Upper body free in the outdoor pool: Why women often avoid it

Upper body free in the outdoor pool: Why women often avoid it

In many German cities, women are now allowed to bathe up to the upper body, but this freedom often remains unused. An author dared to do it and tested in a public outdoor pool in Berlin how swimming feels "topless".

With 26 degrees and bright sunshine, the author made her way to Humboldthain Sommerbad in Berlin-Wedding. Their goal was to understand the experiences of women who would like to show themselves in public swimming pools without top. Although numerous open boards occasionally indicate blotherapy, the focus was soon on the question of why many women hesitate to perceive the new offer of bathing companies.

new rules and social changes

The current regulations for "top without" in the Berlin swimming pool are the result of a complaint that the 33-year-old initiator submitted in December 2022 after she was pointed out by the supervisory staff when trying to swim without a disorder. The ombudsman for the State of Berlin's anti -discrimination law finally decided that there were no gender -specific regulations for swimming. The new rules were announced in March 2023: "Swimming 'topless without' is allowed for everyone."

In several cities, including Göttingen, Siegen, and Frankfurt, swimming has now been accepted without the top for women, which symbolizes a cultural change in dealing with physicality and gender discussion. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how many women actually use this offer.

personal experiences and hurdles

When the author finally decided to take the risk of the "above without" sunbathing, she was looking for a suitable place and felt the testing looks of the men. These reactions, which often extend from sexual harassment to an uncomfortable feeling, are widespread in society. Her memory of previous unpleasant experiences, including a situation on the nudist beach, did not contribute to their calming down.

After a while she found a quiet place at the end of the meadow, where she could settle under a tree. This small, remote oasis offered her the necessary security to venture the experiment. But here, too, she felt the latent fear of being rated.

The fear of harassment has a major impact on the decision of many women, whether they show themselves “up without” or not. A Norstat survey showed that 71 percent of men and only 45 percent of women are without a top. A frequently expressed argument against this practice is concerned about an increase in sexual harassment.

Despite the new regulations, the nervousness of women in the outdoor pool is still great. The Berlin bathing companies report that the behavior of the guests has not changed significantly since the introduction of the "above without" offering. Couverted breast still beats the open upper body. This could indicate deeply rooted social norms and fears.

a step -by -step change in swimming practice

The author herself ultimately decided to carry a bikini top to the toilet. Even if she was able to watch swimming and sunbathing that some women followed her example, the majority of them stay with the traditional bathing clothing. So far, the Berlin bathing companies have received no reports on direct sexual harassment in connection with the "top without" swimming, which indicates that many women make their decision for personal reasons.

These social observations raise questions about the acceptance of bodies and individual freedom. Even if the legal framework has changed, it seems that the social climate is not yet willing to live out these freedoms in full. It remains to be seen whether there could be a change in the future.

The legal framework for women who want to bathe without the upper body have changed significantly in Germany in recent years. This development is in the context of a broader social discussion about equality and body awareness. Legislation in various German federal states has increasingly campaigned for decriminalization of nudity in public areas, which can also be observed in other leisure activities such as FKK Baden. In many cities, including Berlin, initiatives have emerged that stand up for more openness in relation to their own body and self -determination.

The public bathroom as a space of social interaction

public baths are not only places of relaxation, but also social meeting points. They offer a platform for interactions between people of different origins and age groups. The respective social situation is often reflected in the bathrooms. In urban rooms, baths are increasingly becoming locations where topics such as gender equality and cultural differences are discussed. The discussion about the "above without" bathing is only an example of dealing with body images and social norms in public.

This change is also supported by increasing movements such as feminism and body positiveism. Organizations and individuals are committed to ensuring that the body image is not restricted by gender roles or social conventions. This positive development could help to make more women feel more comfortable in public spaces if they choose the "above without" bathing.

The phenomenon of body awareness in society

The perception of one's own body has a lot to do with social norms, media images and cultural factors. Studies show that women are often under pressure to meet a certain body ideal. These pressure conditions affect not only the self -image, but also the behavior in public spaces such as swimming pools. According to a survey by the Statista market research institute, 65 percent of the women surveyed stated that they sometimes feel unsafe in swimsuits, while similar sensations regarding the fashion of men were less frequently mentioned.

The associated fears of showing themselves publicly can lead to women opting for alternative bathing options such as "above without" swimming. It is all the more important that society offers a space that promotes diversified body awareness and encourages women to feel comfortable in their body, regardless of norms or expectations.

The role of the media in the discussion about the "above without" swimming

The media play a crucial role in the discussion about body awareness and gender equality. Reporting on topics such as "above without" swimming can help to sharpen the awareness of such questions and to challenge social norms. Even if the main focus is often on sensational aspects, many media houses also make a valuable contribution to clarifying body awareness, self -acceptance and the rights of all people in public space.

It should be noted that despite increasing acceptance in some areas, reality for many women who choose "above without" is still shaped by feelings of uncertainty and potential harassment. This shows how important it is to continuously discuss such topics and make it visible in the media. The cooperation between social movements, the media and society is crucial to continue to change the attitudes towards the body and gender roles.