Do you think women should be allowed to bare breasts in public?
Updated | By Jane Linley-Thomas
A female 'flashing' her breasts in public is a criminal offence in South Africa, and we want to know your thoughts on the rule.
Exposing the female breast is seen as a sexual offence in South Africa, except in the case of cultural purposes.
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According to the Criminal Law (Sexual offenses and Related Matters) Amendment Act:
A person (‘‘A’’) who unlawfully and intentionally, whether for the sexual gratification of A or of a third person (‘‘C’’) or not, exposes or displays or causes the exposure or display of the genital organs, an*s or female breasts of A or C to a complainant 18 years or older (‘‘B’’), without the consent of B, is guilty of the offence of exposing or displaying or causing the exposure or display of genital organs, an*s or female breasts to a person 18 years or older.- CRIMINAL LAW (SEXUAL OFFENCES AND RELATED MATTERS) AMENDMENT ACT
This discussion has been going on forever and a day. Just the other day a friend asked if I still bath with my boys. I was so taken aback. Yes, of course, they are seven and five!
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As a family we have never been one to cover-up at home, but maybe once they get older it will change.
Now the discussion is focused on how much is too much when it comes to you exposing yourself on social media. Facebook and Instagram has come under fire by females about the double standard set for male and female nipples. The rules state that photos of female nipples are not okay, but photos of post mastectomy scarring, breastfeeding, or nudity are a safe zone.
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These rules have created a movement on social media called #FreeTheNipple.
A post shared by Feminist (@this_girl_has_rights) on
It's the same as the boob issue. For me, I would not choose to bare my boobs in public even when breastfeeding - it wasn't my thing.
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A W24 article states, "the real problem seems to be the double standard between male and female nipples and how women’s breasts are still sexualised even when as mammary glands, their main function is to produce milk during lactation."
So the big question I have for you is do you think the female nipple should be kept away from the public eye?
Leave your comments below.
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