Are the swimwear rules gender-biased? - Instablogs
Are the swimwear rules gender-biased?
Pankaj , Shimla: Nov 22 2007
Made Popular Nov 22 2007

Are the swimwear rules gender-biased?
# A group of Swedish women is making waves by taking their TOPS OFF at public swimming pools in a protest against what they call gender-biased rules on swimwear.
# The campaign proposes to start a debate about why women’s bodies are sexualized.
# The fact that men can be bare-chested in public swimming pools but not women is “a concrete example of how women have fewer rights than men.”
# Opposition group reacting with indifference argues to make sure that women don’t get subjected to sexual harassment.

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0 Stars
Agree
Akhtar trinetdesign.co.uk
Rochdale, United Kingdom
Yes, of course there gender biased, women should be have exactly the same rights as men, I have no problem whatsoever with women going topless.
0 Stars
Disagree
Siddhesh
Pune, India
Breasts and vagina of women have been always been associated with sex as is the penis of man. Its natural that women have sexual organs on their chest....and norms of civilised world state not to reveal sexual organs in public......why do women want to wear knickers either?????....it seems that today it has become fashion to call anything a ’gender bias’!! If this happens why should men wear undergarments while swimming?........I am just imagining how many women will be then able to watch men’s swimming events...:D
0 Stars
Disagree
Ramya.
Chennai, India
No, as I am a traditional person, i will never support, woman going topless. There should be some limit for everything. I totally agree with what Mr. Siddhesh wrote on this. Can we imagine watching males without wearing anything on streets or while swimming? Totally ridiculous.
1 Stars
Disagree
Pooja
Shimla, India
No it isn’t so rather it would be crazy to ask in for such kinda rights…nuttin’ but SHEER NUDITY in lieu of equal rights!
2 Stars
Agree
Ana
Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Battle of the sexes. Interesting n it’s not new. Historically we have been debating the issue and thought there would be more equality between men and women as time goes on. Unfortunately in the contemporary world, trends are moving in the other direction.

Any ways, the bigger question here is why are women’s bodies sexualized. They are and for no reason. A girl since her childhood see all the things that most of the times force her to think herself more of a sexual object. She dresses in a way so as to present herself what is defined as Sexier in the even more male dominated entertainment industry.

The fact that women are now taking the place of men in their roles in society is not a sign of societal deterioration. And why is it that there is a male superiority factor at the back of my mind even while i am commenting here.

we can reject what we are made for( both physically and mentally) and it will always lead to progression if we do. If we believe that it’s only men, who have the talent to administer the world, i think we are seriously wrong. So why is it that most of the wars in recent times were fought just because some one wanted to prove his manly leadership qualities to the whole world.

It is often argued and accepted by the Feminists that women, being the “gentler sex”, and typically being the main care givers in society, are less aggressive than men. So, if given appropriate and full rights, could counter-balance the male-dominated world which is characterized by aggression in attitudes, thoughts, society and, ultimately, war.
1 Stars
Agree
Yes, definitely. This was a debate that we had during our school and university days. As Ana Nickole pointed out, this is not a very new debate.

I believe that rules like the swimming pool one are skewed too much in favour of the feminine gender of the human species than the masculine. This is a sexist feminist agenda that goes against men.

Why? Women who are not frigid definitely by nature of being are attracted to males because of their physical attributes just like males are to females. It is not only the male of the human species that are attracted to a woman because of apparent physical qualities.

Therefore, how can it be okay when the females have the privilege of ogling at a male bare body, admiring and perhaps lusting at a well sculpted body, chest hair or so on when the male is deprived of having a look at the bare busts of females?

I don’t agree with Siddhesh when he says females have 2 sexual attractions as opposed to only 1 for males. How can you generalize this? There are many females who would tell you how different parts of the male anatomy are sexually arousing for them other than what you have mentioned.

A rule allowing woman to go topless if they pleased in public beaches and swimming pool will do a world of good to reduce frustration on both the sides. Did it occur to anyone that in nudist beaches and resorts, the nudists are not in perpetual state of being sexually aroused?

For those who cry morality, first they must check in with themselves how and what makes them morally superior than the ones they think are promiscuous? As they say, it is all in the mind, not in the body - just like virginity is a state of mind, and not the body.

Lastly, talking of gender equality would be farcical if we don’t allow each gender to whatever they wish with their bodies as the other gender. Here, if a group of women are demanding to be allowed to go topless in public just as men are, then they should be allowed to do so.

We have had enough lowly and disgusting moral policing till now. Those who don’t, they may join the Taliban campaign.
2 Stars
Agree
Vinod
Shimla, India
The attire is always of someone’s liking, then why not the swimsuit. Well the question is here of the freedom. It should be willed than forced and if someone is interested therein why to raise eyebrows or frown? We are in the 21st century and it’s the mockery of the freedom, which we often talk about but never implement.
0 Stars
Disagree
Toby
London, United Kingdom
@ Ananickole

women, being the “gentler sex”, and typically being the main care givers in society, are less aggressive than men. So, if given appropriate and full rights, could counter-balance the male-dominated world which is characterized by aggression in attitudes, thoughts, society and, ultimately, war.



Just a query...do u know there’s a war going on in Iraq? n do u know about torture and other grotesque acts on Iraqi captives that were or are carried out there?

For feminists and others like you who believe or argue or accept or whatever, there came a shocking report where some of these acts were being perpetrated by women in the U.S. military. So i don’t understand wat’s wrong with the ”gentler sex”.

If you think equality is the goal, your standards are too low. It is not enough to be equal to men, when the men are acting like beasts. It is not enough to assimilate. We need to create a world worth assimilating into.
0 Stars
Disagree
Siddhesh
Pune, India
Jonty u r playing with words.....yes, even i can say what ’other’ parts of women body are sexy besides 2 i’ve mentioned! But display of sexual organs is JUST OBSCENE!!!......other organs are secondary......tommorrow someone can raise debate that they do not want clothing at all!!
2 Stars
Agree
Let women flaunt their breasts if they like showing them off. But don’t force others who would like to be conservative.

It is a matter of choice. If you like it, then go for it, only be responsible in your actions so as not to create scandal or any fights in breast exposure.

A typical example would be a couple and most men will look at the exposed breast of the woman most of the time. How will the male partner react to that? For women, just be ready for the possible results of showing your hidden beauty.
2 Stars
Disagree
Simon flasharcadegamessite..
Heywood, United Kingdom
Male office workers have to wear ties I don’t see them complaining even though it’s clearly a sign of ’concrete’ inequality, do you seem them protesting by organising trouser less events? , no you don’t.
2 Stars
Agree
No use discussing over it. Just the female word and nude word remains center of discussion. Why females don’t complain about man in underwear? If they do, some intellectuals will put it in newspapers, magazines etc. for discussion. And still more if females snatch away their freedom on the basis of being a human, not females, then god its a blunder. She should be hanged. Carry on discussing Male and Female. Dont bother about the very being. Does any man like cloths on the body of a female?Specially, when she is ready to take of cloths for him only. Then it’s o.k.!! let it be the same women on the beach asking for the same for herself. Whom the intellectual males are criticizing right now.
0 Stars
Agree
Female + less cloths= anti social

Male + only underwear = comfortable

thats it
2 Stars
Agree
I read somebody wrote that breasts are sexual organ. Only sexual?????

It has a purpose which all of you will remember if you go back to your childhood memories...... in the lap of your mother.....getting the only food for your survival. But, now you have grown up and wish to see sexuality only. It was not, but you were taught that it’s a sexual organ only. So much emphasis on sexuality. it’s in the mind so strong that we don’t wish to see the other side because today we prefer whiskey and don’t need milk.
0 Stars
Disagree
Sexuality is not as much a matter of intellectual debate as a matter of primal desires or instincts. There is an animal inside us all, and social norms seek to restrain it within. This applies to the protectionist approach when it comes women’s clothing, swimwear or purdah, it is protectionist. Patriarchal society tends to be protective of its women folk. When it comes to sexuality and sexual urges, the way a male brain thinks and perceives is substantially different from the way a female brain does.
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