@doboprobodyne @compost_funeral @brucelawson
Laws and social norms based on this kind of thinking contribute to a broader culture of victim-blaming and control over women's autonomy. Instead of teaching and expecting men (and everyone) to behave with respect and self-control, society too often shifts the burden onto women to avoid being seen or "provocative."

@doboprobodyne @compost_funeral @brucelawson
This kind of logic reinforces several troubling ideas:
1. That women's bodies are inherently sexual, even when they're not being presented in a sexual way.
2. That men cannot or will not control themselves, which is insulting to men and infantilisng.
3. That public space is implicitly male by default, and women must modify their behavior to avoid provoking a reaction.

@doboprobodyne @compost_funeral @brucelawson @jebantyk@mastodon.cloud the enforcement of these norms is less about the act itself (a woman being topless) and more about controlling public reaction—especially from men. This essentially punishes women for the potential inability of others to behave appropriately, which is deeply problematic from a gender equality and human rights perspective.

@brucelawson it's bonkers that women topless is considered indecent but men aren't. Yet another example of inequality.

@brucelawson hold on. It illegal for women to be topless in Scotland?