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As a former topless model, I feel I have a certain perspective on the Sun's Page 3 topless women issue. When I was 18, I used nude modeling as a way to earn money to support my acting career. Was I thrilled and empowered by my job? Some days and jobs, yes, but the majority of my time was spent consumed by inner conflict about my choice.
Just because an attractive woman decides to pose topless does not mean she's happy about it, although Neil Wallis, former deputy editor of the Sun, points out a model's choice of appearing on Page 3 as a reason why it's ok. That doesn't take into consideration that many times people make bad choices based on a situation or certain pressures or seeing something as the only way out or toward a dream.
If I had had other models of female success presented to me every day as a young woman, I may have seen other possibilities and ways to feel beautiful and admired in the world rather than posing nude.
Wallis goes on to explain that the women who do buy the Sun have no problem with the Page 3 photos. Really? Has he asked them? Just because there are women who buy The Sun does not mean they are happy about having to see photos of topless women every day. Perhaps they have just come to accept this is the way their world is and there's nothing they can do about it.
Also, claiming something should continue because it is an "institution" as Wallis does is a weak argument. It was "tradition" that only men could vote or work outside the home; certainly Wallis doesn't wish for a return to this kind of thinking, does he?
And as for the argument that we would be hurting these Page 3 women by taking away their chance at a nice paycheck and a chance to feel glamorous? Umm, hello! How about instead making Page 3 an opportunity for women to feel glamorous by having their name in print--a daily chance to show off what these women can do not what they look like.
The Sun could have one day each week devoted to showcasing different talents: Monday could be budding journalist day where they highlight an investigative piece by a writer; Tuesday could highlight a visual artist with a photograph or other piece of art, Wednesday could showcase an up and coming entrepreneur; Thursday could be women making a difference; Friday could be college student of the week.
Just think of the new female readers the Sun would attract. And women would have an opportunity to earn money for something that would help them move forward with promising careers.
I'm not saying that porn and cheesecake should be banned, but it should be kept in its proper place, away from impressionable young minds. A daily newspaper that young women view needs to have encouraging and positive role models for women pictured inside.
Let's make finding an open copy of the Sun in a café an inspiring experience for women rather than a disheartening one.
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The Dark Ages of tabloid journalism did not start with Page 3
Imagine the scene - there's a newspaper out there that has always featured a guy in a cringe-makingly unnatural position on page 7 with a wonderfully pert bum hanging out on display. There's a deliberately demeaning caption with it which elicits guffaws from the women (and men who are inclined towards men), reading it. "Look at the buns on THAT", they exclaim to each other. The working class and middle class guys reading the paper can be seen to hastily scan page 2, and quite often miss anything else that's written on Page 3 in their haste to get to the comparative safety of Page 4 and beyond. Some have got so used to ignoring it that they don't even see it any more. Many of the guys have never been comfortable with it, even if in their youth they considered giving it a go themselves as they were a bit insecure at that age and had learned that looks can open doors. There's a petition asking the newspaper to consider change due to the discomfort of many of its male readers. The guys who sign it do not hate women, they just hate the way men are being portrayed in society.
End of reframe.
I must disagree with you on one point: Women don't deserve to be objectified anywhere. Not even on the top shelf. The trouble with saying "let's put it on the top shelf" is that it never stays there.
Both men and women have the right to their sexuality, and pornography is a part of that. It is not only women who are sexualised in this way, and not only men partaking. Nothing wrong there.
Unfortunately, there is a widespread inconsistency with the way society views porn between sexes. This has to absolutely has to change, but banning things is not the way to do it. Call me naïve but I reject the idea that young men and women cannot be educated to recognised these attitudes as warped.
We need people who can enjoy their sexuality, including pornography, while being able to consign the stone age preconceptions of a naked woman to the past. Changing people's perceptions is key; that can't be achieved by just banning things. Let people learn from themselves, and hopefully one day we'll see this rag go bust itself.
It sure is great to have male privilege. You never have to worry about what happens to women or other subhumans.
Proper equality would not dismiss the opinions of women because they're women's opinions, like you do. Mind you, a lot of intelligent men actually don't like page 3 either, so it's not just women's opinion.
Does it make you feel powerful to pick on a group of people lower on the social totem pole than you are?
Why do they think it demeaning to have their bodies on display? Do topless men find it demeaning ? A bit silly, yes, but if someone wants to look at a man's hairy chest, so be it. Big deal.
There is nothing to stop a "successful" woman appearing every day in the Sun on the basis of her other attributes. The reason this doesn't happen is because most find it much less hassle to simply take their clothes off. Instant stardom.
Grow up, girls. I know it's difficult, but you'll have to start sometime.
Anyone who entertains the slightest doubt about how many men hate women and have zero empathy for them, need only read the comments on this post.
Thanks for proving why we need to get rid of Page 3.
Why do you feel able to comment so conclusively without direct experience, and presumably without even being female?
i too like titties but there is a time and a place and the pages of a national newspaper is not the place.
First step is to take away Page 3. It's obvious from this thread that it really hasn't done anything good for anybody.