Are women's backs pornographic?
Filed under: Style in the News, News
The world is still freaking out after witnessing Miley Cyrus' nude shoulder blades -- which, in itself, is kind of understandable, as even non-prudish folk might balk at teenagers posing suggestively for fashion mags. But now there's news that people are raising hell over the naked backs of grown-up women -- calling them "explicit" and demanding that they be removed from public view.This latest controversy surrounds some ads for K-Rock, a New York-based radio station, which show women with tattoos of rock bands across their bare shoulders. Offended citizens have complained to the radio station, and now the "scandal" is making headlines in the northeast. Subsequently fashion bloggers are up in arms, calling America's recent obsession with "back pornography" ridiculous and pleading with the country to chill out.
But should we? Personally, we don't see what all the fuss is about. However, you can check out the photos and judge for yourself.
Emma Leigh 5-21-2008 @ 3:50PM
I don't think it is the bare back as much as it is the implied nudity. One of the pics has a half exposed boob and another a booty shot. Nothing on the lines of pornographic in my mind, but hey, we're uptight here on the East Coast.
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Jonathon Morgan 5-21-2008 @ 10:39PM
Truth be told, after I finished the post and was making that photo gallery, it occurred to me that if I'd driven past that billboard and had to explain it to my 4-year-old daughter, I would've been annoyed too.
ph 5-21-2008 @ 4:24PM
Maybe it's less about the backs, and more about the bum cleave and side boob? Still though...
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dude 5-23-2008 @ 8:08PM
They all complain about those billboards then they go home and play with themselves while they fantasize about them.
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Jordan 5-23-2008 @ 11:46PM
Sex is very natural, people need to stop shying away from it so much. American kids are so clueless once they hit puberty, no wonder 1 in 4 girls between 15 and 19 has an STI. Our teen pregnancy rate is also sky high. If a kid asks, what's to explain? It's the human body. It's an adult female's back.
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Tim 5-23-2008 @ 8:16PM
Scandal! Miley Cyrus NUDE:
http://celebritiesvidz.com/videos.php?v=Miley_Cyrus
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Richard 5-23-2008 @ 8:21PM
Hey Crapforbrains, saying that is Miley Sirus nude and posting a link, regardless of where is goes, is akin to Child Pornography and one can be arrested for even implying it. Get a life you loser. Ever see To Catch a Predator? One doesnt have to act, only initiate or imply. I hope you child porn spamming ass gets busted.
David 5-23-2008 @ 8:26PM
It's exploitation that people hate. They are using sex to sell and the hell with trying to raise your kids to be good people.
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J Vragel 5-23-2008 @ 8:26PM
With their "spokesmen" rebuked by even McCain, is this all the lunitic fringe can come up with to b*t*h about? Naked backs?!?! Let them crawl back under the rocks they oozed out from under!!!
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palmbeachshoppe 5-23-2008 @ 8:36PM
Actually one of these billboards was in our neighborhood- and was just higher than eye level on an every day street complete with houses and children walking to school. It might be ok if it's up high and the backs are smaller in relation to their height, but naked backs spanning 12 feet tall is just inappropriate for anyone that wants to help keep their families eyes safe and secure. Normally you'd say, "change the channel" - in this case- change your house? I don't think so.
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Bill Taytlor 5-23-2008 @ 8:58PM
As far as the billboards are concerned, they are not as offensive as some ads in "womens" magazines. If it isn't defined as pornographic by the Supremes, then it's perfectly legal. As far as Miley Sirus is concerned, her father is the one who should be (and if she's under 18, is) responsibile for allowing her to pose provocatively. Under the new guidelines from the Supremes the Coppertone ad with the little girl with the dog pulling down her swim suit to show her tan violates the current law. We need clearer definitions, not contridictions from the folks calling the shots.
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Robert in San Jose 5-23-2008 @ 9:03PM
Oh for Christ's sake. They're BACKS, not vulvas. I don't think a parent has to "explain" anything to a 4 year old except to maybe say that the girls are not wearing tops. Sex sells. Stop trying to protect people from it. Americans are the laughing stock of the Western world because we still think erotica/sex is somehow dirty. Thank God nobody has yet to spew something about "protecting innocent children" whatever that means. Victorian ethics has always been a problem in this nation.
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StephWomn 5-23-2008 @ 11:10PM
I completely agree! This country is still so puritanical. Most European beaches are topless, in this country a hint of nipple has people all up in arms. When a parent is confronted with a nude back on a billboard they COULD be creative and tell their kids that the people on the billboards are wearing BATHING SUITS! Let's be serious it is a BACK - how did backs get to be sexual? The whole Miley Cyrus thing is also insane -- the full shot of the (so called sexy) pics shows that she is wearing pants, and simply has the sheet wrapped around her -- it was not as if she was fully nude with a ribbon across her breasts and crotch. It was a beautiful pic of an attractive young woman who wears more form-fitting outfits during her live concerts. I am sure there are shots online that show her in a bathing suit showing MUCH more skin. If people in the US would relax a bit, we would notice that sex is used to sell everything is this country, and to stop being hypocritical. Next thing we know, they will try and make us women ashamed if our ankles show, like in the Victorian Age. There is double standard in this country as well. Think about ALL the movies made here for the past 20 years where there's been full frontal nudity of women. Now stop and think, other than a porn film, how much male frontal nudity is there? Think bout how much is made if we get a glance of a " male star's" butt. I am in no way suggesting that there should be more nudity in films, advertising, etc but we need to calm down about some backs and other "Weapons of Mass Distraction" and focus on our REAL problems -- the economy, loss of jobs & homes, gas prices, the "War" (invasion) of Iraq, etc.
Amber 5-23-2008 @ 11:35PM
To StephWomn,
Regarding your comment on R-rated movies and nudity...I hate the fact that America is obsessed with naked women, but when it comes to men, where are they? Why is it that all actresses (talented or not), have to be a movie with nudity to give them cred? I don't get it. I won't see a movie if there's female nudity. If my husband's going to get some eye candy, I want some too.
Cathy 5-23-2008 @ 11:57PM
I FIND THE AD OFFENSIVE.
THE WOMEN LOOK LIKE BRANDED MEAT!
Once was a kid 5-24-2008 @ 4:50AM
You say that now, until its your daughter sliding down the stripper pole and Your son putting dollars in some strange girls panties.........who could be incidently your daughter. If we dont protect our children who will after all they are the future and if the WORLD insists that we raise generations of perverts, then you can bet your BUM that you will no longer have to worry about blogs complaining about people being naked and you will instead read blogs about people HAVING TO MANY CLOTHS ON....AMEN
Satanlka 5-23-2008 @ 9:24PM
Ok.. all's fair in love and advertising right? Where are the naked guys? I want to see the muscley arms all 12 feet high. The ones with the tattoos on the backs are ok in my opinion, they are advertising a rock station.. those are rock bands. The ones with just the naked chicks?? What's the point? As far as explaining it to kids, just be rational, if you FREAK OUT and say how bad it is, they are just going to want to look at it MORE. If you treat it as what it is.. an AD for a rock station, it's not that big a deal and they move on. I also have to add that even though I'm not the worlds best at spelling, how can you people get along in this crazy backwards world thinking that Miley Cyrus is spelled with Sirus?
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frenchgirl 5-23-2008 @ 9:25PM
I don't believe people are fussing so much about the bare backs as much as they are about the side boob and booty.
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Sue 5-23-2008 @ 9:52PM
this is sad, the naked body is a natural thing! why is it that people and prudes, have to make a big deal out of it, thats why things get out of hand. theres just a bunch of idiots out there! Teach your children right, and open yourself and they will learn right from wrong. get a life to those who have nothing better to do but make others lives misserable because theirs is...
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watdafuk 5-23-2008 @ 9:47PM
their freaking out over miley cyrus`s bare sholder blades because she is a 15 year old child !
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