Why is it illegal for women to be topless

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Angus444

Senior Member
OK, a little Googling gives us the public order act of 1986, which suggests that going topless, or even nude, is not in itself illegal in the UK.

It only becomes illegal if the state of undress is used to 'harass, alarm or distress' others.

Essentially this seems to mean you can go topless, or nude, if you want to but if someone asks you to cover up, failing to do so would be a breach of the act.

Ask the naked rambler, arrested 14 times on his Land's End - John O'Groats walk in 2003-4

(Not bother by it myself, but I won't be doing it. Don't want to scare the horses)
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
OK, back on topic ...

It doesn't bother me - but I can see how some people can be offended. My students occasionally come into class half-dressed, but these days I don't really notice. Maybe I'm getting old.

However, The Sun and other papers/mags make a major fuss over breasts - so there's always going to be some sort of sexual connotation, which is why it's probably frowned upon.
 
OP
OP
Oldspice

Oldspice

Senior Member
I just can't see how it is regarded for one sex to be normal to be topless and yet for another sex it is a criminal offence. It used to be shocking for a woman to show her ankle at on time. Is it a western thing?

I have found that as long as your using your breast to feed a child (your own) then it is legal! So it boils down to, unless your putting your breasts to work, keep them covered (good grief) It's just sexual discrimination at the end of the day.

Picked the name Oldspice becuase it smells nice :smile:
 
OP
OP
Oldspice

Oldspice

Senior Member
OK, a little Googling gives us the public order act of 1986, which suggests that going topless, or even nude, is not in itself illegal in the UK.

It only becomes illegal if the state of undress is used to 'harass, alarm or distress' others.

Essentially this seems to mean you can go topless, or nude, if you want to but if someone asks you to cover up, failing to do so would be a breach of the act.

Ask the naked rambler, arrested 14 times on his Land's End - John O'Groats walk in 2003-4

(Not bother by it myself, but I won't be doing it. Don't want to scare the horses)

I don't see the police telling chaps to put there tops on:sad:
 

ayceejay

Guru
Location
Rural Quebec
I have a feeling that female breasts are a little bit more than "lumps of fat". As they serve no function when not lactating they should blow up when breast feeding and deflate soon after but this is not the case. I think it is likely that they evolved because men/mate are attracted to them (to put it mildly) and this is the same reason why they should be used discretely as not all attention would be appreciated.
 
OP
OP
Oldspice

Oldspice

Senior Member
So if a male and a female was topless. Which would get told to put there top on and which would get arrested if they refused?
 
OP
OP
Oldspice

Oldspice

Senior Member
I have a feeling that female breasts are a little bit more than "lumps of fat". As they serve no function when not lactating they should blow up when breast feeding and deflate soon after but this is not the case. I think it is likely that they evolved because men/mate are attracted to them (to put it mildly) and this is the same reason why they should be used discretely as not all attention would be appreciated.

:laugh:Sorry it was the inflate and deflate thing that did it. I think yo are over sexualising breasts as it would mean that people with small or medium breasts would all be childless and single (not saying your projecting).

Breasts are made up of muscle and fat (more fat than muscle) here's a handy link ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast
 

ttcycle

Cycling Excusiast
There's nothing wrong with nudity - it shouldn't be associated with sex only as being naked is natural. It makes me sad that people aren't comfortable in their bodies because of that.

It's religion historically but also gender issues in relation to the OP - women's bodies have often been sexualised and objectified ie the ideas of the male gaze, even in early historical painting it's evident and in advertising and marketing now it's rife.

So I wouldn't say that it's a criminal issue oldspice but you're definitely right to point out the gender issues when you put it as 'sexual discrimination' though I would word it differently.
 

Andy_R

Hard of hearing..I said Herd of Herring..oh FFS..
Location
County Durham
I've never understood why anyone's obliged to wear clothes if they don't want to.

I suspect that the real answer can be summed up in one word - religion.
It must be, although up here in the far northern wastelands, some of the young ladies have been accused of putting their tops back on in January cos it's winter.
 
I dont think it is illegal, if fact i dont think being nude is illegal, its the crime of "to cause offence" or something similar.

Page 3 offends me but then that's because its in the Sun. Not sure why what seems to be perfectly acceptable in The Sun is not acceptable on here.
 
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