Nude teens raising eyebrows in Vermont

[Lord Woodlouse]

Is it good or bad? Dunno. I certainly think sex is probably more of a taboo than it should be in modern society, but I am instinctually wary of subjecting very young children to sexual images. I honestly don't know if it could have an overall negative effect on their development though.

I have two young children and as long as you explain sexual images or references to them in a mature and responsible manner they are not adversly affected by them. My kids see my wifes breasts occasionaly and sometimes see us naked and they think nothing of it. My son asked when he was four why he had a penis and his sister had a vagina and we explained why and he shruged his shoulders and went on with life. It's not like they are going to go and turn into porn addicts or rapists later in life like fundies would have you believe.

Y'know, you're probably right. Simple social inertia working on my mind probably.

[Rye]

If you think about it, if there were a sexually reproducing species, it would be the lamest species ever if merely seeing nude members of its own species or sexual behaviour damaged it.

[Lord Woodlouse]

If you think about it, if there were a sexually reproducing species, it would be the lamest species ever if merely seeing nude members of its own species or sexual behaviour damaged it.

Well I just take exception to those people who make a loud argument about how there's nothing inately sexual about a nude body, there clearly is. Cultural aspects can raise and lower it but we're all still going to get turned on by it no matter what, or we'd have died out before we had clothed.

The main issue seems to be "is there anything inately wrong with something being sexual?" which I guess is a big fat no, in most cases. I suppose in an all nude society (which is pretty impractical anyway most of the time) sexual abuse would probably increase (though I don't know, I'd be interested if anyone disagrees) but I suppose that's a bit like saying homosexuals are wrong because people hate homosexuals.

[Keevan_Colton]

sexual abuse would probably increase

Why?

[Lord Woodlouse]

sexual abuse would probably increase

Why?

It becomes fundamentally easier, and there's more to tempt those who might be tempted. As I say, I don't know, others might disagree and I'm interested in why you think that might not be the case.

[Cao Cao]

sexual abuse would probably increase

Why?

It becomes fundamentally easier, and there's more to tempt those who might be tempted. As I say, I don't know, others might disagree and I'm interested in why you think that might not be the case.

Similar arguments all the time are made to defend the actions of rapists because the woman was wearing a skimpy outfit, for example.
I wouldn't think abuse would rise. Sickos are going to do what they're going to do.
But there would be a lot more excuses given in court.

[wolveraptor]

Actually, I would oppose lifting the restrictions on nudity laws simply because it would put millions of strippers out of work. Keep our hardworking girls employed!

Not...freaking...serious.

[Darth Lucifer]

I find this a little surprising. having been to florida where people are insulted if a guy walks around with his shirt off..

Bah...In Kettering, Ohio, it's a violation of city ordinances. I wonder just how strongly this one is enforced, though.

[AniThyng]

So...the same objections that apply to nudist teen/child summer camps ("OMG, Pedophile magnet!") no longer apply if everyone should be free to go about naked? I'm pretty sure there are plenty of subjective reasons that even the most non-religious of us can use to weasel out of not going naked in public themselves (note that I am not implying objections to others going nudist if they wish)

[wolveraptor]

The great thing about this is that only people who are proud of their bodies (or at least no ashamed of them) will go out nude, thus solving the problem of unsightly bods prancing about.

[Boyish-Tigerlilly]

Well, Mr. Wolvoraptor, that might indeed cut down on some of the more timid people who aren't good looking, but certainly not those with other personality types that are ugly anyway.

There are tonnes of ugly people who go to nudist beaches.

[DesertFly]

I'm sorry Wolveraptor, in that you are quite wrong. If there weren't such taboos against nudity, I would quite happily prance about in the buff, and I have no illusions about being attractive, or even pleasant to look at.

[Hillary]

The great thing about this is that only people who are proud of their bodies (or at least no ashamed of them) will go out nude, thus solving the problem of unsightly bods prancing about.

5 minutes on a German nudist beach would disabuse you of that notion.

[Darth Wong]

sexual abuse would probably increase

Why?

It becomes fundamentally easier, and there's more to tempt those who might be tempted. As I say, I don't know, others might disagree and I'm interested in why you think that might not be the case.

If that logic holds true, why does Germany have one quarter of America's rate of sexual assault while also having much more liberal attitudes and rules regarding sex and nudity?

[Hillary]

Why?

It becomes fundamentally easier, and there's more to tempt those who might be tempted. As I say, I don't know, others might disagree and I'm interested in why you think that might not be the case.

If that logic holds true, why does Germany have one quarter of America's rate of sexual assault while also having much more liberal attitudes and rules regarding sex and nudity?

Rather interestingly, Germans tend to reverse the UK & USA attitudes towards sex and violence on TV.

Watching sex is damaging. Watching violence is good fun. Listening to swearing is off the scale. Who on earth can defend this point of view?

[Lord Woodlouse]

Why?

It becomes fundamentally easier, and there's more to tempt those who might be tempted. As I say, I don't know, others might disagree and I'm interested in why you think that might not be the case.

If that logic holds true, why does Germany have one quarter of America's rate of sexual assault while also having much more liberal attitudes and rules regarding sex and nudity?

Now that is interesting. But then again, I was thinking of a society in which nudity was the norm and generally universal (which, yes, I consider both impractical and unlikely).

But aye, I'm in agreement that our societies tend to have a slightly irrational set of sexual taboos at work. *shrug* Who knows, maybe less repression would (as Germany seems to represent) result in far less people participating in sexual abuse. I've not made my mind up about it at all, but it seems a fairly compelling argument.

[drachefly]

Acceptance of nudity protects children from sexual assault: sexual predators often lure in the child in such a fashion so as to make the child feel unable to get help. This can be by convincing the child that this is normal, or by convincing the child that letting out their secret would be terribly harmful to the child.

Both of these get a lot harder if sexual topics are discussed with the children and such things are held less taboo.