Comments on: The Naked Truth

By: Harassed Mum

Harassed Mum — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:49:32 +0000

Hello!

Thanks to all who wrote and commented. I’m heartened to my permissive core that so many people agree with the clothes-free rights of children and see prudity of the hide-your-shame ilk as the emperor’s new clothes, covering what is a sad neurosis/paranoia/archaic mindset. If I wasn’t heading south in all directions I’d be shedding my inhibitions along with my kids.

By: Dennis Smith

Dennis Smith — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:36:42 +0000

I spend eight years researching the effects of nudity on children and found that one of the most positive things you can do for your offspring is leave them with a feeling that the body is not evil. Because of what we found while writing the book, we called it Growing Up Without Shame. That is one of the greatest advantages of a clothing-optional lifestyle: Having no body shame. Have a nude day to all of you who have lost that body fear.

By: Brian Taylor - British Naturists

Brian Taylor - British Naturists — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:53:54 +0000

Just a comment from the UK to reinforce your healthy attitude. I would go on about harmful effects of prudery, but Malcolm Boura has already done it for me!

You are absolutely correct when you say “I’m not going to dress nudity up as anything to be ashamed of.” That is the key point. I hope you can persuade the other parents of the wisdom of your approach. The result will be confident, sensible and ‘well adjusted’ young adults in years to come.

By: Juan Manuel Moreno

Juan Manuel Moreno — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:36:34 +0000

I am Mexican and I agree with Malcolm Boura. Recently some groups linked to children prostitution have been arrested in both Mexico and the States. I suppose that if nudism was more practised in my country we should not have any trouble with those matters. I am so ashamed that we have one of the first countries on child prostitution in the world.

By: Dario Western

Dario Western — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:56:08 +0000

This article is outstanding, and it’s nice to know that there are still some parents who are open minded and rational enough to let their kids play naked without any sense of neuroses. The world would be a much better place if there were more mums like you. I’ve shared your story on my group if you are reading this and curious to check it out.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:40:33 +0000

Nice to know others feel that way as well. I was raised to shun nudity, but my natural inclination at that age was to do just what “Harrassed Mum” is talking about. I noticed one day that most kids, given the chance, would ditch their clothes and go on with life. Why do we force clothes on them? I have a 15 year old who enjoys clothes for dress-up, but not for just hanging out at home…her friends know and expect it. My 7 year old started out loving to be naked, but now seems to want them half the time. When they were little, no one said anything about their being naked, but started to make comments to me about it nor for my son, and around age 9 for my daughter. It’s interesting to see what others have done..do you urge your kids to dress or let them enjoy the freedom of being clothing free, and hang a sign warning visitors to beware?

By: Malcolm Boura

Malcolm Boura — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:48:28 +0000

Prudery is just child abuse with good intentions. Don’t let the clothing obsessed stop you doing what is right.

If you doubt the child abuse statement, try comparing the teenage pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infection, etc, etc rates for the most prudish western countries with those for the most liberal. Then think long and hard about the reasons for such enormous differences.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:26:52 +0000

An excellent article. Carly, no, there should never be an age when you have to cover up. My wife and I were ‘home nudists’ and when our kids were born we wondered at what age they should be when it would be appropriate to cover up in front of them. We decided, why should it ever be inappropriate and became ‘open’ nudists. Our young kids loved it, then puberty reard it’s head and they’re nto so keen anymore. Young kids dont have a problem with nudity, as we see from the article. They learn it from their parents and elders.

By: carly

carly — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:01:30 +0000

when my eldest was starting school, my three year old would strip off to nothing while we were waiting by the classroom, and run around. he did it so quickly i barely (hahah, barely) had a chance to stop him. after a while i just let him go. everyone knew the naked one belonged to me.
ive never been prudish about nakedness in my house. i wonder if i should now though, now that my boys are older. is there an age where you should cover up in front of your kids?