Indecent exposure
Indecent exposure is the display of bare parts of the human body that, according to the standards of the local cultural norms, would otherwise be clothed. In most public places other than designated areas where nudity is acceptable such as in nude beaches, unwelcome exposure of an adult's genitalia is the most common example of indecent exposure. More specific cases of indecent exposure may also involve masturbation, sexual intercourse, etc. in a public place. Indecent exposure is not to be confused with exhibitionism.
During the Victorian era, exposure of a woman's legs was considered indecent in much of the Western world. An adult woman exposing her navel was also considered indecent in the West up through as late as the 1960s and 1970s. Meanwhile, many other types of societies worldwide currently enforce strict standards of bodily modesty, an example of which is the Burqa imposed by the Taliban former regime of Afghanistan.
What qualifies as indecent exposure varies with the authority having jurisdiction. Indecent exposure is often also a criminal offense within that area. For example, before the Labour Party of the United Kingdom revised the law, "indecent exposure" was defined exclusively as a man exposing his erect penis to the public. However, even if a male exposes his flaccid penis (i.e., without an erection) to an unsuspecting and/or unwilling observer, such an action still differs from mere public nudity in that the intent of indecent exposure is to shock or harass.
Breastfeeding does not constitute indecent exposure under the laws of the United States, Canada, or Scotland. In the United States, the federal government and the overwhelming majority of states have enacted laws specifically protecting nursing mothers from harassment by others. Legislation ranges from simply exempting breastfeeding from laws regarding indecent exposure, to outright full protection of the right to nurse. Even in those states that have no such legislation, breastfeeding is neither indecent exposure nor illegal. However, mainstream ambivalence towards breastfeeding may prevent many women from exercising this right. Laws protecting the right to nurse aim to change attitudes and promote increased feelings of freedom and entitlement to breastfeed in public.
As late as the 1930s, both women and men were largely prevented from bathing or swimming in public places without wearing bathing suits that covered above the waist. Today, however, it is not uncommon for women to go topless at public beaches throughout Europe and South America .
Flashing
In noted contrast to indecent exposure is the term flashing, which is generally used to denote a typically nonthreatening exhibitionist type of exposure that most often refers to a female exposing her breasts. Flashing is quick, brief, and for the viewer(s), often unexpected. Its purpose can be to titillate, amuse, express sexual power, to shock, or to rebel against societal norms.
Displaying one's buttocks for shock value is known as mooning in American English, or a 'browneye' in Australia and New Zealand. Unexpectedly running naked through a public place is known as streaking.