I think it has for me. I realise now that female nipples are no different to my own, the only difference is that they sit on top of a mass of breast tissue.

And since we are allowed to see breast tissue in public, why is there any need to cover up the nipple, which is common to both sexes?

It doesn't make any sense.

The end result is that i no longer want to see women's breasts as much as I used to. I still enjoy touching them, but I don't really care if i see boobs in movies anymore.

[ifst5]

I don't know how i feel about this whole campaign to be honest. I mean breasts etc. DO serve a sexual purpose, why must another purpose override this one? Do i want to see breasts in public? Not particularly; i'm not a prude nor do i have any issue with the human body but as more of our private lives are exposed and paraded about i think some things must surely remain for ourselves? The problem is that these sorts of issues are not always backed by the same agendas and it gets a little tiring that those who aren't comfortable with something (for whatever reason) have to take a back seat because other peoples rights outweigh their own.

I believe in fairness. Do these sorts of campaigns promote that? I'm not sure. But that's just my opinion.

I don't want a gender politics discussion here, just wondering if boobs have been demystified for you as a result.

It doesn't make sense that women can't show their nipples if you think about it. The only part they are not allowed to show is the one part of the breast that is identical to men's. The nipple.

I guess it makes a difference if it is mounted on some pubescent growth.

[ifst5]

You have to expect varying opinions to your own. I wasn't trying to initiate a discussion on gender politics. I said no and then explained why. Breasts serve more than one purpose and one of those is sexual yet for some reason that doesn't seem to be allowed. I don't know, for me it seems like a backwards joke - 'we're ok for nipples so long as it serves OUR purpose and screw and anyone else.' Yes people are entitled to do whatever they want but if making other people uncomfortable is the trade off then that personally is not something id be happy to do *shrugs.*

[StillIRise]

Um, personally I don't believe boobs have a sexual purpose - they are there to feed babies, end of. We may have objectified them in our culture but in others, they are simply not seen as sexual.

Anyway, that doesn't answer your question at all, sorry - I'm not aware of this campaign.

[ChipperMonkey]

Originally Posted by StillIRise

Um, personally I don't believe boobs have a sexual purpose

Really?!? You have NO idea what you're missing out on! I think I'll leave it at that.

[Terabithia]

I have to agree with you there Chipper

I was just imagining all men walking around naked. Seeing their peckers all day would not de-sexualize them to me, but I may not want to look at them, because I don't want to imagine having sex with them!

[norwegianwoman]

Well, there is the problem, Terabithia - you indirectly compare a woman's breasts to a man's "peckers", or genitalia if you wish.

The sexualizing of the nipple, good as it might be for a lot of people in bed, brings with it a whole lot of bad things. Such as the hysteric focus on "nip slips" or whether or not nipples are visible through clothes. It just makes me even more self-aware, for instance if I am out in cold weather or if I am doing my run, I suddenly start fearing my nipples are visible through my clothes because of the temperature change. Is it one more look-related thing for women to worry about and I am fed up.

And even though breats have a sexual meaning to you, doesn't mean they shouldn't be "natural" - any woman who has swum without a bikini top, alone or with others, know how liberating it can feel. Most women take off their bra when going to sleep, some even do it the moment they get home (I know several) because they find it so uncomfortable. It is awful that society makes the nipple so scandalous and mysterious all at once. Personally I think breast feeding in public is completely normal, and I don't really see what the fuzz is about when people react to it, but I don't have a need to walk around flashing my nipples all the time. I just think it's another way to scandalize/shame women's bodies if such a natural thing as feeding your baby, a beautiful act, nurturting life, should be something hidden.

No. I love boobs.

[Terabithia]

sorry, Norwegian woman, for offending.

It's just social conditioning. There are cultures where women walk topless and men barely even stare. It's just in western society breasts are hyped up as this major sexual thing when really the only difference between breasts and pecks is that breasts have more fat and the nipples are larger. Oh yeah and milk comes out of them.

[StillIRise]

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

Really?!? You have NO idea what you're missing out on! I think I'll leave it at that.

Not missing out on much I don't think. I gained a huge amount from realising they aren't sexual objects and that feeding my babies was what they are for, THAT was liberating!

[lostwonder]

Breasts are secondary sex characteristics. Men also have some secondary sex characteristics. Their Adam's Apple and their facial hair. Breasts are not the same as a penis.

[Grey Matter]

Breasts are seen as sexual because they involve tissues the engorge with blood when aroused. And because that's how society taught us to see them. But, The same thing happens with men as men also have breast tissue. So of course they feel enjoyable during sex. Other zones are the mouth, ears, scalp, neck, arms, armpits, feet and toes.

[ifst5]

Deleted as ill only be making the same point for the third time