Did you know that both a male and female’s breast consist of
the same things? They both have breast tissue, an areola, and a nipple. Yet
when a female nipple is shown in a movie it automatically is rated R… whereas a
violent film where there is shooting and killing of people it can still be
rated PG. We’ve watched Eric Garner take his final breaths on video, we’ve seen
beheadings on Facebook, yet a photo of a women breastfeeding is considered
reportable.
Men have had the right to be topless since 1936, yet women
in this day and age still don’t have this same right to their bodies. In the
USA today it is illegal for women to be topless in 37 of the 50 states. In 5 of
those states it is illegal for women to breastfeed in public; in Louisiana a
woman showing her nipple can be sentenced to jail up to three years and face a
$2,500 fine. In NYC it is legal for women to walk around topless yet countless
women are arrested each year for it. Yet when it’s a hot summer day men can
walk around without a t-shit on with no problem.
The sexualization of women is a very real thing. Sexualizing
the nipple allows movie companies and producers to make millions of dollars.
“Why is it that they can sell them, but we cant wear them”-
Lina Esco
Just because our society as a whole looks as female breast
as a sign of privacy and nudity does not mean it’s a good thing. This isn’t
just a fight for women to be able to go t the beach without wearing a top; it’s
a fight for equality. Things need to change. It’s time to challenge censorship
laws. Just because covering up a female’s breast is how it has always been,
doesn’t mean that’s how it always has to be.
I never knew a lot of this, so thanks for enlightening me! That is an especially shocking fact about Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to note about censorship is the way that movies portal male and female orgasm and male and female oral sex. I am unclear on the exact rules, but I know that a man portraying a character receiving oral sex or a character having an orgasm is not as highly rated as when a woman portrays the same. When a woman portrays this it is consider more scandalous.
Also, read about the Bechdel test http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test I know I certainly cannot think of many films that pass it.
I think it is ridiculous that in some states it is still illegal for women to breastfeed in public. I suppose I understand why it is illegal for women to go completely topless in some states, because of the way women's breasts have been sexualized in American culture, but I don't think I'll ever understand why it would ever be illegal for a woman to feed her baby in public, breastfeeding or not. Breastfeeding is not a sexual act, so for what reason should it be hidden or done in private?
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding is such a natural thing between a mother and her child that is is horrible for people to consider it a sexual act. I think it should be legal for a woman to do that wherever and whenever she has to!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meggs, I understand why women being topless is illegal in some states but I don't believe a woman should be looked down upon for breast feeding her child in public. I feel as if in order to make everything equal, then overall nudity would have to be legalized in every state. Men and women have different bodies and it's true, American culture has sexualized womens' breasts and in some cases, women sexualize their breasts themselves. So the argument can go either way.
ReplyDeleteAs far as breast feeding, women generally aren't completely topless while doing so and I think it's ridiculous how some people react to it. That woman is feeding her hungry baby, saving money, and providing better nutrients to her child than some of the formulas out there. Is she not supposed to feed her hungry child just because she's in public? Also, there's nothing even sexual about it, people make it a big deal for no reason.
I am all for this movement. While I think that it would be strange to see a women walking around topless in public it is a whole other act to be breast feeding your child in public. I wonder if in these places where you can be penalized for feeding your child how one would go about arresting a women for doing this. Would they say "Put your hands in there air for feeding your child"? Your approach to this movement was strong and worded nicely. Overall this piece made me want to join this movement and fight for the rights of these mothers.
ReplyDelete