Topless in gym pool?

[liv4321S]

I don't know if this is such an obvious question, but men obviously just wear swimming shorts, as a woman, could I be topless? Or would I be asked to leave?

I mean people sexualise boobs but they're there for a purpose... to feed babies. Surely if men can a woman can?

Thank u

You think breasts don’t play a role in sexual attraction? Breasts are permanent in adult human females. No other species has them unless pregnant/lactating, not even other primates.

You reckon?

Doubtful really.

I reckon there'd be a unruly queue of men signing up at your gym.

It's not that you "can't".

You are perfectly at liberty to do it, legally, as long as you are not intending to cause offence. It's the societal responses and leering men that will put you off.

It's not the legal position that is the problem - it's that men in our society can't cope with it and will ogle/ laugh/ respond immaturely, and probably a lot of women will also disapprove.

It's the way people are socialised to respond that is the problem.

In most cultures which don’t cover breasts, breasts are still considered sexual: it’s just that sex and sexuality isn’t considered shameful and sexual organs aren’t considered something which need to be concealed - similarly, it’s not uncommon for men to have their penis on display or wear decorative koteka (sheaths) which emphasise their penis.

Fannies are designed for pushing babies out of so...

Yes they could and should ask you to leave. The reality is that societal norms develop over time and change over time. Right now, our societal norm says that breasts fully out in public is the same as exposing genitals or ass.

100 years ago, a woman showing her ankles would have been a problem. That changed. So, over time, it might well be that breasts are considered the same as a man's chest, but right now, that's not the case.

Sorry...what? Are you ok?

This

I have to admit I'm quite curious about this inasmuch as I've had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. I did not go for a reconstruction, instead opting for aesthetic flat closure. It is beautifully neat, a true testament to my oncoplastic surgeon's skill. Would it be ok for me to go topless in the pool or at the gym? Probably not.

Surely if you want to go topless in your local gym/swimming pool all you have to say is you identify now as a man. Absolutely nothing they could do about it.

I think if there were topless sessions everyone could be free together. I’m not sure many men could cope in eye shot as boobs seem to be sexualised but are actually for babies….

Go for it.

Let us know how it goes :)

I wouldn't want to as i generally have bigger boobs than most men so swimming would be uncomfortable without support whilst swimming for exercise (I dont even have big breasts).
You can't compare Apples with Oranges.
Men's chest area is very different to women's. Hairy, flat chested with useless nipples which serve no purpose. Whereas women's anatomy is very different.

I’m a die hard feminist and agree it should be possible but the logic seems flawed in that a) most fitness swimming is done in an all in one anyway and b) you’d have to then ask the question why the men even wear shorts, and then why anyone needs bottoms either.

It’s the same in many cultures, it’s only not acceptable in ours because men said so.

My, that is evil, even genius.

Men did used to wear all in one swimming costumes. I think they looked better than budgie smugglers. I remember being mystified reading in a Famous Five book about an American girl staying with the five as she was in danger of being kidnapped. They disguised her as a boy, cut her long blonde hair off and she ended up looking more boyish than George. Aunt Fanny asked if she had a swimsuit and sh3 said “yes, it’s dry plain one,just like a boy’s”.

I'm waiting for the "as a man..." posts saying they'd be all for this.

Seem to be sexualized? Do you get sexual pleasure from your partner touching your breasts? Does your partner get sexual pleasure from touching your breasts? Womens' breasts are sexual. Womens' chests are not the same as mens.

Yes,they are dual purpose as they can also feed babies.

Lots of goady posts today!

But where does it stop? First you want to get your tits out then what? You're bored again and now want to get your foof out too for the shock factor? The look at me factor? It's natural, as God intended? Yada yada!

Even if you aren’t told to cover up, most people will just think you’re a bit of a sad, attention-seeking exhibitionist.

@doublec that’s one that could really tie the gym up in knots, given that cancer is a protected characteristic.

Yes! Given I'm only three weeks post-surgery, I have been told to get a much air to the scar as possible. Like last time, I mostly sit around my house topless, although now I am completely flat, have yet to do this in the wild. Also, and given my hair is short/regrowing after chemo, I fear some will think I'm a transman 🙄😶

Will report back should I be tempted!

Breasts play a role in sexual attraction and without that there would be no babies to feed. Ridiculous to pretend they’re not sexual.

That. If breasts were only for feeding, there'd be no market for push up bras or boob jobs, or anything else that emphasises the breasts or makes them look attractive.

And if course it's perfectly well known that they're classed as a secondary sexual characteristics, biologically and anthropologically.

The whole 'Free the Nipple' thing is also ridiculously naive (or deliberately ignoring knowledge and logic) in this regard.

Western cultures are not they only cultures on this planet. You won’t find women in tribes wearing push up bras or getting boob jobs, many don’t even cover them.

They may well be a secondary sexual characteristic, but that doesn’t mean men in the west haven’t over sexualised them.