Clothing laws by country
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008) |
Clothing laws vary considerably around the world.
Most clothing laws concern which parts of the body must not be exposed to view; there are exceptions. These range from strict clothing laws in Islamic countries, or notably nude-favoring customs in certain countries across the globe.[citation needed] Many countries have different laws and customs for men and women, what may be allowed or perceived often varies by gender.[1] Cross-dressing is in some areas specifically illegal, especially a man wearing women's clothing.[citation needed]
Separate laws are usually in place to regulate obscenity, which includes certain depictions of people in various states of undress, and child pornography, which may include similar photographs of children.
Indecent exposure and public indecency are common concepts, which usually involve sexualized conduct as well as the simple exposure of body parts.
Contents |
[edit] United States
In the United States, clothing-related laws are set by state and local governments. A variety of different offenses, such as "indecent exposure", "public lewdness", "public indecency", "disorderly conduct" and so on, may require exposure of a specific body part (genitals, buttocks, anus, nipples on women), a specific intention or effect (being sexually suggestive, offending or annoying observers). In some cases, a member of the opposite sex must be present. In Florida, designated nudity areas are given an explicit exception. There are also some specific prohibitions against sexual acts, such as having sexual intercourse in public, or publicly caressing someone in a sexual way. In Indiana and Tennessee, there are specific prohibitions against showing a noticeably erect penis through clothing, or other sensitive areas through semi-transparent clothing. In some states, indecent conduct can also occur on private property, depending on the intent or effect of the act. In some cases there are exceptions for spouses, breastfeeding, and in New York, theatre performances. In most states, there is a governing state statute which defines the offense; in Maryland and Massachusetts, indecency is defined by case law. [2] Some local (county and municipal) governments also regulate personal exposure, as well as commercial activities such as strip clubs.
Case law in general governs the interpretation of the statutory definition, and in some cases allows for additional exceptions.[3][4]
In general, exposure of the head, upper chest, and limbs is legal and considered socially acceptable (except among certain religious communities).
Federal, state, and local regulations for certain occupations require various pieces of protective clothing for the safety of the wearer or the public. Such items include hard hats, safety vests, aprons, hairnets, and steel-toe boots.
In the 2000s, there was some controversy in some southern U.S. states over the wearing of pants (trousers) so low as to expose the underwear (sagging), and unsuccessful attempts to ban the practice.
[edit] Canada
Section 173 of the Canadian Criminal Code prohibits "indecent" acts, and exposure of the genitals to anyone under 14 years old. Nude sunbathing,[5] and streaking[6][7] have been specifically recognized by provincial courts as not falling under the definition of an "indecent act".
Section 174 prohibits nudity (or being "so clad as to offend against public decency or order") in view of the public. The courts have excepted nude swimming from this statute. [8] The consent of the Attorney General is specifically required to bring a case under this section.
[edit] United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, public nudity is legal on some beaches.[9]
In England and Wales, nudity is regulated by the Public Order Act, 1986 (which prohibits a man from exposing "his person" [penis] to offend a woman), the Justices of the Peace Act, 1361, and the common law offense of indecent exposure. [10]
[edit] Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea customs allow wearing only a penis sheath, which is both common and legal.[citation needed]
[edit] International laws and customs
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (February 2007) |
There are many specific circumstances where body parts have to be covered, often for safety or sanitary reasons.
In some Islamic countries, women must conceal almost their entire bodies (see hijab). Several areas in Israel, notably Jerusalem, have dress codes out of respect for the customs and practices of Charedi Jews; indeed, many sects of Torah Judaism have a code of modesty for both sexes, designed to focus on inner beauty and de-emphasize the physical.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Kirby, Kathleen M. (1996). Indifferent boundaries: spatial concepts of human subjectivity. Guilford Press, Chapter 5. ISBN 0898625726.
- ^ http://www.nudistlaw.com/state_laws.htm
- ^ http://www.naturisteducation.org/Toni_Egbert_Library/US_District_Courts/us_district_courts.html
- ^ http://www.nudistlaw.com/Court%20Cases.htm#List%20of%20Cases
- ^ R. v. Beaupré, 1971, British Columbia Supreme Court.
- ^ R. v. Springer, 1975, Saskatchewan District Court
- ^ R. v. Niman, 1974, Ontario Provincial Court
- ^ R. v.Benolkin, 1977, Saskatchewan Court of the Queen's Bench
- ^ Cooper, Emmanuel. Fully Exposed: The Male Nude in Photography. Routledge, page 89. ISBN 0415032792.
- ^ http://www.difference-engine.co.uk/library/human-rights/naked/nude_law.html
[edit] See also
- Trousers#Law
- Sumptuary law
- Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)
- Let's trim our hair in accordance with the socialist lifestyle (North Korea)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
