Nudity and Family

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering about this. I don't want this to end up being controversial, but it's something that I've wondered about.

There are lots of people who practise Witchcraft 'skyclad', and who see nothing wrong with nudity. I've heard of people who are habitual nudists. I was just wondering, when it comes to families with children, do people still practise habitual nudism?

Nowadays there's a lot of stigma about paedophilia, and being nude is seen as a sexual thing, even in circumstances when there are no sexual elements to it. I saw a film, apparently based on a true story, about a guy who was accused of being a paedophile because he filmed his son taking his first steps. The baby had been in the bath, and was therefore nude, and he walked.

How, when people nowadays read so much into things, is anyone able to be a nudist family with children, or does it even happen?

I don't see anything wrong with nudity, but I wouldn't go nude around my children (I don't have children, but this is assuming I do in the future) or have them go around nude in front of me, in case it was taken the wrong way.

I also must make it clear that I think that paedophiles are sick perverts, and that there is a big difference between nudity and sexuality.

[NachtSorcier]

Personally, I feel that as long as nudity and sexuality are kept separate, then nudity in the family is fine.  I mean look at those tribes in Africa and Asia who still habitually walk around fully or partially naked all the time.  No one labels them as pedophiles, because that is clearly how they live, not how they express themselves sexually.  I'm sure at one point, everyone on Earth went around naked 24/7.  

Also, I think this happens to be one of those "it's only dangerous because it's illegal" things.  If we weren't required by law to wear clothing in public, would the sight of an attractive, naked person set us off?  I doubt it.  If we were used to seeing dozens or hundreds of naked people everyday, the idea of sex and nudity being intertwined probably wouldn't even occur to us.

When I was very young, I was quite a "mama's boy."  My father ran off before I was born, and so my mother was the only one around.  I followed my mother around all the time, even when she was bathing or getting dressed, and she didn't seem to have a problem with it.  I didn't look directly at my mother's naked body; I just wanted to be there with her.  Perhaps that is how most families that practice nudity feel; they aren't turned on by each other's nakedness, they just happen to enjoy being naked as well as being together.

And for the record, I don't condone pedophilia at all.

[Beith]

I can't see anything at all wrong with families being nude in front of each other - quite the opposite in fact, I believe a child who grows up seeing other members of the family naked, and children being allowed to be naked themselves will make them more comfortable with their own bodies!

Although I agree nudity and sexuality are (sadly, I think) linked in our culture, I don't think this applies in a family situation, my brother and I used to take baths together when we were small and I also used to sit and chat to my Mum whilst she dressed or bathed - it was all natural and innocent & very healthy I think!  I am certain that the fact that I have very few 'body hangups' is down to this relaxed attitude in my family.

In a pagan context, I think at group events people need to be aware that nudity can be upsetting to some children who are not accustomed to it and act accordingly, perhaps keeping skyclad rituals in a seperate area and making parents aware.

As for the law - I am quite sure that nobody could be arrested for being nude in their own home, in a family context!!!  Photographs are always a tricky area as police could argue that the photos were going to be passed on or used in an inappropriate way, which is where all these horror stories of fathers/mothers being arrested for photographing their own children come from.  I would dearly like to check the validity of some of these stories though!

Of course children need to be protected, but a message that their bodies are shameful can in fact make them more vunerable to abuse, as they will feel too embarassed to speak openly with family if they need to.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I feel that as long as nudity and sexuality are kept separate, then nudity in the family is fine.  I mean look at those tribes in Africa and Asia who still habitually walk around fully or partially naked all the time.  No one labels them as pedophiles, because that is clearly how they live, not how they express themselves sexually.  I'm sure at one point, everyone on Earth went around naked 24/7.

I agree. I believe that clothing is unnatural and that it's only necessary in cold places.

Also, I think this happens to be one of those "it's only dangerous because it's illegal" things.  If we weren't required by law to wear clothing in public, would the sight of an attractive, naked person set us off?  I doubt it.  If we were used to seeing dozens or hundreds of naked people everyday, the idea of sex and nudity being intertwined probably wouldn't even occur to us.

Also agreed.

[Anonymous]

I can't see anything at all wrong with families being nude in front of each other - quite the opposite in fact, I believe a child who grows up seeing other members of the family naked, and children being allowed to be naked themselves will make them more comfortable with their own bodies!

Although I agree nudity and sexuality are (sadly, I think) linked in our culture, I don't think this applies in a family situation, my brother and I used to take baths together when we were small and I also used to sit and chat to my Mum whilst she dressed or bathed - it was all natural and innocent & very healthy I think!  I am certain that the fact that I have very few 'body hangups' is down to this relaxed attitude in my family.

Well, that exactly how it should be.

In a pagan context, I think at group events people need to be aware that nudity can be upsetting to some children who are not accustomed to it and act accordingly, perhaps keeping skyclad rituals in a seperate area and making parents aware.

That's fair enough.

As for the law - I am quite sure that nobody could be arrested for being nude in their own home, in a family context!!!  Photographs are always a tricky area as police could argue that the photos were going to be passed on or used in an inappropriate way, which is where all these horror stories of fathers/mothers being arrested for photographing their own children come from.  I would dearly like to check the validity of some of these stories though!

That's the worrying thing.

Of course children need to be protected, but a message that their bodies are shameful can in fact make them more vunerable to abuse, as they will feel too embarassed to speak openly with family if they need to.

That's an interesting take, but I do agree that I don't think that children should be brought up to think that their bodies are things to be ashamed of.

Can you see why I see this as a tricky issue? I am possibly over sensative to this issue because of things that have happened in my family. I'm scared to even look at children in the street in case someone takes it the wrong way...

[Zenon]

we've all been naked with our parents some time in our lives... when we were really, really young... I would just find it uncomfortable if it happened now that I am 26.

[Lark]

I don't think there is any harm in parents being naked in front of their children, or vice versa.  As has been pointed out, there is a big difference in nudity and sexuality, and I believe it is healthier all round to separate the two.

Unfortunately many people do not feel comfortable with this since we have been raised in cultures where the body was seen as shameful.  It isn't true in most of the world.  One has only to look at much of Asia and Africa to see that.

As for the law... The law is generally not going to have issues with nudity within the family setting.  Where the law gets involved tends to be when it is a case of children and adults who are not their parents.  Again, this is rather culture specific, but in Western cultures there is the perception (and often with good basis) that the nudity is tipping over into inappropriate sexuality.

-Lark-

[Zorro]

Indeed, not all nude situations are sexual ones, but there are at times, a cross-over from one to the other.  The lines between nudity and sexuality are not always clear cut and well defined.  

I have visited nudist message boards.  There are those who seem to be genuine in their approach to the subject, believing that there really is no big deal to it. There are those who seem to be operating from a different agenda - seizing the opportunity of a clothes free environment to be exhibitionist and to strut their stuff in front of the opposite sex or even worst, in front of minors.

Perhaps the dividing line between the two is behavior.

One can be fully clothed, but still dress provocatively.  One can be fully clothed, but behave in a sexually aggressive manner.

Here in NY state, it is interesting to note that while it is now legal, (or so I have been told), for a woman to go top free in locations that it is appropriate for men to do so, (such as on the beach), I have never seen a woman take advantage of this.  It therefore seems that laws are not the only thing preventing use from shedding our garments.  The conditioning of one's upbringing, as well as cultural standards, create a heavy influence.

[Bluefish]

I think there could quite easily be a nasty misunderstanding if the child talked about a skyclad ritual/event to someone else, like maybe their teacher or even neighbour or someone, and wasn't able to fully explain why they were naked with adults when asked.
 
It would be great to feel able to work skyclad with my whole family (not that I have kids), but I'd be too worried that it would be misinterpreted as something sexual by someone outside my family. Getting Child Services called on me when I'm not doing anything wrong would be extremely crappy, and it would go on my permanent record any way.
 
Also personally I'm not comfortable with being naked. Too exposed and vulnerable, among other issues    
But for people who are comfortable with it, great! There is absolutely nothing intrinsically shameful or dirty about a human body, and kids should be taught that.

[Anonymous]

I personally hate clothes with a passion.  I have no desire to be out in public without clothes though I do believe if women want to cruise around with no shirt the same as men then there is nothing wrong with it.  

Before my daughter came back to live with me, the first thing I did any time I came home was strip down.  I did not care if my roomate was home or not...she was the same way so this was no big.  Then my daughter came back to live with me and though I do not run around stark naked any more if I am hot I take my shirt off.  If my partmer is hot she takes her shirt off.  If my daughter is hot, she takes her shirt off.  My son, well he is naked all the time (except in winter).  We have never made a big deal about being naked and so it is not a big deal.  The only "rule" we have about nudity per say is not when guests are over.  

I do not believe that we should teach children to be ashamed of their bodies.  What the heck is more natural then our bodies?  Socially speaking I suppose this could be viewed as twisted or whatever but this is the same society that seems to believe that letting our children watch Dog the Bounty Hunter and the Simpsons is okay.  Whatever.  Just for the record, my daughter is almost 11 years old and my son is 18 months.

[Zenon]

I think there could quite easily be a nasty misunderstanding if the child talked about a skyclad ritual/event to someone else, like maybe their teacher or even neighbour or someone, and wasn't able to fully explain why they were naked with adults when asked.

People love to talk s*** (pardon my portuguese)...  don't give them the opportunity to do so...  My suggestion would be to explain this to children.

[Zenon]

Also personally I'm not comfortable with being naked. Too exposed and vulnerable, among other issues    

hey, I wouldn't be comfortable either... I mean, with my manhood hanging out, and people dancing around with athames and swords... too vulnerable!

[Still Kate]

I've never had a problem with being naked in front of Ryan nor has Jon, if Ryan needs to use the wc when one of us is in the bath or just getting in or out then thats fine with us, we don't walk around the house naked for any length of time though.

Ryans also getting to the age where he gets a bit embarrased if I see him naked so I respect his privacy. He's okay with Jon though - I guess its a man thing - so if he forgets something when he's in the bath, like his towel, then Jon has to take it in for him.

I don't see any problem between parents and children as long as everyones privacy is respected.

Kate. XX

[Anonymous]

To be honest, the people I'm more concerned about being nude around are my immediate family. I just wouldn't know how to react in the situation. With strangers I'd be fine. If I brought my kids up that way, I'd be fine because it would have been established as the norm from the beginning.

[StarFire]

I think that it is a nature/nurture sort of thing.  In cultures where there is nudity, it is accepted, and no one cares.

I think that our culture reflects greatly on how we view ourselves.

I don't deliberately wander around nude, but neither do I cause a scene if my little ones walk in on me.  I KNOW I have issues with my body, and I don't want my kids to have them as well.  (at least not because of me)