Don't ever show your boobies - AIBU?

[LovingKyloRen]

Observed from a distance while sitting at my 5YO DS's swimming lesson last week. A Mum sitting near me was talking to her friend and also trying to entertain her DD2 (DD1 in the pool). Little girl was no older than 4 and wearing a swimsuit. It's bloody roasting at the poolside so unsurprisingly she was complaining about being hot, so she took her swimsuit off as far as her waist. Her mum immediately pulled it back up and told her off for showing her boobies. Heard her say "you must never take your top off otherwise people can see your boobies." I thought it was really OTT. My DD is now a teenager and I would never have said anything like that to her so young - AIBU?

Admittedly Emillee's example is very extreme. The majority of children aren't in this situation.

But topless sunbathing by adult women is OK?

I'm sure i've read a thread where the just was:
O/p AIBU to want this half naked woman to cover up?
Mn: YABU, they're only breasts, Etc...

And as it happens even though my "entire 'internal working model' and sense of self worth is skewed" , according to some, I will not be teaching my pre pubescent daughter that her general chest region is sexual or shameful or private, any more than I will the back of her knee is.

Not sure what your point is. I wasn't talking about my working model or self worth. I was talking about my DD's and the need to parent her accordingly, without teaching her that any area of her body is "shameful" ... as though she should be ashamed of her experiences?????

Admittedly Emillee's example is very extreme. The majority of children aren't in this situation.

Yes, it really is extreme. But by no means unique.

But topless sunbathing by adult women is OK?

I'm fine with topless sunbathing by women too. I don't see breasts (actual real breasts on grown women) as something to be ashamed of either. However I understand why most people wouldn't feel comfortable topless sunbathing on a beech given the overtly sexual position women's breasts have in our society.

Totally agree with Vestal.

It's disgusting that a 4 year old child would be fine topless at a pool in blue shorts, but put that very same child in pink bottoms, and suddenly it's all "sexual boobies! Hide them!!"

The average child shouldn't have to cover up unless they want to, or they're developing breasts (and even then I don't necessarily think they should have to if they don't want to, but it is a little more complicated to navigate.)

YANBU. She is a small child. She doesn't have 'boobies'. She has a chest. Would she have said the same to a boy?

Boobies, yeuk hate that expression.

Why should toddlers and breastfeeding women be given the cover up message, when their breasts are non sexual, yet other women are encouraged to display them as a sign of sexuality?
This

The mother is already starting to teach her child that her 'boobies' should always ve covered when they are not sexual, yet give it to teen years and young adukthood and there'll be no issues dressing to highlight them. In other words, hide your boobs unless they are being shown in a way to please men/get thejr attention.

If she wanted her child to keep the swimsuit on then a simple instruction 'i know it's warm but keep your swimming costume on properly. We'll go change soon' is all that's needed.

My tomboy 9 year old swims in just a pair of boys swimming shorts same as her brother. She is not self conscious and is a skinny rake so no signs of development. She does get some odd looks mostly from other children trying to figure out if she is a boy or girl. Once she starts developing I will tell her to wear a vest.

vestalvirgin you have some serious issues going on if you belief people choose to be trans sexual because of their swimwear when 4 years old. I sincerely hope you aren't in any profession where you have access to children/vulnerable people .

And then you wonder why so many children declare that they're trans and now identify as boys

@FenceSitter01 Vesta makes a valid point. The earlier and harder you enforce bullshit gender stereotypes and oppression, it's harder for children who don't fit into the perfect girl or perfect boy category to just be themselves. Instead of being themselves,for example a girl who likes rough and tumble and isn't very caring must be a boy, since she isnt like how girls are supposed to be.