One of the more curious aspects of human anatomy is why men have nipples, considering they don’t serve a direct function as they do in women. Fortunately, you can learn everything you need to know with a search online.
Delving into this question uncovers fascinating insights about human development, genetics, and evolutionary biology. Understanding these aspects sheds light on this intriguing and often overlooked part of male anatomy.
Science, Bro.
To begin to understand the question of the male nipple, we must start at, well… the beginning: Conception. You see, when a man loves a woman very, very much, they…
…wait, I should probably fast forward just a little bit. We all know that the sex of a baby is determined by the distribution of X and Y chromosomes. But before the sex of the baby is established, the embryos develop in the exact same way. So, technically, both male and female babies develop the mammary glands before they ever resemble men or women. Time passes and female nipples develop in to their final, biological form. And male nipples just… don’t go away.
No Nippled Male Mice
Are you sitting down? OK, good. Because what I am about to tell you might blow your mind.
There are a few strange, strange people that believe mice are more biologically advanced than humans. Why? Because their males have evolution-ed their way to a life sans-nipple.
It’s true! At some point during their long, storied history, male mice have found a way to one-up us human males on the evolution front (it has to do with a rush of testosterone in the early embryonic stages). Other male mammary-less mammals include Horses and Platypuses.
Third Nipples
Because, sometimes two isn’t enough. Yes… people with third nipples actually exist. And they are way more common than you’d think. Third nipples, or Supernumerary Nipples, are often mistaken for a mole or a birth mark, and can be found on as many as 1/3rd of the human population! Including some noteworthy celebs like Mark Wahlberg, Harry Styles and, of course, Chandler.
Sex
Alright, it’s time to start tackling the why. Why do men actually have nipples? What are their purpose?
You see… when a man and a woman love each other very, very much… Look, nipples are incredibly sensitive! And are often the subject of a lover’s attention! No, I’m not going to spell it out for you and no, I’m not going to add a hyperlink either. I’ll leave that up to you. But, realistically, if we’re searching for meaning, look no further than the bedroom. I mean, it’s not as if you can draw any grand, philosophical conclusions from the existence of the male nipple… or can you?
Exhibit “A” in the Case Against the Existence of a Higher Being
Yeah… some people actually believe that the existence of the male nipple dis-proves the existence of God. Trust me… my eyes rolled at this one too. But here’s how the theory goes:
It all begins with the Old Testament’s Genesis story. You know, the one with Adam and Eve? God created the animals, and then Adam, and then Eve. So, in theory, if Adam was created before Eve, he shouldn’t have been created with nipples. Because nipples would only have been invented during the creation of Eve.
Sigh. Some people have way too much time on their hands.
Equality
The male nipple isn’t without its fair share of controversy. Currently, there’s a war raging over Instagram’s decision to censor the female nipple. But this isn’t the first time that the Male vs. Female nipple debate has made headlines.
Not too long ago, all nipples were banned in public. Yes, prior to the 1930s, men were also prohibited from revealing their chests in public. A string of protests was followed by a string of arrests was followed by a ruling in 1936 to allow men to legally sunbathe shirtless in New York State for the first time in history. And, because society doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, women are still pretty much banned from doing exactly the same thing in most places around the world.
Aesthetics
So we’ve covered the how, we’ve covered the when, and we’ve even mixed in some weird, un-categorized info along the way. But, when it all comes down to it, it’s hard to deny that, well, men just look better with nipples.
Think about it. We live in the age of manscaping, bodybuilding and selfies. All of which, in my humble opinion, are enhanced by the sheer existence of the male nipple. Just thinking about an army of nipple-less male chests seems alien. But, on second thought, a world without nipples means a world without purple-nurples. *Imagines what high school would have been like without the endless barrage of purple nurples.* Yeah, I’ve made up my mind.