Is topless sunbathing 'inappropriate' when children are around?

One mum has caused a huge argument on parenting forum Mumsnet after complaining about women sunbathing topless.

She said it was “inappropriate” for women to display their breasts in front of children on holiday, asking the Mumsnet community if they felt the same.

‘We are on holiday in a family resort in a sunny country,” she wrote on the forum. “There is a lady who keeps ending up on the sun loungers opposite us, who seems to enjoy lying topless by the pool everyday. She has a son who looks about 15, and a daughter who looks about 5.”

“I think it’s really inappropriate to sunbathe topless on a family resort in full view of everyone and right by the toddler pool, and with her own son around. Am I being unreasonable in feeling uncomfortable and wishing she’d cover up?”

Predictably, she caused a massive debate with over 500 people commenting on the topless sunbathing saga.

The majority completely disagreed, even going so far as to call the mum sexist.

“What exactly is offensive about her breasts – are they spouting curse words as people go past? I assume you’re also offended by any topless man around as well?” one person commented.

“Men get their nipples out all the time,” another wrote. If you’re offended by female nipples but not by male nipples you might want to have a think about why that is.”

One woman said the mum needed to congratulate women for sunbathing topless, not tear them down: “I know breasts and female bodies are hugely sexualised and TBH I might look at someone once if they were in the minority (i.e. the only person doing) but it would be more like a “wow, good for you” kind of thing.”

“I could not and would not allow myself to be angry at another woman for sunbathing topless on her holiday that she has presumably paid for and been looking forward to all year.”

Among the criticisms, there were a few people who agreed (although they admitted that they were prudish by nature).

“User I do agree. Although admittedly I might be a bit of a prude. However, yes I do think it’s a little bit inappropriate to sunbathe topless in a family resort,” said one person.

Another said that people needed to recognise the difference between displaying male and female nipples, writing: “I would be annoyed too. Some of us have the presence to know there is a difference between men’s chests and women’s breasts and the sexual arousal associated with them.”

One person did not agree with the sexualisation comment, adding that sunbathing topless in a family resort is probably the safest place to do so.

“It’s probably better to have them out on a family resort. Less likely to be sexualised. I’m sure her kids have seen them before and swimsuits show a lot of bits no one normally sees,” she wrote.

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