A recent ban on G-string bikinis by a council in Greater Sydney has ignited a discussion on gender standards and the policing of women's bodies in Australia. This decision reflects a broader historical context in Australia, where women's attire has often been the subject of public scrutiny. The ban, however, lacks clarity on enforcement, leaving many to question its practicality and fairness.
The conversation around swimwear and modesty is not new to Australia, particularly during the summer months. Marion Outdoor Pool in Adelaide faced criticism for encouraging patrons to wear "modest swimwear" or a "standard bikini." In a similar vein, Swimming Australia's guidelines require swimwear to be modest, excluding G-strings from their list of acceptable attire. These regulations have sparked debate, with some arguing they unfairly target women.
Lauren Rosewarne, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, weighed in on the issue, underscoring the societal tendency to sexualize women's swimwear choices.
“Not everything is sexual just because you see it as such,” – Lauren Rosewarne
The Blue Mountains Leisure Centres (BMLC), which operate five pools including Glenbrook Swim Centre and Blackheath Pool, recently addressed confusion about what constitutes "appropriate swimwear" through a Facebook post. This echoes a wider trend of local authorities grappling with defining and enforcing swimwear standards.
Public reactions have been mixed. A man on the Gold Coast expressed discomfort with skimpy swimwear, advocating for a ban due to perceived moral implications.
“While any man would enjoy ‘the view’, I believe women are very much demeaning and cheapening themselves,” – a man who called on the Gold Coast Council to ban skimpy swimwear
Conversely, others argue that swimwear choices should remain personal, provided they are practical and safe.
“So long as [practicality] and safety are considered it shouldn’t be any one else’s business what I’m comfortable swimming in,” – a person commenting on a post
Some voices have also pointed out that the responsibility for maintaining moral standards is disproportionately placed on women.
“It’s up to women to sort themselves out … Somehow, the responsibility is on women not to stir desires in men, because then men might act badly and be punished, so we have to put the responsibility of morality on to women’s shoulders” – an unnamed person (assistant)