Should Kids See Their Parents Naked?

[Caladan 19]

The problem, if you can call it that, is mostly that Americans conflate 'sexual situation' with 'naked situation,' unless it's in a very clinical context. (And even then, the doctor probably has a nurse standing by.) Sexual situations are bad for kids, but naked situations are only bad because we have made nudity all about sex.

I think we'd be healthier if we had more of a relaxed attitude about nudity, but cultural attitudes are very hard to change.

[Reba 2]

From what I've read and heard, it's not just Americans, but North Americans in general, that have a hangup about sex -- this includes Canadians.

Perhaps Canadian television is a little more "liberal" in what they show and don't show when compared to the U.S., but the general and overall attitudes regarding sex in North America are far more reserved than that of in Europe or Asia. Whether or not that's a "good thing" really depends on your point-of-view, I suppose.

Yeap. there are some really uptight Canadians too. But, generally speaking, I think Canadians are probably less uptight than Americans when it comes to nudity and sex. Even if we just go by TV and movie ratings, (which are generally decided upon by what society will allow), in Canada sex, nudity and "foul" language are more tolerated than violence, and quite often, TV and movies are rated differently in the US than in Canada. In the US where a movie may be rated PG-13 for partial nudity and language, in Canada may only be rated PG. In the US, where a movie may be rated R in Canada may be rated PG-13. However, if the movie or TV show includes violence, the rating in Canada is sometimes higher than in the US.

My personal point of view is of course different than other Canadians. My parents are hippies of the 60's, their generation started the Sexual Revolution. Our house did not suffer from hang ups about nudity or enforced religious and societal morals about sex. Not that we didn't have any morals, ours were/are just different. And not that we ran around naked all the time either. But we didn't cower in the corner if we couldn't find a towel either.

I'm not sayin' I'd jump at the chance to join in a naturist/nudist camp, but I don't think its necessarily a bad thing.

Or the problem could be that there's not nearly enough nudity going on, which is creating a whole bunch of pervs because it's considered "dirty".

Or, it could just be that no matter what, there's sick people in the world, and there's naught we can do about it.

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

The problem, if you can call it that, is mostly that Americans conflate 'sexual situation' with 'naked situation,' unless it's in a very clinical context. (And even then, the doctor probably has a nurse standing by.) Sexual situations are bad for kids, but naked situations are only bad because we have made nudity all about sex.

I think we'd be healthier if we had more of a relaxed attitude about nudity, but cultural attitudes are very hard to change.

During college, when someone would ask me about what classes I was taking and I'd mention figure drawing - quite often I'd get a snickering response of, "Ewww, you draw nekked people?" If it were a guy, he'd go on to ask if any of the models were hot, but then squirm if I mentioned that sometimes the model is male.

You're absolutely right - unless it's in a clinical situation, there is the assumption that nudity is eroticism in of itself. This explains why our beloved former Attorney General, John Ashcroft wanted a female statue to have it's bosom covered, as well as why some people get all worked up over seeing a nursing mother's exposed breast. As Karen said, it's deeply rooted in Puritanism - belief that the body is an object of lust rather than beauty.

[Welshcookie 17]

yay cookie is back

how do you feel about naked guns around the house?

Charles....how you doing?! Ok ...as long as they remain naked at all times

[Mags 112]

I think we'd be healthier if we had more of a relaxed attitude about nudity, but cultural attitudes are very hard to change.

Spot on, I completely agree.

[Ban Hammer 13,636]

yay cookie is back

how do you feel about naked guns around the house?

Charles....how you doing?! Ok ...as long as they remain naked at all times

doing great ty so you're for open carry and not concealed carry then

I think we'd be healthier if we had more of a relaxed attitude about nudity, but cultural attitudes are very hard to change.

Spot on, I completely agree.

thinking back to that article i posted about brit gals having the biggest boobs, i suggest the british lasses get a head start on this and go topless

[coolred38 0]

I used to sit on the "throne" while my mom bathed after a long day at the coal mines(totally black from coal dust) and we talked about her day and mine and its a special memory I have of my mom...her being naked barely registered on my concious...

however, I saw my dad once coming from the shower drying his head(exposing his lower half) and I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me right then....it was shocking!

I dont think my own kids have ever seen me naked(thank God...they dont deserve the potential for blindness) but if it happened I wouldnt freak out about it and I dont think they would either....nudity is natural...covering with clothes just happened when the first cellulite showed up or the first beer gut... we prefer to hide what we consider to be imperfections...we dont want to see it and dont want anyone else to either.

kids seeing parents isnt all that shocking usually as long as its not at a time when they really shouldnt be seeing parents naked(and we know when those times are)

[Nizzy 1]

so are the same people who are uncomfortable with moms being nude around their kids uncomfortable if the mom has on a string bikini that barely covers her nips and a thong that leave nada to the imagination? I think there are situations (mom sleeping naked with preteen son) where it's wrong but when they are little it is okay.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

if the mom has on a string bikini that barely covers her nips and a thong that leave nada to the imagination?

Nizzy, I just want to make sure no one has trouble visualizing the image...

[Nizzy 1]

if the mom has on a string bikini that barely covers her nips and a thong that leave nada to the imagination?

Nizzy, I just want to make sure no one has trouble visualizing the image...

LOL...you are so helpful...

[Geist 0]

From what I've read and heard, it's not just Americans, but North Americans in general, that have a hangup about sex -- this includes Canadians.

Yes, but what about Mexicans? They're also North Americans!

Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with being naked around one's kids. There would be something wrong with having sex in front of one's kids or (even worse) with one's kids but nudity ought to be treated differently.

When I was an exchange student in Germany, my host family was East German and rather into FKK (Freie Körper Kultur, free body culture) and when I was flipping through their photo albums, I came across pictures from many family vacations to nude beaches--shocking for me, but perfectly normal for them. It's a cultural issue and Americans do have an unfortunate tendency to think nudity and sex are one and the same.

[Ban Hammer 13,636]

From what I've read and heard, it's not just Americans, but North Americans in general, that have a hangup about sex -- this includes Canadians.

Yes, but what about Mexicans? They're also North Americans!

i always considered mexico to be central america.......

[KarenCee 3]

From what I've read and heard, it's not just Americans, but North Americans in general, that have a hangup about sex -- this includes Canadians.

Yes, but what about Mexicans? They're also North Americans!

i always considered mexico to be central america.......

Mexico adjoins Central America, but it's actually attached to North America

[almaty 19]

if the mom has on a string bikini that barely covers her nips and a thong that leave nada to the imagination?

Nizzy, I just want to make sure no one has trouble visualizing the image...

brother arijt, you are indeed a right thinking type of man..and that young lady has a healthy set of lungs

[Ban Hammer 13,636]

From what I've read and heard, it's not just Americans, but North Americans in general, that have a hangup about sex -- this includes Canadians.

Yes, but what about Mexicans? They're also North Americans!

i always considered mexico to be central america.......

Mexico adjoins Central America, but it's actually attached to North America

in many ways