Hmm. Interesting one, does give one food for thought.
I noticed when we were in the UK in June, how every guy almost was shirtless (already), and it was shocking. Earlier today, I saw a shirtless guy here in Bucharest, as temperatures are pretty high, and was surprised (And a little apprehensive). It's quite rare here.
Personally, I don't mind (as long as the guy isn't drunk or high or bothersome in some way), but I do see your point about sexism. I was in a half-open hawaiian shirt (over swimsuit bikini) yesterday, and was quite aware how that might come across as skimpy or something. Even though the temps were soaring, and I wasn't being indecent. Very different standards between sexes, not ones I'm comfortable with, though I don't think stopping men from being barechested would go far.
It would create resentment for one. And it's how we've wired our society to view things -- a male's chest is not threatening/obscene/whatever, while a woman's is. Obviously BS, but I think the rewiring needed to create equality on this count would be massive, and go deeper than simply having both genders/ neither gender walking around half-naked.
Oh, it's the norm here in the UK.
Yeah, like the resentment that I have? Sounds good!
That's not a bad take.
Yes, you are right about the rewiring, and changes would not happen overnight or quickly.
However, I think eye-openers are effective to an extent and can highlight the need for changes or even just a niggle...
Scenario: I'm sitting with a group of guys at the park and they complain about how hot it is, remove their shirts, and gasped "Ooh, that's much better." Yet I'm sitting there like a stooge with 2 layers... I guess I'm a feminist, or too rebellious and will do what I need to do to highlight my point.🤷♀
Good point. Although if you look at (some) women's summer clothing, the fabric is much lighter than men's, precisely to accommodate this difference of perception (since men would likely perceive it as provocative/lewd if a woman took her top off).
Well said. I agree. Maybe an organized movement (rather than one lone woman taking her top off) could help raise some awareness, force the topic into discussion.
YES! And I'd be happy to lead one!
Me going out there and taking my top off would be just a freak show that would land me in trouble.
"Vox populi" though, is a different matter.
This was just a random rattling of my thoughts, and when writing it I realised that I'm passionate enough about it to find out the steps that it would take to lobby for such...