pretty much anything that men can do, even though I still believe that men are genetically built with a stronger body because they have more testosterone. However, my problem comes in to play when we talk about boobs and the difference between men and women's breasts.
1. We both have nipples.
Not that I am eager to flash my boobs around or anything, but what is the difference between my boobs and my boyfriend's? Mine are bigger, but so what. Men have all different size boobs and they can still walk around the beach with their shirt off. I have nipples, you have nipples, we all have nipples...so what is stopping women from being allowed to show theirs? #freethenipple
2. Women's boobs are sexualized.
Why is it that women's boobs are more so seen as a sex object and men's aren't? Men's boobs may be sexualized, but it is mainly their chest and their abs, not so much their nipples and boobs themselves, but either way, we don't make it a big deal when we seen men's breasts. All my life I have been told that I shouldn't show my boobs to men or anyone because they are "private" and only for me, yet I can show them if I have sex with someone. And strip clubs? They exploit women with boobs and make it a thing that boobs are sexual. If we start to see boobs our whole life, then maybe we will start viewing women as humans rather than objects.
3. We have to wear bras.
The fact that we've had our breasts be covered for such a long time, I think that it is a taboo thing for our boobs to be uncovered. Society makes it so that we have to wear bras, and do you know how expensive bras are? They range in price from $20-$70. Good, supportive ones are probably at least $50. But the thing is, bras are really not even good for you. They could potentially hurt your back and maybe even cause cancer because of all of the pressure that is forced onto your breasts. But men don't have to wear them, even though they also have breasts.
4. My bra is a distraction.
So, OK, women have to wear bras. But heaven forbid if you can see the bra! Oh no, my bra strap is hanging out at school, that is distracting to the boys and I must cover it up. Or, my shirt is see through and you can see my bra -- wait, I thought that it only mattered if you saw my boobs? So do I need to cover my bra as well? So then why do I need to wear a bra? Because it's a distraction? I'm so confused. It is a distraction because you're making it a distraction. Stop looking at my tits like sexual objects.
5. Why can the media use my body but I can't?
Commercials and media use boobs to sell things like beer, deodorant and food to men. They show the boobs and sexualize the women by putting her in a cute outfit and showing her tits, and that is completely OK in our world. But I can't go to the beach and make my own choice to show my boobs for free? Why?
6. Breastfeeding is normal.
Why are we making a big deal about women being able to feed their children in public? Let me be clear, I do not think that anybody should be allowed to go into a restaurant or public place and be naked; I wouldn't even show my boobs in a restaurant even if it was natural because I think that is a completely different setting. However, I believe that a woman should modestly be able to feed her baby in a public restaurant and it shouldn't be a big deal at all because she is literally nourishing her child as you are nourishing your four year old who is sitting at the table eating.
I believe that women should have the choice in whether they show their breasts in public. Let's normalize breasts in all shapes and forms.
