User: Qreeus

Firstly, it is a common misconception that nude women/girls is more dangerous. In fact, males are actually MORE often the victims of sexual abuse in various forms and degrees because we have just that attitude. As children we allow males to be nude more and actually force them to in some instances. We trust females in the presence of nude males almost implicitly and allow a lot of incidental sexual abuse which we classify as normal. For example it is not uncommon for females to manipulate a little boys genitals, whether it be sister, mother, aunt, babysitter, cousin etc, yet if men did the same to girls we consider it abuse. We guard female bodies more.

Secondly, breast does not equal male genital. A vagina is the equivalent of the male genitals and as for breasts, most societies outside US do not sensationalise them so and they are no more sexual than say a mans buttocks or abs would be to a woman. To equate the full monty with topless is incorrect and dangerous. Funny enough a famous movie where this double standard was more obvious than ever is Basic Instinct. The legendary "beaver shot" was hardly noticable but to horny teenage boys who likely spent hours desperately trying to pause at the right moment and playback on super slo-mo. The scene warranted an NC-17 rating unless edited, which it was for US cinemas. Funny enough, there is a full monty shot of male genitals in the first scene of the film when they go in to the cadaver in the house---nobody complained, or even noted it.

I have to say, I am a woman and I actually research these gender issues and media. I get really tired of how people are so worried about how women are portrayed in the media. How about how men are portrayed in the media? It is in fact a larger problem today with the media taking a great deal more liberties with men and boys which profoundly impact young boys image of their gender and have very serious consequences on society as a whole. People are so busy doing what patriarchy always did, worrying about women and treating us like breakable china dolls that cannot handle anything and are unduly influenced by everything, that they fail to see the true problems with the media; the portrayal of men and the male sex role.

I created this poll, I am actually a woman and I am actually writing about such issues now. Your observations are very keen especially in regard to the statues, something most people do not think about. See, people often go on about patriarchy but the reality is that patriarchy served as a protectorate for the female sex and the view was that women were "vulnerable" so the vagina was always covered up. As society shifted from patriarchy to the current feminist struggles, feminists gladly accepted the privilege afforded women during patriarchal times. I personally think it is time for body equality and that either men, and boys, need to be covered up and their bodies granted the same respect, or women and girls need to be exposed more so that we have a more equal body politic.