In mainstream culture, it is a rule that women's nipples must be masked under the tyranny of clothing and hidden from our eyes. Their nipples must only be hinted at through translucent clothing or covered with the hands or hair like children that must not be left unattended. And yet, guy nipples freely parade across our television screens, our magazines, and into our hearts. How can we continue to censor one nipple while we let another nipple run free? Equality must run both ways, and our societal conventions no longer make nipple-sense.

What reasons could we possibly use to justify this double-nipple-standard? We can no longer say that a woman's nipples are more sexualized and therefore warranting cover. It is a well-known fact that a man's nipples are also great erogenous zones, and depictions of strapping young shirtless boys today are just as overtly sexual. Gone is the clear distinction between women being wanted for their body and men for their personality; men are now openly objectified and lusted after as well. Perhaps even doused with water.

Yet, it still can be said that women's nipples are currently more "sexified" than men's nipples. We must realize that it is the standard of hiding women's nipples that has elevated their status in the first place. Censoring women's nipples has made them "forbidden fruit" and therefore more valuable; our double-standard has served to create the distinction, not merely to acknowledge it. If this standard was lifted, so would the heavy sexual burden be lifted that has hung on women's nipples for centuries.

We need a new standard for nipple exposure. No longer can we divide nipples along gender lines. Nipples are nipples, and should be treated equally under the sun. Either men's and women's nipples both need to cover up, or they both should be allowed to display themselves freely. It is our duty as citizens of the United States to promote a world of nipple-fairness and nipple-equality.

What I'm saying is, either N'Sync should start wearing bras, or Britney Spears must pop her top. Make the right choice, people. Thank you for your time.
 
 
 

 Sorry to twist your nipple like that.