For those saying the female nipple is kept covered because it is an erogenous body part and can be sexually stimulated, keep in mind that the same goes for men's nipples. Whether or not they enjoy it is their personal preference, but men's nipples are able to be sexually stimulated as well.

Or how about how it's perfectly fine for a woman to appear in public (in the proper context) in a super revealing swimsuit or bikini but if that SAME WOMAN appeared in the SAME PLACE in her underwear that actually covers more skin than the swimsuit, people will freak the hell out? I never understood that. It's not about how much skin is showing but the perception of underwear as something "naughty" and private that shouldn't be seen by others.

The time I was nipple shamed, mine weren't even actually visible. The mere suggestion of them through my shirt was enough to freak someone out. I'm petite (5'3" 105lbs) and and it would be generous to say I have A cup breasts, so I often just skip a real bra and wear an undershirt of some sort. One day at work a coworker asked if she could speak with me privately. She proceeded to tell me how she was upset and concerned that she could see nipple bumps through my shirt. Her reasons for my needing a bra included men being turned off by the sight of it, nipples being inappropriate for children, and concern for my health among several others. In the moment I was so shocked that the conversation was even happening that all I could manage was to tell her that the whole thing was entirely inappropriate and really none of her business. Thankfully, it never came up again.

If you think nipple is a bad word you should hear the Danish word for it! "Brystvorte" literally translates into breast-wart, like witches have warts on their noses :/ Needless to say, I prefer the english word when talking about them and luckily Danish is such a foreign word friendly language that it is not a problem to do so :)

It's interesting, that in ancient Crete common woman's dress included a tight camisole which exposed the entire breast. So there definitely was no nipple taboo.

I've always been accused of trying to get male attention because I dont wear bras and my nipples constantly appear erect. I just don't like bras and honestly don't care if they show through my clothes. After getting them pierced, more attention has been brought to them. Even strangers pointing them out in the streets like "hey I like your piercings" or "Ayye she got her nipples pierced." God I hate people.

Actually in Early Greek society the Helenistic Women ( They didn't call themselves Greeks ) often wore a garment that looked like a dress but started just below the breast. This was especially true in the South and various Island groups where the calm Mediterranean weather made this more practical. Egyptian women are sometimes seen in a similar garment.

Clothed people examine each other conventionally which includes taking notice of breasts. I imagine there'd be an initial uproar of debate, but if a majority of women were to go topless it would be normalized. Swimwear would be cheaper. Course, there is a subpopulation of women who go visibly braless. No matter there reason I don't feel it's something to point out or take advantage of. I suppose it boils down to freedom of expression and the fear of what it means to be human or being wrong about that meaning. Maybe there should be a national holiday for positive breast appreciation?

One thing I find interesting is the "standards" female nipples are often held to... I've seen so many women shamed for areolae that are too large or dark, or nipples that are too big, or nipples that aren't symmetrical. It seems like it goes past preference - it seems like people are determined to shame females, even for something so inconsequential! I can't count the number of times I've heard jokes about them in films or TV, or the amount of women who want surgery to fix them (which is obviously their choice but I hate them feeling like they're obligated to, you know)

Wooo! Thanks for the shout out girl

I think we're already moving past the "nipple naughtiness", actually, if even just a little bit. Several female celebrities have been seen wearing see through tops, clearly showing their nipples, and it hasn't been seen as "scandalous" as much as just "provocative"

I can't watch enough of your videos! So glad I've found you, great job!

Speaking as an historian, I think it might make sense, for further perspective on the issue, to look at the way this taboo has fluctuated. There were several periods in 18th century France, for example, when showing nipples, either in a fashion context or in relation with breast-feeding was considered perfectly acceptable and even glorified in the latter case by everyone from artists to moralists and politicians.

Suspect it has something to do with patriarchal society and the concept of "woman as property" - men didn't want "their" women showing parts associated with sexuality..

I like how this channel isn't boring and is interesting.

As infuriating as the double standard for chest covering is to me, what bother me more about the taboo of nipples in western culture is the fact that nipples in the context of breast feeding are considered indecent by many people. The act of feeding an infant is not sexual and people who object to women breast feeding in public boggle my mind. I've said it before, the right of an infant to be fed comfortably outweighs the right of an adult to have their world go exactly how they prefer.

It's about time we started challenging the nipple taboo. How I choose to present myself to the world is my business and to suggest anything otherwise is to suggest that a woman doesn't have full ownership of her own body. There are times when not having to wear a shirt outside would be a godsend. Topless gardening here I come! My own question is about another double standard: How is it acceptable for salons to charge a different price for a "woman's cut" vs. a man's? I have very short hair that takes about ten minutes to cut, yet often I'm left paying around $10 more than a man with the same length because I'm a woman. How is this fair?!

How did pusillanimous (pussy) transform from it's definition to meaning a cat to a vagina (or the other way around). I know it still means the same thing (weak), but if someone calls someone a "pussy", it seems to be the same as saying "don't be such a girl" (aka weak) instead of just "weak".

I admit I see a disservice to fashion in girls feeling too insecure to wear dresses that might look wonderful on them, but refuse to because they would get harassed if a nipple ever showed and a bra would just ruin the look. This is just one of the more minor issues, but you can see how the obstacles just keep rolling from there. I've always felt completely fine if I noticed a nipple, and I love seeing girls look good. So why not just accept that sometimes you might see a nipple so that girls can continue to wear fantastic outfits in public? Not to mention the money they could save for not feeling so pressured to *always wear a bra at all times*.

Hi Kristen! Intresting video as always. I just thought of something. Why do many women pluck their eyebrows? Is it just a fashion statment? I have never plucked my eyebrows scene I do not care about it. I would like know the history behind it. It would be great to hear your thoughts about it :)

As a guy? I can't say I'm crazy about mine. I won't wear shirts or tshirts where they're obvious, and I generally don't go around shirtless unless I'm at the beach or pool. I'll wear undershirts to keep them covered or less obtrusive. Grantee, I am overweight, so its not like I'm running around like Terry Crews' body. And that might be the key there - I hide my weight well, except for that!

What up, Cristen? I was just curious if perhaps you would do a etymological video on the phrase "I'd tap that.".. just puttin' it out there! Keep it up :)

Female nipples are detachable??? I learn so much from this channel. Thanks Cristen!

Laser nips, = awesome super power

I think the reason they are taboo is that laser thing you mentioned. I'm pretty sure my vision has improved because of fortunate nipple lasik. I was just walking along and BAM, flashed. Next thing I knew I could see in ultraviolet if I wished.

Thanks Kristen for discussing this topic! I have always had a love-hate relationship with nipples. On the one hand I find them completely empowering for their life-giving properties. On the other hand I find it strange that the same thing that gives our offspring life and nutrition is so sexual and can be used to arouse the female body. I hope I'm not the only one with this tension when they think about their nipples.

There are plenty of societies out there that don't objectify the female nipple. I'd say it's entirely possible, just like it's possible to stop objectifying women in general. People are people, and should have a right to feel comfortable and safe in their own bodies, no matter what sex or gender they are.

I think the stigma on the entire naked body needs to go. The fact that so many people get so worked up about seeing nipples or penises for no other reason than we've been taught to either be sexually aroused or disgusted, given the situation. Clothing is obviously neccesary for lots of practical situations, but when it's being used to hide your body from insecurities fashioned by our culture, or needing to prevent it from being mocked by people? To me, that's not mentally healthy at all.

Oh my word, you pronounced my last name correctly. No one ever manages to do that. 10/10!

Cristen! You don't have to try to be cool because in my opinion you are the coolest!!! I hope you have a grreeeaaat weekend!

Wouldn't it be great if we could stop wearing clothes all together? If it's cold, or you're welding or something then sure, wear protective clothing. But for every day situations? Only tradition is keeping us dressed. And without the fashion industry we'd already be over clothes.

It's interesting that you bring up how long this custom has been around, and yet some of the most valuable and revered art has women showing their nipples, and sometimes at least part of their vulvas. Not to mention all the penises! Could you do an episode about how the western world views - and has previously viewed - nudity in art?

My 5 year old son taught me a huge lesson. Living in Iceland we were subjected to their television programming, nudity. When we got back to the states my son was almost 6. He met some friends and they were all excited about seeing something at one of the house. About 10 minutes later my son comes in the door all mad. I asked him what was the all the excitement about. His reply was all they were doing was looking at naked girls in a magazine. He didn't give a crap about seeing a naked female, he saw plenty on tv.

I can sympathize, but honestly, this is so deeply ingrained into me that I just don't think I could ever accept that kind of shift. But, for the record, I'm not a huge fan of dudes going topless just because they can. A *little* modesty wouldn't hurt.

We had Powderpuff earlier this week. Of course, some of the guys like to go shirtless. One of the guys asked the teacher running it if he could just wear suspenders. The teacher said as long as his nipples. Well, then one of the juniors were walking around shirtless and it really didn't matter but it was still on of those things that we're like, "That's one of the weirdest rules ever."

Ahh this video was amazing! I would just like to add some extra info of it dating back to Ancient Greece. That was true of many city states, with the exception of the Spartans (of course), as woman often wore a garment that revealed one breast. But of course, as the other ancient Greeks covered themselves, this is how the Spartan woman got their scandalous reputation in the ancient sources :)

I noticed that this also expanded into the bra types we apparently should wear. When I was a teenager, I kept hearing from my peers that we should wear padded bras, as other bras possibly showed off your nipples. Even if you had inverted nipples which refused to poke out no matter the situation, you should wear a padded bra as the shape of your natural boob already gives away too much hints of the nipple.

I am from Europe and being topless at the beach is not considered taboo, how did this start and why did this change not happen in other countries?

I think it's silly. If I was a woman I sure as hell wouldn't want to have to worry about such things and if I ever have children I wouldn't want my daughters to have to worry about it.

I once caught a glips of a nipple now I need to wear glasses....

I'm too embarrassed to give any constructive feedback or comment about this.

I do want to mention that there was an episode of Star Trek where a man was wearing a toga and they decided to use makeup to cover up his exposed nipple. So back then even the male nipple was somewhat of a taboo, though not nearly as much as the female version.

I remember seeing in movies set in time periods maybe 100 years ago or more, where it was somewhat immodest for even a man to be seen with his shirt off. He might even shy away from view or cover up if a lady walked in the room when he was dressing.

I think this is a particularly American phenomenon. Australians and Kiwis aren't phased by it. Europeans aren't bothered. Even Brits can even take it or leave it and of course babies are wild about it unless their mothers have a thing about eating garlic of green vegetables.

During Pride in SF many women walk around with no shirts on and it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. However, I was raised to be super modest and being naked makes me anxious even in private so I would never be able to go out in public naked, in a bikini, or even without a bra! Maybe as time goes on my families influence will fade but I think that while I was lucky by the time I started seeing naked people I was over being told how to feel about it and I like seeing women have equal topless rights. Unfortunately others are not so lucky, and they are heavily influenced by how they were taught to feel about nudity (probably even for both genders).

In Canada Ontario women fought years ago to be legally topless. It passed as a law and so did the hype.

I'm getting a sternum tattoo sometime in the next few years and my boyfriend said he's gonna hate it when that happens because my tattoo artist might catch a glimpse. Still getting it though.

The only way to move past it is to put them out there. We need exposure so there can be more conversations and an opening up about it.

I'm Holding out for your clip on Squirting LMFAO

I recall discussing cultural mores with my 9th Graders. They suggested many cultural incongruities. Then one girl said '"what with bathing tops for women?" She further noted she had been at a summer pool party where several boys needed the tops much more than many of young women...She called them "man boobs"

Nipple laser is the best explanation. There's some Lovecraftian superpower right there... It will induce madness, paranoia and bloodlust when gazed upon by humans... Therefore bras serve as the thin separation which keeps our sanity intact... But, how long would it last before Nipthulhu rises?

This is gender inequality males are not censored

I loled at the title

hi cristen was just wondering where the need of having the "thigh gap" came from? it has always been a wander of mine since in the early 20th century it was more attractive to have curves and no thigh gap.

Very interesting a always relevant discussion. Esp. since there is a "go topless" movement that has an annual "Go topless Day" in several cities in the US. Unfortunately, there is a difference between men and women here, in the US (Not so much in south France, Australia, and several African nations), where a woman being topless can be arrested or even worse due to moral issues. Now we have the rising popularity of public breast feeding by women - where not only is it sanctioned, but men are supposed to turn their heads away when it happens. But I think the main reason why showing nipples are a no-no is because of men, not because of women.

i think it has alot to do with projected shame and peoples own insecurities about sexuality ,religion ,straying eyes and peoples own body insecurities its a mine field.

I love nipples. "Well on feminine people "" Well I love everything feminine " I know this is 7yrs old so no one will see it.

another stupid thing about nipples is they are perfectly fine being uncovered on female babies or toddlers but as the girls grow we have to teach them that showing nipples is rude and you cant do it anymore......the amount of tears and confusion from my girls about this was heart breaking, but I had to do it because of the society we live in. its extremely frustrating.

Why is our own spit so gross to us when it's outside of our mouths? Like if I spit in my own food, I can't eat it because I get grossed out.

I heard that in some countries even men aren't allowed going topless.

I've always wondered why it is okay in some cultures to kiss family on the lips and in others its seen as something weird. I personally find it really weird but I see families constantly doing it and they obviously think its pretty normal.

Cristen, you are cool!

The only shaming that I have ever had was the comment that my nipples were small... Never really been self concious about them, but apparently they are itsy bitsy teenie weenie.

I don't see why not. I mean, plenty of women in various tribes around the world never cover their nipples, and go completely topless. So I don't see why it couldn't ever be a totally natural thing.

How was it that in the 80s and 90s in many parts of Europe and elsewhere, topless sunbathing was commonly seen but it has declined since then? In the 70s and 80s going braless was routine and you would often see the outline of the nipples and/or the colour of aureolas through clothing. I think that most people have not stopped to think about how illogical it is to have such a strong taboo against seeing nipples.

LAZER NIPS! hell yeah LOL

I always saw the nipple thing to be similar to pubic hair in japan, society choosing random symbols for naughty.

I don't know any female that likes or gets turned on by getting her breasts and/ or nipples stimulated. Myself included. I HATE people teaching other people that breasts are sexual.

Yes , I am a man , and I have been nipple shamed , by my sister . She's a somewhat conservative Holiness Christian though . So that has something to do with it I think . Puritanical / Victorian standards and all that .

dude, I AM A BADASS !

Well, from the perspective of a trans guy, nipples are p confusing bc we've always been taught to hide them & that they're terrible things, but if we have top surgery then all of a sudden our nips are okay? I've had people say "it would be weird to see you shirtless, even after top surgery". Like, it's so strange

I was an 'early bloomer' and I was one of the first girls to actually start wearing a bra. In 6th grade, girls started to spread rumors that I stuffed my bra and all that shit. I was eventually able to get them to stop. Now, for the most part, I still have relatively larger breasts then most of the girls at school, but they ignore me.

This isn't just an issue for women. I've had several females approach me with comments like "Hey, your hibeams are on", "Pokies", "Why are your nipples always hard". My favorite (he says sarcastically) was having a woman, I'm guessing as a flirtation, walk up to me and flick my nipples. It was awkward and kind of a turn off.

Same as many other things women are made to do or not do or what have you, power and control.

I was in Chicago last year and lots of women were braless. Here in France toplessness is Ok at the beach and speedos are mandatory for men in public pools. As an aside on Eastern culture, Japanese anime often depicts nude breasts without nipples and it is creepy. A thousand times worse than nudity. Like in movies where someone loses a finger.

I think if I'd of grown up, well I guess really young, a lot of girls went topless, but if it had continued, I'm sure it'd be totally normal for me, but I feel I've been conditioned to revere that part, much the same way men did at one point with the ankle and leg, now it's totally normal

holy areolas

It’s all about power.

funny here in Toronto Canada it is not against the law for a woman to go topless few have tried but most are still to shy

From an anthropological point of view, women started covering their body parts that are linked to reproduction so that men would not sexualize them, especially useful when already having a baby that required all their attention, therefore showing unavailability. This is happening with the genital area too. However, it would be interesting to research how revealing different amounts of the breasts influences the view on a woman.

I'd like some consistency in portrayal. Miley Cyrus pasties are OK to post a photo of on Facebook, but a breast feeding photo where NO breast tissue is visible gets yanked. Huh?

Speaking as a historian...there were several cultures with exposed bosoms...Minoans of Crete as an example. How about all the anthropological photos of National Geographic? Then a topic you didn't touch...Women in Western Culture who want to nurse in public places? Even a woman is covering the baby & breast with a blanket so many people just blow a fuse because the might see a nipple.... I agree with your hope that over time things might improve but some how I doubt it due to such deep/long lasting taboos....

I think topless / naked nipples are taboo because people refuse to learn that it is just a simple area of the body like any other just with a diffrent function then the others (which actually every part of your body has a diffrent function from every other well not all but most you get the idea) so infact its a taboo because people refuse to forget the taboo. whatever the orignal cause may have been it only stayed because people refused to let it go.

Men that treasure you? Are jealous that you show your pearls to the public. Something about sharing only to your one and only. My third grade educashion

Cristin, ur forgetting the ancient egyptians. Look at any art of women back then and most of it will be with their breasts exposed. The common fashion was for their dress to come up to just under the breasts. And they were around for a long time when the Greeks and their conservative dress came around.

i am particular upset because when i was a kid it was perfectly for women to go topless at the local swimming pool.(like when i was 5 - 20 years ago) but until i hit puberty it was not common anymore -.-

Personally I don't think it's a big deal if a woman's nipple slips out in public because mine do it all the time when I wear tank tops, haha! But seriously, there's no real big difference between a man's nipple and a woman's nipple, other than the fact that women can feed infants from them, but other than that they're all pretty much the same.

I assume the term "queer" is more offensive than "gay" or "homosexual". "Queer" sounds like you're trying to apply feminine traits to them. A lot of gay men don't even want to be women, they're happy being men. They just love other men. It's a simple concept. Some people think that most gay men wish they were born a woman but a lot of gay men enjoy being masculine, look at gay "bears", they love being husky and hairy and muscular.

I just like your face!

My ex had inverted nipples...bib buzzkill as thought i was missing something

US vs EU LOL. Nipples aren't a thing here. Even breasts are less of a taboo.

As a brief side note. The creator of Star Trek Gene Roddenberry talked about TV censorship. He could expose the "top" of a bosom right to the nipple & that would be approved. Show even a hint of the "under" bosom & the Censor would scream foul & require a re-shoot without the offending "Southern Exposure ". Go Figure....

I just hate the WORD. Something about typing it or saying it just drives me up a wall, but it's because it sounds silly, not sexual. Otherwise, I don't care if I see a nipple or not. I don't even notice in pictures if someone's slipped unless it's pointed out to me.

Hm, I think it's absolutely cultural. A lot of african and american tribes don't see nipples (or full nudity for the matter), as anything less than normal. If I'm not mistaken, some asian cultures before the 1900s also didn't, but after the western influences which came post-war, nudity "became" a lot more of a taboo. And this taboo won't go away anytime soon, in my opinion, but if we start addressing it on a cultural and political level (which we are doing already with protests and artistic performances), it will slowly change.

It's weird though that nipples can be erogenous zones for both genders, but only women have to cover them up. I think it also has to do with how stuff is shaped - there's a lot of variety in the shape of breasts, and some might be considered less attractive than others. No one want people to think their erogenous zones are ugly. Guys breasts look approximately the same, with weight being a determining factor - there isn't usually much to say about the shape.

Like she said, this is kind of exclusive to Western countries. Therefore, the simplest answer is fucking Christianity. THE END

Ould it be a nipple can give away ones state of arousal, as to why they are covered, ie the dreaded pokies on a cold day?

People are attracted to things that are hard to come by. If we were to grow up in a culture where women's face was completely covered up but exposing breasts was a socially well accepted norm den I think face wud have a more sexual association and breasts wud be well just any odr body part wich is attractive but not as much as it in contemporary context.

CAUSE BANANA!

"Is it possible to remove the female nipple from female objectification?" Is it possible to remove the male penis from male objectification? That said, I don't think nudity should ever be considered a shameful act. There's nothing bad or evil about the human body, female, male or otherwise. Culturally, in the U.S., I think our objections to nudity in all it's forms stems far more from our Christian roots than it does from ancient practices or western culture. Hell Europe is derived from the same culture and they have far less issues with nudity than we do.