More on Topfreedom

Writing for The Huffington Post today, former Playboy "Feminist Playmate" Juliette Fretté weighs in on cultural double standards between the public perception of uncovered male and female breasts.

The Meaning of Breasts


She correctly identifies that the issue is one of socialization:

"How we socialize ourselves to believe certain stigmas are natural and normal. How we forget what breasts are really for. Which leads to the question: why we should punish female breasts and their owners for how men fantasize about them and how society at large perceives them? Not for what they really are?"

"At the same time, there should be nothing wrong with perceiving female breasts (or male breasts) with sexual adoration. But let us also be careful to avoid pigeonholing their entire meaning based on that appreciation. And moreover, if we insist on sexualizing breasts, then we must insist that sexualized body parts be free from double standards. If women's breasts are labeled obscene, then men's breasts should also be labeled as such. And if men's breasts are perfectly acceptable, then those of women should be as well. Consistency is key."

"This may sound completely radical and revolutionary, but if one truly examines how society has unfairly judged this body part, the fact that we ever did it and normalized the practice in the first place seems completely goofy."

I agree, and think that Ms. Fretté is correct to point out the double standard. Though, I'm not sure I understand her brand of "Modern Feminism." She seems more comfortable selling images of her own breasts in Playboy, than she would be exercising the public topfreedom rights she seems to be advocating:

"So what about legalizing the exposure of women's breasts? If men can do it, so should we, as crazy as that sounds. Yet even as a Playboy Playmate, I would be uncomfortable walking down the street exposed under such a liberal ruling in favor of women's bodies. But why? Perhaps it would not be the exposure as much as the context and response I am conditioned to expect from society for such an action."

Interestingly, she seems unaware that, in at least some States, women are free to be shirtless anywhere that men may be, and that some brave women are exercising that right in order to change public perception and begin the process of re-socialization toward a more gender-equal acceptance of that freedom.

(See my previous post about the Women's Topfreedom March in Maine)