We blow these body parts into something rather huge .. sometimes quite literally. They’re the butt (sorry) of jokes, often a huge part of a woman’s self-esteem. I’ll admit to having a serious case of boob envy, not being blessed in this department myself (I like to think that all my energy went to growing my brain). But I’ve never been tempted to go down the surgical route. Surgically-enhanced breasts look unappealing to me, and I imagine that any boob-loving male would prefer to get his hands on the real deal. Besides, being somewhat on the skinny side, too much boob would make me topple over. I’d look like a Weeble in reverse.

It’s strange how we’ve turned something that every woman has into a source of fascination, maybe even obsession. Now, it’s true that breasts are pretty darn nice to look at. I’m a hetero female, but can still admire a nice set of boobs. Yet the message we as women receive is confusing. Should we cover up, or get them out for the lads? And why are women unable to legally go topless in public, whereas men can? It is peculiar how some men are shocked by a woman breastfeeding, yet have no problem eyeing up a pair of boobs. But as a concept, breasts are everywhere – and constantly talked about in one context or another.

At first, it does seem curious that something with a purely biological purpose has been turned into an object of desire. But when you follow a logical train of thought it’s not so odd after all. We’re meant to breed, so eroticising this body part encourages us to feel sexual desire, even if we don’t always follow up with procreation. But this eroticising goes a little too far sometimes. Breasts are all over the media, used to advertise everything from perfume to toasters. And it’s odd that boobs are still such a source of juvenile humor, not to mention vulgar comments aimed at women who’ve done nothing to invite it.

Are breasts ultimately nobody’s business but the owner’s, and anyone she chooses to share them with? Perhaps. It’s a complex subject, and so confusing. They’re just lumps of fatty tissue. And yet they’re so much more. Perhaps one day we’ll achieve a sensible attitude towards breasts. In the meantime, we may as well just enjoy them.