Swimsuit Pressure: Girls vs. Boys: Your Opinion

very interesting point. Although my boyfriend always wears his t-shirt at the beach. He has a very skinny torso (one of those odd concave ones- although I think its cute) and he is pale so he likes to keep covered.

I think men are just as self-conscious but only women get scrutinized for baring too much in public.

My husband is very self-conscious about his beach body. He used to refuse to wear shorts, even, because he hated his legs so much. I may be slightly biased, but he is smokin' hot, nothing to hide -- and he is more self-conscious than me.

I have never in my life worn a bikini, and I really never plan on it because that's just me -- hardcore prude. But I think that if someone is confident enough to wear one, go ahead. I might be grossed out by someone's rolls, but to each their own!!

I will say I don't like little girls in bikinis. Ummmm.... hi.... they have no boobs, what are you trying to cover with those tiny triangles?? Just let 'em go topless!! A bikini is definitely an article of clothing that accentuates sexuality and gender. This old-school gal doesn't approve of toddlers flaunting them.

Same here, very self conscious of my belly and try to avoid going shirtless at all costs.. Going to the local public pool has always been a nightmare, which is sad because I've recently started goin with my daughter and she loves it.

i don't wear a shirt, but I am self conscience about it. I only need to drop about 10 lbs but feel like I should be covered up.

I think that women are harder on themselves and on each other than men are, in general. I also think that the standard of beauty in our country is ridiculous and near impossible to achieve. People should just be healthy, whatever their size.

. There are swimsuits that NO ONE should wear, in my opinion. (speedos for men, thongs for women)

Reminds me of a cartoon I saw once...

http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/buxtehudeoma/CARTOONS/?action=view&current=cartoldbeach.jpg&sort=ascending


I can't speak for all men of course, but my man doesn't like to go around shirtless because he says he doesn't want anyone to see his gut and flabby chest.

I'm a guy and I'm def self-concious, but my wife (who has an amazing body) is more so. While us guys may be worried about it (some more than others), I think women have it worse. For instance, I decided to lose weight because I was becoming the typical "office guy"... you know the type... the type w/ love handles and 15-20 lbs of extra weight around the belly. However, a women at the same point of 15-20 lbs overweight would be seen as... well... overweight. So there is def a slight difference there.

I think that girls can wear a bikini at whatever age, but (I know this is going to sound sooooo wrong) I don't think they should at any weight. If someone overweight is wearing a bikini then I feel awkward standing next to them and I feel like they are embarrassed.... but that's just me! I definitely think its worse to see an overweight woman in a bikini then to see an overweight man in some trunks.

As a general rule of thumb;
Women are overly critical of their bodies, they compare and contrast each other FAR HARSHER than any man. When it comes to trashing a woman in a bikini, no man can come close to being as critical as another woman. Don't take my word on it, just watch the Ms. America pagent during the swimsuit competition. The men sit and stare (drooling is optional) but the women tear every contestent to pieces.

Men, on the other hand - really don't care how we look in our swimsuits. If we like the way a woman looks in her swimsuit, we stare - if we don't; then we watch something else.

King of Queens perfectly portrays America's attitude on men being over weight vs. women.

Big hefty guy, itty bitty little hot wife. and when she started gaining weight as the show went on a big deal was made about it.

I think we associate big guys with strong/protecting/safe and thus exceptions are made.

Women aren't supposed to be that way. Although, I remember being told as young as 8 that I have 'great birthing hips'.

I also think the way the weight sits on women vs men makes a difference. often men carry it in like a tight drum on their belly (looking a bit preggers) most women don't carry it that way. I kind of think that matters.

I too think men are just as self conscious. I know my SO will go out in a swimsuit, but he'll confide in me that he's really uncomfortable with it. And I think if he was single, he'd avoid situations where going without a shirt is a requirement. I guess since he's not on the market, he doesn't mind as much,

However, that being said, I do think the "margin of error" for women is smaller than for men. And I think it's self imposed by our own gender. There are so many catty women... and a lot of times, the more uncomfortable with their own bodies... the less tolerant they are of others who are comfortable in theirs... and they get snarky.

It's sad because I think women feel so much pressure to look perfect.... and I think 9 times out of 10 that pressure comes from other women... not the men in our lives.

Just my 2 cents

I'd love to wear a bikini, but it's a complete no no until my stomach is flat and my legs are slimmer- it's not that i judge other people for wearing one, if they don't look that like, I just judge myself. I'm glad for everyone who is confident enough to wear one whatever their shape, and hopefully soon I'll be in a place in my mind where I can do this too, but as it stands now, nothing except a 'perfect' body will be revealed by me. I don't even feel comfortable in a swimsuit, and I swear I put on pounds just looking at myself in swimwear.

Stupid thoughts, go away

I have a slightly different perspective. I have fair skin and three of my good friends have had skin cancer. Because of that, I wear board shorts and a rash guard pretty much every time I go to the pool or beach. I love the freedom of not worrying that my gut is hanging out, but even more, I love knowing that I'm covered up and safe from the sun! I don't trust sunscreen and the FDA just came out with new regs saying that, for example, waterproof sunscreen is not really waterproof and anything over SPF 50 can't really be proven. I have two little girls and I think the clothing industry starts this gender stuff really young. For little boys, you can find nice long boardshorts and rash guards, while for little girls, it's bikinis and tiny little short shorts! Not even appropriate, not to mention offering no sun protection at all. But I searched high and low and my girls wear short or long sleeved rash guards and long - to the knee - shorts now! And they look adorable! And honestly in my opinion being covered up keeps you cooler in the hot sun! we lived in Hong Kong for a few years and being covered up seems much more common out there - everyone knows how damaging the sun can be- I saw the same thing in Australia. I've gotten my husband, who is also self conscious about his middle, wearing a rash guard as well and it's better all around!
As it is, I am curvy=large chested and have always had a hard time finding swimsuits that fit well.
So, turn the pressure around and protect yourself from the sun instead!
by the way ladies if you are looking for cute rash guards check out athleta.com and girls4sport.com. Awesome stuff.