Editing Modesty (section)

===Generally accepted Western norms===
Appropriate modesty depends on context and place. For example, in [[sex segregation|single-sex]] [[change room|public changing rooms]], nudity is often acceptable.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/16/britons-bad-being-naked-victoria-coren Why are Britons so bad at being naked?] Sarah Ditum, The Guardian, United Kingdom (16 January 2013)</ref>

In Western and some other societies, there are differences of opinion as to how much body exposure is acceptable in public.<ref>Salmansohn, Karen. "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-salmansohn/the_power_of_cleavage_b_70260.html The Power of Cleavage]". ''The Huffington Post'', October 29, 2007.</ref> In contemporary Western society, the extent to which a woman may expose [[Cleavage (breasts)|cleavage]] depends on social, cultural and regional context. Women's [[swimsuit]]s and [[bikini]]s commonly may reveal the tops and sides of the breasts, or they may be topless as is common on the beaches of the [[French Riviera]]. Displaying cleavage is considered permissible in many settings, and is even a sign of elegance and sophistication on many formal social occasions, but it may be considered inappropriate in settings such as workplaces, churches and schools. Showing the [[nipple]]s or [[areolae]] is almost always considered [[toplessness]] or partial [[nudity]]. However, in 2014 newly elected Pope Francis drew world-wide commentary when he encouraged mothers to breastfeed in church if their babies were hungry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/12/pope-mothers-breastfeeding-children-sistine-chapel|title=Pope Francis encourages mothers to breastfeed - even in the Sistine Chapel|first=Lizzy|last=Davies|date=12 January 2014|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

In private homes, the standards of modesty apply selectively. For instance, nudity among close family members in the home can take place, especially in the [[bedroom]] and [[bathroom]], and wearing of only undergarments in the home is common.

In many cultures it is not acceptable to bare the buttocks in public; [[Mooning|deliberately doing so]] is sometimes intended as an insult. In public, Western standards of decency expect people to cover their [[genitalia]], and women to cover their [[breast]]s.

Since the 1980s it has become more common for young women in Western societies to wear clothing that bared the midriff, "short shorts", backless tops, sheer and other styles considered to be immodest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osisa.org/buwa/regional/fashion-feminists-how-fashion-and-dress-shape-women%E2%80%99s-identities|title=Fashion for Feminists: How fashion and dress shape women's identities|last=Sika|first=Varyanne|date=10 January 2014|work=Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)|access-date=20 June 2014|archive-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716235213/http://www.osisa.org/buwa/regional/fashion-feminists-how-fashion-and-dress-shape-women%E2%80%99s-identities|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the United States in the early twenty-first century, public [[breastfeeding]] has become increasingly acceptable, sometimes protected by law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/breastfeeding-state-laws.aspx |title=Breastfeeding Laws |work=Breastfeeding State Laws |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures, United States}}</ref> President Barack Obama's [[Affordable Care Act|health care bill from 2010]] provides additional support to nursing mothers, requiring employers to provide a private and shielded space for employees to use in order to nurse.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/09/breast.feeding.society/|title=Breastfeeding rooms hidden in health care law |publisher=CNN|first=Elizabeth |last=Landau|language=en|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref>