Should Kids See Their Parents Naked?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Michelle Tsai

A court commissioner has ordered Britney Spears to undergo random drug and alcohol testing as well as meet with a parenting coach for eight hours each week. The pop star has been excoriated for her parenting blunders; she reportedly feeds her children junk food, whitens their teeth, and, according to a former bodyguard, regularly parades around them in the nude. What effect does parental nudity have on a young child?

If the kid is younger than 3 years old, it's probably harmless. At least, this is what many adolescent psychiatrists believe; there have been few rigorous studies of the subject. Very young children won't notice anything odd about a parent who prances around the house in the buff. Likewise, babies who breastfeed at 12 months are physically intimate with their mothers and don't think twice about it. Chances are good that a 2- or 3-year-old won't form any lasting memories of seeing his parents in their birthday suits.

Seeing your parents au naturel can be confusing for older kids who are more curious about bodies and sexuality. A child might wonder why a parent's genitals look different from his own; he might feel inferior by comparison, or jealous; and he might be a bit frightened of the size and hair. Too much exposure might also overstimulate a child, stirring up sexual excitement along with Oedipal anxiety.

One Stanford University study from the 1980s found that children in the United States develop a sense of modesty somewhere between the ages of 4 and 8 (and sooner for kids with an older sibling to emulate). Researchers questioned parents in more than 400 California households about what they observed of their children's development and followed with updates over a three-year period. In this age range, it turns out, kids start to learn the cultural norm for privacy—this is when little boys stop going to women's restrooms with their mothers, or little girls no longer want their fathers to give them baths.

http://www.slate.com/id/2174401/

[Peikko 1,575]

Parents certainly shouldn't 'force' their nudity onto their kids, that's kind of insane. On the other hand, if your kid wanders into into the bathroom while you are in the shower/bath, I don't think it's necessary to hide. Of course, some people always lock themselves into the bathroom, which is fine too.

[Jenn! 918]

I don't think it's appropriate for mothers/sons or fathers/daughters, but for mothers/daughters or fathers/sons I think it's completely natural.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Parents certainly shouldn't 'force' their nudity onto their kids, that's kind of insane. On the other hand, if your kid wanders into into the bathroom while you are in the shower/bath, I don't think it's necessary to hide. Of course, some people always lock themselves into the bathroom, which is fine too.

Excellent point.

While not flaunting nudity making a big deal or scurring off behind a door if a wandering toddler walks in is a bit over board.

[raymaga 25]

I agree that it's okay for fathers/sons and mothers/daughters.

You will also have to pay attention to the child's comfort level. All 3 of my kids had different degrees of how comfortable they were either seeing us nude or us seeing them nude.

I once knew a woman who slept nude with her pre-teen son and THAT was NOT okay.

[mawilson 2,133]

When I was 8, I was friends with this kid whose mother occasionally paraded around the house in the buff.

I remember when I saw her huge tits for the first time, I was traumatised for days afterwards.

I don't know what happened to the guy, but I think he grew up to be a serial killer.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

When I was 8, I was friends with this kid whose mother occasionally paraded around the house in the buff.

I remember when I saw her huge tits for the first time, I was traumatised for days afterwards.

I don't know what happened to the guy, but I think he grew up to be a serial killer.

does he wear a hat?

Daniel

:energetic:

[no name 1]

I once knew a woman who slept nude with her pre-teen son and THAT was NOT okay.

ewwwwwwwwwwwww.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Accidentally appearing nude in front of your son or daughter is one thing, but doing it on purpose is something else entirely. Obviously, if the child wanders in to Mommy or Daddy's bathroom while they're taking a bath or shower (or even going to the bathroom), then the parent can't reasonably be held responsible. It's not that the parent in question intended to appear naked before their child; it was, more or less, an accident.

In general, if such a thing as I described above did occur, the parent would tell the child to "leave the room" in some fashion or another, noting that it wasn't appropriate for the child to see their parent in that state of undress. As the child gets older, chances are he or she would be more careful and would probably attempt to prevent themselves from ever seeing their parents naked. I know I didn't want to see my parents nude (not that they walked around "in the buff"), but the very thought of it in my teenage years sent a shiver down my spine.

So unless parents are -- for lack of a better word -- perverts, I don't think very many children will eventually grow up to have a problem.

[Welshcookie 17]

Hmmm...I think Americans are far too preoccupied with the dangers of 'naked flesh'...from an early age my parents took me to beaches in France, Spain, Italy where the sight of a pair of boobs or bum wasn't considered an affront. I agree it does come down to individual comfort....and if some families are more comfortable with nudity than others....doesn't make them perverts.

I would rather my children be comfortable with nudity in the home than guns. JMO.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hmmm...I think Americans are far too preoccupied with the dangers of 'naked flesh'...from an early age my parents took me to beaches in France, Spain, Italy where the sight of a pair of boobs or bum wasn't considered an affront. I agree it does come down to individual comfort....and if some families are more comfortable with nudity than others....doesn't make them perverts.

I would rather my children be comfortable with nudity in the home than guns. JMO.

[no name 1]

Side note: I Meauxna.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

My fiancée goes topless in front of her children at times. e.g. walking to the shower or when changing clothes. I have also been asked to help bathe her young son who is obviously nude. America is a very uptight country when it comes to nudity. It is far more relaxed in Europe. European people aren't shocked when they see a nude body. American's, on the other hand, still talk about Janet Jackson's #######! This would have been no big deal in many places elsewhere. I see nothing wrong with nudity just as nudity. We were born this way!

[Sinergy 3]

Parents certainly shouldn't 'force' their nudity onto their kids, that's kind of insane. On the other hand, if your kid wanders into into the bathroom while you are in the shower/bath, I don't think it's necessary to hide. Of course, some people always lock themselves into the bathroom, which is fine too.

I think this is the first time ive actually agreed with PH

i have even stopped taking baths with my 2 yr old son. he walks in the room on me when im changing and thats fine, ill have clothes on in a few mins anyway. and my daughter, she hates nudity anyway so i dont worry about her walking in.

but i dont think its ok to make your kids see you naked, there is that occational walking out of the shower searching for a towel bc i forgot to get it before getting in and the door open and the kids seeing. but i dont doing it out of habit

my husbands mom sits and walks around naked, and hes 24 yrs old. i think its gross i hated to see it

Edited September 22, 2007 by Ionescu

[radsr2002 0]

Nudity only became a problem after man and woman first put on cloths. Which was done because of winter protection. Not because of shame of nudity.

It is strange that Man is the only animal on this planet that attempts to legislate MORALITY!!

I agree, people are way to caught in in the dangers of naked flesh.

Nudity is only shameful because of the values we have chosen to place upon it!

You will never see a cow hiding her #######'s....LOL

Imposed Morality @ it's finest!!!