#10

Homework #10

First off, I must state that while I do support these laws, I wouldn't walk around NYC topless for reason that needs not to be stated.

Laws prohibiting this were most likely relevant during the time of their creation. .In terms of sexuality and appearance, society was more conservative. Victorian era values were still apparent (they're still vaguely around today).  The law reflected the moral values of the time. Time is a bit strange in that the passing of it correlates with change.

Looking round the bus I am presently riding in, I see two teenage girls wearing matching revealing bikini tops. Another woman who has no business wearing shorts that reveal her thighs is wearing shorts that do such. A group of boys are wearing wife eaters (white undershirts).

Looking at the ads posted along the ceiling, I see an ad for Abercrombie & Fitch featuring a topless man. Right next to it, well there’s ad showcasing the progress of some new train station in Brooklyn. In the newspaper, I was reading there is an Ad of a woman in a bathing suit focusing on how wide her legs are open (apparently a flagship store for a popular brand of clothing is open). The point is that times have changed.

This means that people are no longer as sensitive about public displays of sexuality. It shouldn’t be inferred that all displays of sexuality are acceptable. The people are more open about the subject. These news laws that permit a woman to be topless is a reflection of that.

I must admit there is a fragile peace with this law. I can easily the potential for sexual assaults to become more prevalent. Some men can’t help themselves nor can they keep their hands and other body parts to themselves. If this occurs by all means, there should be action taken to prevent this. Women are being harmed if this occurs.

On the notion of harm, I believe that Mill would agree with me in supporting these laws. No one is being harmed if a woman is walking around topless. People would most certainly be upset (Victorian values) but laws aren’t intended to necessarily prevent most emotional harm. The prevention of emotional harm is a potential consequence of the prevention of physical harm.

Mill would agree that being topless is a form of expression. Like the male who flaunt confidence in their figures when they remove the shirts, women are doing the same. It may be a bit odd at first, since the general population is not adjusted to seeing women in this manner outside of a sexual relationship. I’ve known a decent amount of women who show off their confidence by being topless. There is nothing wrong with it.