Nudity

[SMHW]

In western culture, only two generation ago, children had many occasions to be naked in public and to see naked mates that today a child no longer has: a bath in the river, the shower at school…
In other cultures the situation is different. In India, for example, often a naked toddler is not a problem also in public streets.

Clearly, if nudity is a problem in a cultural context, it must be avoided.

I was going to say…

In most Western English speaking countries, public nudity,even of babies and toddlers, is not culturally acceptable or prudent.

In some other places nudity is much more culturally accepted, especially for young children. And I don’t really have a problem with people from such cultures covering themselves in a manner consistent with their culture --at least while they are on their own turf.

But since I am from a Western English speaking nation, I would not allow my children to be publicly nude no matter where I am. (Of course most of them are adults now and I don’t get to chose for them.)

 

[CFI]

In most Western English speaking countries, public nudity,even of babies and toddlers, is not culturally acceptable or prudent.

That don’t seem to me the situation of “most Western English speaking countries”, but of the United States. Certainly it is not the situation of the United Kingdom.

 

[Sarabande]

That don’t seem to me the situation of “most Western English speaking countries”, but of the United States. Certainly it is not the situation of the United Kingdom.

I would agree with that. Since I live in the U.S., it would be really inappropriate to see naked children out and about. But during my music studies over in Europe, I had been to a few places, where young children would swim and run about at the beach or on the lake totally nude. It was an acceptable and appropriate practice there. For myself and for my future children, I personally would not allow my children to prance around nude in public, although I’d be ok in the house when they are young.

 

[SMHW]

That don’t seem to me the situation of “most Western English speaking countries”, but of the United States. Certainly it is not the situation of the United Kingdom.

I’ve never actually been to the United Kingdom so I wouldn’t actually know I will defer to your experience.

I just know that most of the people posting in this thread seem to be from North America where the public nudity of children is generally frowned upon. But I know that is not the case in many other places, including some places where adults dress more modestly than in North America.

 

[Tracy24]

My daughter is 7 soon to be 8 and she has always preferred as little clothing as possible. She was a preemie and spent the first 2 weeks of her life on a warming bed lying stark naked with a diaper laid open under her because her skin was paper thin and easily ripped so this offered less risk of that happening. She spent the next 4 weeks after that in a heated isolette with the diaper done up and when she hit 6 weeks old we were finally allowed to put clothes on her but by that time she was not into all that and she hated it!

As she got older and more agile she started figuring out how to remove those pesky clothes all by herself. She wasn’t bothered by the diapers but if she got half a chance she would run through the apartment bare bum and all.

Today she started out fully dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Shortly after noon she went up to the bathroom and came back down with nothing on but the t-shirt. This then begins the discussion for the umpteenth time that she needs to be covered and the reasons why. She begrudgingly drags herslf upstairs to put her underwear back on but the sweatpants are still up on the bathroom floor.
I have to pick my battles and at this age as long as she is covered even if it is only undies and a shirt I can let it go. But in a couple years time I won’t be able to overlook it so easily when she starts developing. That is a future discussion I will have with her when the time comes and she is able to understand it.

But running naked in public…no way!

 

[Matt33]

I, I think that at home nudity is not a problem at any age.
.

So a 17 year old girl, her 14 year old brother and a seven year old sister can just run around the house, jump on the bed… watch TV, bathe, and generally be naked at anytime?
one has to take into account the age, and approptiateness. Not only is it important to teach them to not be ashamed of thier bodies but it is appropriate to teach them modesty, class, and sacredness, especially of thier own bodies. If you raise them thinking that it is ok to just be naked then what is so special about mariage? And that is the fun part!

 

[CFI]

So a 17 year old girl, her 14 year old brother and a seven year old sister can just run around the house, jump on the bed… watch TV, bathe, and generally be naked at anytime?

If parents and children are comfortable (as I wrote), I don’t understand where is the problem.
It is different is someone is uncomfortable.

If you raise them thinking that it is ok to just be naked then what is so special about mariage? And that is the fun part!

I think that nudity is not only to have sex.

 

[Matt33]

If parents and children are comfortable (as I wrote), I don’t understand where is the problem.Then perhaps you don’t understand sexual explorations that kids can go through. Or maybe you have never worked with someone who may have been molested by a sibling. It could also be that you are forgetting that we as humans do not have the innocence we had before the fall and therefore cannot possibly gain that back just becasue we wish the fall had never happened and wish we didn’t have the “knowlge that the sepant promised.” We do and those butterfly wings are tainted.
It is different is someone is uncomfortable.

I think that nudity is not only to have sex.ok ya got me there… what else is it “for” then.

Do you have children?

 

[CFI]

I think that nudity is not only to have sex. ok ya got me there… what else is it “for” then.

Do you have children?

I have not yet children.

In the western culture nudity is seen as to take off clothing. Actually clothing adds something to the body.

 

[Serap]

I have not yet children.

In the western culture nudity is seen as to take off clothing. Actually clothing adds something to the body.

The thing is for me, is that I was born and raised in Europe until I was 9. I remember going nude in my back yard at the age of 7 or so. I have no qualms with children going nude. If I saw a nude 5 year old running around on the beach, I would think how cute and innocent the child is. It would definitely bring a smile to my face.

However, in this age of internet and my acceptance of just how prevelant pedophilia is in our world, it worries me to let my daughter go nude in public. Not because I’m against it, but because of the possible consequences of her nudity. I think she looks really cute nude and I wouldn’t give it a second thought of her being nude in public if I knew that there was no one around who would look at her sexually or even take pictures of her and post them on the internet. That goes for if we were in Europe too. I just wouldn’t take the chance with my daughter.

I am an adult survivor myself, so I guess I’m also extra protective because I have been exposed to this dreadful sick fact.

 

[CFI]

I think that nudity is not only to have sex. ok ya got me there… what else is it “for” then.

In the western culture nudity is seen as to take off clothing. Actually clothing adds something to the body.

So I think that whichever activity that don’t require a clothing for physical, psychological or cultural reasons may be made in the nude.
Surely there are situations where nudity is inopportune and not acceptable.

 

[Matt33]

So I think that whichever activity that don’t require a clothing for physical, psychological or cultural reasons may be made in the nude.
Surely there are situations where nudity is inopportune and not acceptable.

Thats vague. But I am just going to go ahead and bow out of this conversation because I am feeling just a little wierd about it. Have a nice day.

 

[Big_Willis]

Nudity is fine as long as you and/or the clothed or unclothed people around you can handle not letting it turn into something sexual. I really don’t care about seeing or being nude, but use your judgement. Public showers,lockerrooms, nudist activities, or just hanging around in the nude is fine. Just be sure of yourself and your surroundings.

 

[pyro_alchemist]

My wife grew up in a society where communal nude bathing at the river was a normal part of everyday life. Women openly nursed their children in public without shame. Except for attending mass or school, most prepubescent children rarely wore more than a t-shirt. She has always loved her body and has a very healthy attitude about sex.

I on the other hand grew up in a society where it was considered immodest for woman to wear short selves, jewelry (except for wedding rings), dress hems above the ankle, or makeup. Until college days I never attended a dance, restaurant that served alcohol, movie theater or bowling alley. I grew up believing the human body was an evil and vile thing with lots of unhealthy hangups about sex and nudity .

I am not saying proper modesty is a bad thing but it can be taken to extremes.

Just something to think about.

 

[armywife]

We lived in Europe from 2001-2007 and kids up to about 8 were for the most part nude at the beach or a lake. At a pool, they had swimsuits. But even then, little girls, again till about 8 just wore the bottoms.

We were at the beach in Italy and my daughter was in a swimsuit (we’re just too American) but she was playing with a little Italian boy who was totally nude. Splashing in the surf together… my husband asked if that was ok and I said she didn’t even seem to notice. She was five at the time.

Here in the states I would never let my child out of the house in any way naked… but we’re pretty liberal about it at home. I have started telling my 7 (8 in Oct) year old that she’s too old to run around the house naked. On the other hand I think people are a little over the top sometimes. We were at the pool this summer and I slipped my 2year old’s sundress over her and took off her swimsuit underneath and put on her underwear and I got stares like you wouldn’t believe. There is now way anyone saw anything, but I definitely felt like I was committing some grave offense.

And Catholic90, mu DH is very much the same way

 

[Big_Willis]

Nudity is fine as long as you and/or the clothed or unclothed people around you can handle not letting it turn into something sexual. I really don’t care about seeing or being nude, but use your judgement. Public showers,lockerrooms, nudist activities, or just hanging around in the nude is fine. Just be sure of yourself and your surroundings.

This is an addition to my previous post

I suggest not being nude when aroused. This could lead you and others into sinful sexual activities. First of all, we all know there are visible changes. This can cause arousal in those around you. Secondly, when aroused one thinks more of pleasure and not the moral aspect.

 

[CFI]

My wife grew up in a society where communal nude bathing at the river was a normal part of everyday life. Women openly nursed their children in public without shame. Except for attending mass or school, most prepubescent children rarely wore more than a t-shirt. She has always loved her body and has a very healthy attitude about sex.

I on the other hand grew up in a society where it was considered immodest for woman to wear short selves, jewelry (except for wedding rings), dress hems above the ankle, or makeup. Until college days I never attended a dance, restaurant that served alcohol, movie theater or bowling alley. I grew up believing the human body was an evil and vile thing with lots of unhealthy hangups about sex and nudity .

I am not saying proper modesty is a bad thing but it can be taken to extremes.

Just something to think about.

I don’t know where your wife comes from, but her attitude about the body is a great resource for your family and the upbringing of your children.
Unfortunately in our culture we still are damaged by the heritage of Victorian era.