@Apparently_Im_The_Grumpy_One calls it “parading the nipples”. I think that says more about him than it does about society. (American society in particular).
In most other western countries, toplessness isn’t a big deal, especially on the beach. Australia, new Zealand, Greece, Italy, Germany, France – most educated countries accept (and even embrace) topless and nipples as adults. At a beach, it’s perfectly normal for women to be topless – it is somewhat unusual for chests to be covered. I have been to the East coast of Australia where (my guess) 75% of women were topless. It was normal.
* So the real question is – why are Americans so out of the mainstream? *
Like so many other things, blame religious pressure.
I am completely pro-choice on this matter. If a woman wants to go topless, it ought to be her choice. If she doesn’t, also her choice.
And then there is the old, tired argument about “what about the children?”. Fact is that the only reason kids are interested in boobs is because they are covered and considered “special” . if they were used to seeing them, they would no longer be special.
Yes, I’m in favor of the movement.