Saoirse talks about an issue that bothers her as a young woman who has just tried Naturism for the first time.
Over the past couple months, I’ve been on a bit of a journey discovering Naturism.
I didn’t go into this expecting some life-changing moment. I was just curious. I knew a bit about it, had seen the odd thing online, and then I gave it a go.
For me, it meant the chance to meet some cool new people who might share my views on the world, and doing that in a safe and comfortable environment (whilst getting rid of some tan lines along the way). For others I know it can be a lot deeper. I’ve often heard stories from people who used to have serious problems with body image, and Naturism became a way for them to resolve those issues. After all, it’s not like we tend to be confronted with the most realistic images of naked humans online.
But here’s the thing: for me, body image hasn’t really been a big issue. I’ve always felt pretty comfortable in my own skin. So while Naturism helped me see what other people go through, it also brought something else into focus for me, something I do feel strongly about.
Nipples.
I still fail to see why women being shirtless should be treated differently to men doing so. No one sees a problem with a man being shirtless: at the beach, at the pool, at the gym, even on the street…
Society has done a lot for gender equality in the past few centuries, and a lot is being done even now to improve women’s rights. Except in this regard. I don’t tend to see this being discussed as often as it should.
We all have nipples. But society has decided that mine are a problem. Why?
And here’s the wild part - my nipples can actually serve a real biological purpose. They’re there for the purpose of feeding children, should I choose to have them. But men’s nipples don’t serve any purpose, they’re just a remnant of early embryonic development. Considering that they’re completely impractical, one might argue they’re more sexual. Now I’m not advocating for anyone to have to cover their chests (obviously), but it shouldn’t be okay one way and not the other.
It’s even worse on social media. At least in the UK, nudity is technically legal (it being socially accepted is another matter). But online, even a glimpse of my areola would get me banned from most networks. Meanwhile, if a man wanted to post a shirtless photo, nothing would stop him.
And breastfeeding? Even more absurd. That’s nipples doing what they evolved to do. It’s just that. Even though platforms say they allow breastfeeding photos, I doubt the algorithms can tell the difference.
It’s a double standard and it’s ridiculous. We should’ve moved past this as a society by now.
Yes, gender equality has come far from where it used to be. But there are still differences… and the fact that I can’t be topless in the same places a man can?
That’s still inequality.
Naturism really opened my eyes to it. After my first event, on the drive home, we stopped for petrol and I half-joked about walking into the service station without my top on. I laughed about it, but realised it couldn’t happen.
Not because I felt uncomfortable — I’d just spent three days completely naked around other people and felt entirely relaxed. Not because I thought I might be arrested. But because it might cause a scene. And who knows what could happen.
That moment stuck with me.
Naturism showed me how much better things could be. I was naked for days and not once did anyone make a weird comment, stare at my chest, or act inappropriate. In fact, I felt more respected than I sometimes do when I’m fully dressed in the outside world.
That contrast hit hard.
The respect and acceptance I felt in Naturism really highlighted how far we still have to go in other parts of society.
And so here I am — 21 years old, figuring it all out, and just asking for something that seems pretty basic.
I want to be able to be myself. To dress how I want, to express myself however I feel, and not have my body treated like something scandalous just because I’m female.
Is that really too much to ask?
Saoirse
You can hear more from Saoirse and why she is doing what she is doing on TheNakedTruth.
-
43
-
2
