In a case of the witheringly unoriginal, young girls’ bodies are the subject of debate. Again. Not whether they should have them - rather unavoidable - but how much of them they should be allowed to display.

Writing on the AIBU (that’s “am I being unreasonable?” in ordinary language) forum on Mumsnet last month, a mother asked:

I sent the kids to a holiday club today where they have a pool. They were wearing the bottom part of a bikini and the 7yo (very skinny as well) was told to wear the top part of her bikini tomorrow. I think that's just weird and I'm feeling a bit upset about it. AIBU?

Let’s… not deal with the issue of whether or not the child is skinny. That’s a (judgemental) red herring specific to this question.

But the issue of topless children rears its head every year. And, bizarrely, there’s a widespread sense that the nipples of a girl, from birth, must be covered - even when they are four or seven and are having fun on the beach or by the pool.

This prudery is encouraged by children’s fashion companies: it’s nearly impossible to buy a swimming costume bottom for my daughter without buying a top.