Double standards.

The most I consider the double standard of bodies, particularly who cultural standards placed on male and female bodies. More after the break because some people get all sensitive about pictures of Breasts. Worse some people even get into trouble for them being on the screen.

If you enjoyed that comic and want more here you go. The Artist goes by Kendrawcandraw.

Now I think we can all agree unless you lived under a rock since the 50’s that women are put to very different standards then are men, one which are harder to meet and I would say are often contradictory. Though for this point my main concern is how some of these standards exist as laws, or as rules which must be followed for work, to blend in, or on school children.

I think the most ubiquitous and related type of law in North America is that the breast possessed by women are not allowed to be exposed, but men’s breast are under no such restriction. Or I suppose it’s more often the female nipple which is outlawed. Those dastardly nipples! They’re capable of feeding babies you know!

Now progress has been made on this issue, and is hardly an issue in much of Europe anymore. Though I don’t think there is a compelling reason to restrict the breast of one gender and not restrict the breasts of other genders equally. If your going to impose an arbitrary rule you might as well be consistent. Though I hope it’s obvious that I’m in favor of removing such outdated and puritanical laws. Although I primarily want to do this not just because they are silly and unfair, but because I think they do real harm. First in what I guess will be more controversial, by making female breast and nipples kept solely to the private realm we add to the over sexualiztion of female bodies. In simplest terms I can think of by hiding away the female body we make the female body restricted to home life, medical care and sex. Private, shameful, or sexulized. While this is very much over simplified I think it’s important to remember that things lose much of there power, good or bad, when they become common place. I’m of the opinion that we should just over the fact that some people have larger breasts then other people and stop making a big deal about it.

Second I also think it should not be such a faux pas, or worse against the law for a mother to feed her infant child. These little more natural then a mother breast feeding her child, but because of all these social constructs about what’s “proper” we’ve gotten to the point where we feel we need to shame practical body parts for child rearing. The very notion that we would shame a person for having a body part that effectively everyone has should be more then enough to condemn the whole idea (imagine if someone tried to convince you of the shamefulness of showing, or worse using your thumbs in public). Though when people put the shaming of a persons body over the welfare of a young child  I can’t help but be disgusted.

So who agree who dissents. Do you think people should be free to expose there chests breasts, do you think it would be better if all the breasts where best left covered? You know why I think laws and cultural taboo’s banning exposed breasts are unfair and harmful. Further thoughts, example and experiences are always welcome.