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Originally Posted by HyperHulk  Where is it common for fathers and sons to spend their entire lives completely naked together? Nudist colonies? What an odd statement. |
Try thinking outside the "Western World" for a minute - there are still plenty of places round the world where clothing is not generally worn.
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Freddie's post made no sense to me. I guess I didn't read it well enough. Was he saying that kids have to see their parents nude so they understand puberty and how their bodies function? There are books on this stuff you know. Most schools also have some type of health class and most kids can figure out how to do research on-line. Yes, it's great if parents get involved but you certainly can do that without being nude around your children.
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It depends what you mean by 'need'. I think it is much healthier to allow a child to see the naked human body (their own and those of other people) primarliy as a non-sexual thing. They can sexualise (some forms of) nudity themselves later in an appropriate context - but as children their naked body is not a sexual thing and neither (to a child) is mine, or anyone else's. It's not about the fact that child NEEDS TO SEE a naked body to understand puberty - but a child will be much more comfortable with his / her own body in an enviroment where Mum and Dad don't scream and grab a towel if the child comes in while they re showering and, even more so, in an environment where the child is not given the impression his/her own naked body is a shameful thing.
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The OP here wasn't even about nudity per se around children, it was about bathing them. Quite frankly, I don't see what the issue is. I don't get the same sex or opposite sex stuff. You bathe your children to get them clean and you monitor it in a way so they don't harm themselves by drowning or falling. I've seen fathers who are watching their daughters at the beach bring them into the men's shower area so they can get dressed. If the girls are in there, they are going to see naked men--whether it's their father or other men. What matters in these situations are intent. You manage these situations as parents as best you can with their safety as the number one objective.
I'm in the middle of the hysterical, "no never do it" crowd and the no boundaries, "all nude world" bunch--this is common sense parenting without the need for guilt. If you are operating in the best interests of your children and your intent to see them cleaned and safe--then you do what you have to, when you have to and get the job done. There isn't a specific age or a particular gender. If they are independent and you can trust them, then you step aside and let them do their thing. Simple.
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Well, yes - of course that is reasonable. Freddie and others are just using examples to show that nudity is not harmful or unnatural around children IF it is treated as a non-sexual thing. Some people are comfortable with it some are not. The OP (a good while back now) was asking about bathing with his kids. I think it is great when parents bath with their babies - I loved it. Babies love it. It's a bonding thing. Children, past infancy don't need an adult in the bath with them, or even hovering over them - but it is still not sexual for parents to be in the bath with their children and therefore it is up to each family to decide when that stops. I know when I was a kid we all used the bathroom at the same time and while I might not have been in the bath with my father it was OK if I needed to brush my teeth or have a quick wee while he was in the bath, and vice versa. In fact I would still be comfortable with that - but they have 3 bathrooms now so it just doesn't ever happen.
My parents being comfortable with their non sexual nudity has taught me to be the same. I'm very glad of it. I'm never embarassed at the doctors, nor changing on the beach, nor in communal showers. I see people that are, and I feel sorry for them.