Why is it acceptable to show a mans nipple in public and on television, but not a womans?

Question

Nipples are nipples right? On television, and in public also I guess, you can show a whole breast so long as the nipple is covered. What is it about the female nipple that is so offensive?

Answer 1

It stems from Victorian values (around the time of Queen Victoria's reign in Britain in the late 1800's) where it was a social taboo for a 'proper' lady to show any part of her body, other than her hands and face. Even ankles were frowned upon, and social norms became so bizarre that even table legs were covered with long table cloths so that the gentlemen in the room would not be aroused.

Therefore, some quite sexist values were passed down from that era such that the naked chest of a man was quite acceptable, including the nipples. Unfortunately, these ideas are still with us and women's groups have fought for years to make breast-feeding in public as acceptable as it is in France and other parts of Europe.

Therefore, a lady's nipples are still taboo on mainstream television. A few years ago there was a commercial for a Laboratoire Garnier shower product. The commercial featured a very fast shot of one naked breast, including nipple. The commercial was shown only once. The channel (Channel 4) received 99 complaints from the public and decided not to re-broadcast it.

Answer 2

Can only show 1 woman's breast at a time.

Answer 3

probably because its known to be nude because its on breasts. but really its stupid

Answer 4

good question......hmmm... i have no idea