Why are breasts censored?

[43rdFoot]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but it seems like a philosophical question:

What is so naughty about boobs that they need be censored? This is something that I think is fairly contained within Western and Oriental civilizations; why is it so?

Is there a religious conviction in history that states that God decided that boobs are naughty and you mustn't look at them? What other reason would there be to cover them up like they were the symbols of evil?

[Strelok]

It's just like almost any societal rule, like the middle finger. It just happens that sexually explicit topics (or commonly recognized as sexually explicit, some people have hair fetishes for example but I guess they are more of a minority). I wouldn't say there is any objective reason, it seems that it just is.

[Elfdude]

Sexual arousal. Modesty is a tool designed to encourage sexual deviancy so that more sex happens and thus more children are produced. It's a pretty barbaric concept really and only the aristocracy could really afford the luxury of being modest. As middle classes become successful and dominant they often adopt the ideals of the rich, modesty being one of them. Eventually Victorian progressivism decided modesty was a great concept although the fact it was originally used to encourage sex was conveniently forgotten by history. The poor often abandoned modesty all together if they couldn't afford it, it wasn't until the 20th century that modesty became the requirement in the USA that it is today.

Christian sensibilities also apply here though for most of history poor Christians weren't in a position to care much about the luxury of modesty.

[Jom]

Sexual arousal. Modesty is a tool designed to encourage sexual deviancy so that more sex happens and thus more children are produced. It's a pretty barbaric concept really and only the aristocracy could really afford the luxury of being modest. As middle classes become successful and dominant they often adopt the ideals of the rich, modesty being one of them. Eventually Victorian progressivism decided modesty was a great concept although the fact it was originally used to encourage sex was conveniently forgotten by history. The poor often abandoned modesty all together if they couldn't afford it, it wasn't until the 20th century that modesty became the requirement in the USA that it is today.

Christian sensibilities also apply here though for most of history poor Christians weren't in a position to care much about the luxury of modesty.

Precisely this.

Breasts cause sexual arousal amongst men and lead to feelings of sexual desire. The idea that lust is something to be avoided and even a sin if you are religious has become ingrained into society.

[Phier]

The reason is not important.



People like this is why clothes are important, even for boobies.

[Jom]

The reason is not important.



People like this is why clothes are important, even for boobies.

Couldn't agree more.

[♔DeusVult!♔]

The reason is not important.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

People like this is why clothes are important, even for boobies.

You bastard. Put up a warning before exposing us all next time.

[Armenum]

The reason is not important.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

People like this is why clothes are important, even for boobies.

good one + rep

[Chlodwig I.]

Precisely this.

Breasts cause sexual arousal amongst men and lead to feelings of sexual desire. The idea that lust is something to be avoided and even a sin if you are religious has become ingrained into society.

Well not really because we are trained to think of them in a sexual way.
And that also depends on the situation

In the Sauna or at the Beach there is nothing sexual about being nude, it doesn't cause sexual arousal.
But if the people would dress up into swimming clothes it would cause sexual arousal

[So Much Fire]

Ultimate topic for debate. So it is alright for women to look at a buff man topless to sell Diet Coke to women, but there is no equivalent comercial of men looking at a topless woman to sell the same product.

While on that, we could also ask why they put the same block on Maxim and even a recent issue of Vanity Fair that they put on Playboy or Hustler in magazine stores.

Well not really because we are trained to think of them in a sexual way.
And that also depends on the situation

In the Sauna or at the Beach there is nothing sexual about being nude, it doesn't cause sexual arousal.
But if the people would dress up into swimming clothes it would cause sexual arousal

+1.... if it was more common then it would become like a hand or foot, something that you're used to seeing often enough that it doesn't cause any arousal but just is considered another extremity like the aforementioned.

----

There's also the slight bit about human anatomy where certain breasts are just better left covered for whatever reason, but also the fact that many women are insecure about their bodies (think 1 piece swimsuits at the beach) so it may be that. Also if a woman were to do it, then she's opening herself up to ridicule and criticism from other females for being "too easy".

Not that I agree with the censorship, I find nothing wrong with showing breasts since I was in France as a little kid I remember all the times that breasts were publicly visible in various locations but laws are laws and it doesn't really affect daily life all that much. I do have to admit though it does make the being intimate with a female that much more special because it would be considered an achievement or meaningful to get her to open up that much to me personally so that .... goes back .... to the history point.

Plus biologically speaking seeing the breasts of a potential mate is an aid to dating and reproduction.... breasts are sort of an indicator of how well the female will be able to raise offspring in terms of feeding and nutrition.

[gambit]

There's also the slight bit about human anatomy where certain breasts are just better left covered for whatever reason, but also the fact that many women are insecure about their bodies (think 1 piece swimsuits at the beach) so it may be that. Also if a woman were to do it, then she's opening herself up to ridicule and criticism from other females for being "too easy".

I sincerely doubt that "some women might hurt other womens feelings" has ever been considered a reason for its censorship. In fact, I doubt it's original censorship ever even considered the women themselves.

Plus biologically speaking seeing the breasts of a potential mate is an aid to dating and reproduction.... breasts are sort of an indicator of how well the female will be able to raise offspring in terms of feeding and nutrition.

So how does that mean anything?


Old cultural roots are keeping dying traditions like sexual "modesty" alive. society will move on one day

[Jom]

Well not really because we are trained to think of them in a sexual way.
And that also depends on the situation

In the Sauna or at the Beach there is nothing sexual about being nude, it doesn't cause sexual arousal.
But if the people would dress up into swimming clothes it would cause sexual arousal

We're not trained to think about them in a sexual way by society; our brains are wired in this fashion. The evolutionary reasoning behind breasts is that they indicate to males that the woman is sexually fertile. Breasts are an important part of sexual attraction and this hasn't just been imposed by society.

Ironically, in trying to debunk the idea that they cause sexual arousal by citing society, the very examples you give can be disproved by your societal example: of course if something is the norm in society then it's going to lose some of its significance.

[Mangalore]

We're not trained to think about them in a sexual way by society; our brains are wired in this fashion. The evolutionary reasoning behind breasts is that they indicate to males that the woman is sexually fertile. Breasts are an important part of sexual attraction and this hasn't just been imposed by society.
...

We are wired to think about the other sex in a sexual way, the fact that plenty of indigious tribes don't have their women cover their breasts belies your argument. They obviously do not consider it a problem that everyone is barechested. Fact is a woman can wear pretty much whatever she wants and I, as a guy, will still feel attracted to her if I fancy her. There are plenty of other aspects to the female form other than boobies.

What parts of our bodies are to be covered is solely a cultural development and has more to do with social hierarchies and structure than anything else (only husband and wife to see each other naked, etc.). It's not like alot of supposedly chaste clothing of past centuries was actually "optimizing" the form and shape of the gender (men with broad shoulders, narrow waists, women with typical bellshape or pronouncing the hips and behind)

The reason why we are so affected by bare boobies is because our society teaches us that bare boobies are only shown in private, sexual situations => we take it as a personal message. In societies where it is the norm it is not taken that way so a barechested beautiful women would be still smoking hot but none would think there is personal subtext based on seeing boobs.



So there aren't only supermodels around? Well, look in the mirror. We aren't all George Clooneys either and women could probably do with fewer bearbellys and hairy backs as well.

[Elfdude]

We're not trained to think about them in a sexual way by society; our brains are wired in this fashion. The evolutionary reasoning behind breasts is that they indicate to males that the woman is sexually fertile. Breasts are an important part of sexual attraction and this hasn't just been imposed by society.

Actually yes it has. You don't see nudity sexually arousing in nudist colonies. Modesty is a system invented to drive sexual arousal. If you can't see anything you'll find wrists sexually explicit. There's a reason why it was considered improper at a time for women to show their ankles or wrists. Breasts and the genitals are really the last vestment of this ancient and barbaric practice.

Ironically, in trying to debunk the idea that they cause sexual arousal by citing society, the very examples you give can be disproved by your societal example: of course if something is the norm in society then it's going to lose some of its significance.

The norm for any animal is not to be clothed. These are artifacts produced from our desire to wear clothes, our religious inclinations and our false beliefs that modesty prevents sexual deviancy. These things drive the ideal to cover breasts at all costs. The most recent generation in America has seen a significant decrease in attraction to breasts which could either be due to internet availability or the fact that in the recent few decades you can actually go to a movie and have a good chance of seeings breasts. Funnily enough you can be nude in public if it's a form of political demonstration. Thank you constitution.

[Chlodwig I.]

We're not trained to think about them in a sexual way by society; our brains are wired in this fashion. The evolutionary reasoning behind breasts is that they indicate to males that the woman is sexually fertile. Breasts are an important part of sexual attraction and this hasn't just been imposed by society.

Ironically, in trying to debunk the idea that they cause sexual arousal by citing society, the very examples you give can be disproved by your societal example: of course if something is the norm in society then it's going to lose some of its significance.

True and wrong
If you go to native tribes in south american jungle the people only cover their genitals the female breast isn't covered, because it has nothing sexual about it, it is just there to feed the babies.
As I said at a beach it has nothing sexual, and if it would be genetics and not culture the place wouldn't make a diffrence.

Don't get me wrong it is no question that man are attracted by the female breast
but it is not one size fits all, some people like small breast, some people like DD but
you can say the same about eye and hair colour , hair length, size of the butt, shape of the nose and mouth etc. But thats only preference and depends on what a society/culture labels with "beautifull"

Also the size of the female breast doesn't tell anything about the fertility
because it has no influence on the lactate capacity.

The "hype" about the female breast is a creation of the western society/culture.
If you would make the same hype about the elbow like it is created around the female breast,
a female elbow could create the same "sexual arousal"

Remind me guys to go to the beaches in Germany at summer.

If it is only about top-less you can also go to Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and I think any other wester country at the Mediterranean Sea.

If it is about nude beaches.... well then the German Baltic-Sea Coast would be best
but Everyone is naked at these beaches it is mandatory and there is no age or beauty restriction.

[Atatürk]

Breasts cause sexual arousal amongst men and lead to feelings of sexual desire.

As do a fine pair of legs and a pretty face.

[Shams al-Ma'rifa]

Sexual arousal. Modesty is a tool designed to encourage sexual deviancy so that more sex happens and thus more children are produced. It's a pretty barbaric concept really and only the aristocracy could really afford the luxury of being modest. As middle classes become successful and dominant they often adopt the ideals of the rich, modesty being one of them. Eventually Victorian progressivism decided modesty was a great concept although the fact it was originally used to encourage sex was conveniently forgotten by history. The poor often abandoned modesty all together if they couldn't afford it, it wasn't until the 20th century that modesty became the requirement in the USA that it is today.

Interesting. Could you further explain the evolution of dress and why people decided to wear clothes in the first place because clothes have existed since the beginning of civilization. You're saying people wore clothes to encourage more sex?

[God-Emperor of Mankind]

This topic is on thin ice already.
Stay on topic

[cenkiss]

Freedom for boobs.

[RO Citizen]

Freedom for boobs.

This

Female breasts have been linked with sex since "ancient times". So changing the culture and human nature so drastically now is practically impossible. And it's very good as it is, boobs are sexy and I live in Romania, Europe, where topless is more than legal