Don't Strip your Kids!

[aTasteOfHeaven]

I think that we have become more modest because of the risk of child predators. As disgusting as it is, the PP is right on saying that a pervert could have taken that little girls picture. It just isn't safe anymore.

Along the lines of another PP, my daughter won't be in a bikini. I see very young girls wearing little booty shorts and tiny shirts with their cleavage showing... That just screams "look at me" and their are too many creepy guys out their to be doing that now-a-days.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

With all due repsect to the Scottish PP I do think the odds are the family was from Europe. Changing a child (or even at times an adult) in public is much more common in many parts of Europe than anywhere in the US (and most posters who said "probably european" did not seem to mean that as an insult in any way--I certainly don't).

Personally, I think the trend in the US to get so upset by this stuff actually feeds predators. It sexualizes normal childhood behaviours and bodies. yes, some people are truly perverted and will see it that way no matter what--but I think we are making it seem "normal" to see a child as sexy when we make such an issue of it and insist it is inappropriate (not that I change mine in public, but had I raised them here I probably would). As the PP who included the Coppertone ad and her sunsuit photo in her post points out--this used to be common in the US as well.

None taken. I just think that during the trips I have had to the US (all over the US) I have seen some things that are just as bad when it comes to nudity in children and things that would make you . I have seen these in Europe too.

Also worth remembering that Europe is a different continent to America as it contains so many different countries with very different traditions and cultures so it is hard to compare us all together. People form the US say they are going to Europe as if it is one place but that is not the case. So maybe in parts of Europe the culture would be not so strict on nakedness.

I do think you are right about some of the posts I have seen on here being overly concerned about nudity in children. Now I agree that kids should have underwear on and I would not be keen to change mine in public - I would look for a restroom or something.

I wonder why that is the case though? As has been said - this is a new thing (relatively) and is it a result of the media spotlight and scaremongering on paedophiles? Who knows?

 

[mjkacmom]

I think that we have become more modest because of the risk of child predators. As disgusting as it is, the PP is right on saying that a pervert could have taken that little girls picture. It just isn't safe anymore.

Along the lines of another PP, my daughter won't be in a bikini. I see very young girls wearing little booty shorts and tiny shirts with their cleavage showing... That just screams "look at me" and their are too many creepy guys out their to be doing that now-a-days.

None of my girls even own 1 pieces - and dd6 and dd8 really don't have much cleavage! I have pictures of dd6 at the beach when she was 4, wearing nothing but a pair of terry pants (her clothes were soaked). What's the difference between a little boy with no top vs. a little girl with no top? Bikinis are much easier to bathroom with.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I just saw posts that went up while I was typing earlier about why would you need to change a child at MK? I know mine could get totally sopping wet playing in the water areas of Donald's Boat (and now they also have a water area at Pooh's Playground). I imagine kids need to change at the parks pretty often with all the water play areas and fountains.

None taken. I just think that during the trips I have had to the US (all over the US) I have seen some things that are just as bad when it comes to nudity in children and things that would make you . I have seen these in Europe too.

Also worth remembering that Europe is a different continent to America as it contains so many different countries with very different traditions and cultures so it is hard to compare us all together. People form the US say they are going to Europe as if it is one place but that is not the case. So maybe in parts of Europe the culture would be not so strict on nakedness.

I do think you are right about some of the posts I have seen on here being overly concerned about nudity in children. Now I agree that kids should have underwear on and I would not be keen to change mine in public - I would look for a restroom or something.

I wonder why that is the case though? As has been said - this is a new thing (relatively) and is it a result of the media spotlight and scaremongering on paedophiles? Who knows?

Absolutely true that the variety of cultures and traditions is more vast than in the US--by far (though the US does have some pretty major regional differences--but nothing to compare to the differences among countries here). The changing thing happens to be common in many countries in Europe though (Germany, France, Spain, Italy . . .) so it is easier to say "European" than list out everyone. That said, I am sure it must get annoying being lumped in all together by the Americans all the time
Oh and believe me I absolutely know Americans do plenty of weird/rude stuff both at home and when they travel abroad There are bad apples in every culture and country and there are lots of good ones in every culture and country too

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I just saw posts that went up while I was typing earlier about why would you need to change a child at MK? I know mine could get totally sopping wet playing in the water areas of Donald's Boat (and now they also have a water area at Pooh's Playground). I imagine kids need to change at the parks pretty often with all the water play areas and fountains.



Absolutely true that the variety of cultures and traditions is more vast than in the US--by far (though the US does have some pretty major regional differences--but nothing to compare to the differences among countries here). The changing thing happens to be common in many countries in Europe though (Germany, France, Spain, Italy . . .) so it is easier to say "European" than list out everyone. That said, I am sure it must get annoying being lumped in all together by the Americans all the time
Oh and believe me I absolutely know Americans do plenty of weird/rude stuff both at home and when they travel abroad There are bad apples in every culture and country and there are lots of good ones in every culture and country too

Absolutely!!! The US is my favourite place to visit and the people have a lot to do with that.

 

[NotUrsula]

Bikini on a preschooler? No. 2-piece? You betcha.

Spandex is difficult to peel off when wet, and I've helped more panicked little girls than I can count in campground and waterpark restrooms, all of them wearing wet one-piece suits that they could not manage to peel down to use the restroom. I can see mine staying in 2 piece suits for quite a while, probably until right up before she hits puberty.

Right now she's not quite 2; she wears a rash guard and a skirt-style swim-diaper for water play. She inheritered my complexion, and knowing what we know today about skin cancer, she's staying in a rash guard top as long as I can enforce it.

 

[laceemouse]

The "puritan" views that still exist in our country never cease to amaze me.

Unfortunately there are a lot of sickos out there, that child's picture could very well be on a porn site by now.

 

[Leajess99]

I have to agree with pps that have said it isn't that big of deal. Would I personally strip my 7 year old down naked in the middle of everyone? No. If somebody else was doing it would I even look twice or worry about shielding my child's eyes? Absolutely No.

I'm a proud American that thinks this is the best country on earth, but I do think that some of our views of sexuality and nakedness are screwed up. For example, I would totally let my 19 month old girl swim in nothing but a swim diaper but I would never put her in a bikini -- because while I think nakedness is more natural than anything, I consider bikini's to be more sexual and given that a toddler has no reason to be touting her sexuality, I would never put her in one. I think most people would probably disagree with me, though.

Just for the record not all children in Bikinis are in them to be "touting their sexuality". I have a child that has a longer torso and most one piece bathing suits do not fit her properly so they are either too tight and riding or are too loose and showing off more than should be shown. We do have Disney 2 piece suits one of which has boy shorts.

It is one thing to allow an infant or toddler but in this day and age with all the perverts and the pictures of children being passed around I would even be scared to allow them to be seen in just a diaper. A few years ago when my youngest DD was still in diapers I posted on a message baord with friends. Many would use pictures of their children in their profile. Well one day while another person in our group was searching for diapers on line she found a Diaper Fetish board and some of those same children in the profiles were posted on that board for the sickos to use to get off. I don't post my children's pictures online for their safety but even this site affected me. You just never know who could be lurking. Unfortunately even kids in bathing suits are not safe vbut at least they are a little more covered.

 

[ms_missy66]

What's weird is that I can't imagine why the heck this little girl would have to be naked in the middle of MK. There are bathrooms. Don't get me wrong. I don't think there is anything shameful about a naked body. This also isn't an age thing for me. But if my little girl got soaked and needed her clothing changed, I would head for a bathroom and do it in a stall. No biggie.

Like others have said, I would worry about sickos getting a kick out of seeing my little sweet pea's petunia. I was once by the interactive fountains by Ariel's Grotto and there was a little girl (maybe 6ish) in just her panties and I absolutely quesitoned one guy's motives for hanging around that area. Sure, he could have been waiting for his family or whatever, but he just couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. And no, he definitely was not her parent or relative.

We live in a beach town and when my older daughter was probably three, we went down there off-season. She was in a dress that quickly got wet from running in the water. Since we were alone, we just let her play in her panties. A few minutes later an older guy walked by and he could not stop staring at her! I wouldn't say he was a predator because it was just by chance he was there when we were. But you better believe I quickly got my daughter wrapped up and to the car.

European, non-European...it doesn't matter. If you're going to strip your child down naked in WDW, find a bathroom. They are all over the place. That's my two cents!

 

[MrsTazlvr]

Unfortunately there are a lot of sickos out there, that child's picture could very well be on a porn site by now.

That was my first thought when I was at Epcot near the Mexico pavillion on Sunday. We saw a family with a boy and a girl. Both looked around 8ish and both were topless sitting on the top of a bench while the family took pictures. It's sad that we have to worry about sites like this and predators, etc.

 

[chigirl]

When we went in 2006, a mom stripped her about 6 year old naked to put a swimsuit on her at Donalds boat, then THE KID PEED! The mom was just like "Oh, well, the water will wash it away!" It was gross....plus I 100% agree that pervs are on the lookout for situations like this.

 

[kaysmom2002]

My DD who is 7 would have never LET me strip her down naked. She's just too modest herself. I wouldn't do it for fear of embarrassing her. But I do just wonder some times what people are thinking when they do things to their kids in public.

 

[bumbershoot]

For example, I would totally let my 19 month old girl swim in nothing but a swim diaper but I would never put her in a bikini -- because while I think nakedness is more natural than anything, I consider bikini's to be more sexual and given that a toddler has no reason to be touting her sexuality, I would never put her in one. I think most people would probably disagree with me, though.

If I had a girl I'd do the same. The bikini top is just useless and silly, and it does make a person think "hmm, a bikini".

None of my girls even own 1 pieces - and dd6 and dd8 really don't have much cleavage! I have pictures of dd6 at the beach when she was 4, wearing nothing but a pair of terry pants (her clothes were soaked). What's the difference between a little boy with no top vs. a little girl with no top? Bikinis are much easier to bathroom with.

The person didn't have a problem with NO top, it's that bikini style of top that's the problem. It sexualizes what isn't yet sexual.


When I say something is European, I say it as a compliment! I'm just a wanna be expatriot, waiting for a job that only my husband can do to show up in another country so we can run away.


All this is not to say I'd have stripped DS in public. When he plays in the waterplay areas at DLR, or when he goes on the raft ride there, I only do rudimentary changing in public, and go back to the hotel or to the bathroom for the full changing.

But that's for his own modesty, not due to worry of a photograph. For some reason I've just never been concerned about the photography stuff, and I was on mothering when the kerfluffle over cloth dipe pictures ran rampant...wasn't concerned then, either. I understand that others are, but I don't understand the WHY of it.

 

[C.Ann]

I agree. I think the mother that shielded her son's eyes has the bigger problem than the mom who took off her 7 yo (and do we even know for sure how old the girl was - could've been younger) clothes.

What problem would that be? Just because her reaction is different than yours - or that of anyone else - doesn't indicate she has a "problem".. She simply views this type of situation in a different manner..

The "puritan" views that still exist in our country never cease to amaze me.

If being modest (and careful when dealing with children in the current sex-crazed climate) is "puritan" - then we definitely need more of it, not less..

Unfortunately there are a lot of sickos out there, that child's picture could very well be on a porn site by now.

Yep.. They don't even need a traditional camera - they can simply take a photo with their cell phone.. Are the odds very slim? Of course they are - but I wonder how any parent here would feel if they found out that their 7 yr. old daughter's picture was appearing on numerous porn sites for all the world to see? I'm guessing they would be singing a whole different tune..

If "modesty" for a child isn't that big of a deal for some folks, that's all fine and good - but to say that this woman - someone that none of you have ever met in person - has a "problem" is waaaaay over the top.. You do your thing and she'll do hers..

 

[HolliePoppins]

What problem would that be? Just because her reaction is different than yours - or that of anyone else - doesn't indicate she has a "problem".. She simply views this type of situation in a different manner..[



If being modest (and careful when dealing with children in the current sex-crazed climate) is "puritan" - then we definitely need more of it, not less..



Yep.. They don't even need a traditional camera - they can simply take a photo with their cell phone.. Are the odds very slim? Of course they are - but I wonder how any parent here would feel if they found out that their 7 yr. old daughter's picture was appearing on numerous porn sites for all the world to see? I'm guessing they would be singing a whole different tune..

If "modesty" for a child isn't that big of a deal for some folks, that's all fine and good - but to say that this woman - someone that none of you have ever met in person - has a "problem" is waaaaay over the top.. You do your thing and she'll do hers..

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I can't believe that!!! Well, yes I can--my friend is from Belguim & told DH & I one night last summer when we were at there house for drinks that it would not be unusually for a woman to be sitting there with no top on....I don't know if he was serious but (there was NO WAY I was taking off my top to sit there & hang out ) My DD (8) would freak out!! And there is no way that I would let DS (4)

 

[davidsprincess]

When I had to take off my daughters princess dress and put her shirt on(she wore her pants on underneath) there was about 4 or 5 of us that would all crowd around her in a sort of group hug.(it was so hot out and she couldn't stand having her shirt on with that pariclular dress) No one could see her and if they did, it would have only been her back.

When she was 2 and we went down to the ocean (hadn't planned on it) we didn't have a swim suit for her. We just took off her shirt, left her diaper on and the little pantyshort that came with her outfit, on her. She looked no different from any boy that age. She didn't even have that long of hair. We had no problems.

Not saying that the perverts out there are not a concern, but in this day and age a pervert can find anything sexy. Some can get off on bare shoulders, some on the sight of ankles. Does this mean that I will let my child go around completely naked, or with clothing covering her from her toes to her neck? No, but I will use caution and care. To me, at this point, I would rather her southern privates be covered. That to me is more important. I would not strip her down completely naked in public, just partially naked

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm a proud American that thinks this is the best country on earth, but I do think that some of our views of sexuality and nakedness are screwed up. For example, I would totally let my 19 month old girl swim in nothing but a swim diaper but I would never put her in a bikini -- because while I think nakedness is more natural than anything, I consider bikini's to be more sexual and given that a toddler has no reason to be touting her sexuality, I would never put her in one. I think most people would probably disagree with me, though.

There is nothing sexual about a 19 month old in or out of a bikini...

I think 2 piece bathing suits are adorable on toddlers with their big ole belly hanging out....plus they make potty breaks so much easier.

 

[NHdisneylover]

When I had to take off my daughters princess dress and put her shirt on(she wore her pants on underneath) there was about 4 or 5 of us that would all crowd around her in a sort of group hug.(it was so hot out and she couldn't stand having her shirt on with that pariclular dress) No one could see her and if they did, it would have only been her back.

When she was 2 and we went down to the ocean (hadn't planned on it) we didn't have a swim suit for her. We just took off her shirt, left her diaper on and the little pantyshort that came with her outfit, on her. She looked no different from any boy that age. She didn't even have that long of hair. We had no problems.

Not saying that the perverts out there are not a concern, but in this day and age a pervert can find anything sexy. Some can get off on bare shoulders, some on the sight of ankles. Does this mean that I will let my child go around completely naked, or with clothing covering her from her toes to her neck? No, but I will use caution and care. To me, at this point, I would rather her southern privates be covered. That to me is more important. I would not strip her down completely naked in public, just partially naked

I agree completly with the bolded sentiment Honestly my kids don't change in public (never have) but if they had been raised where it was common and were comfortable with it I wouldn't care. I absolutely repsect everyone's right to cover up as much as the ysee fit, but I also do not feel parents who are from a different viewpoint and do not feel chidlrens' bodies must be covered atall times are putting their kids in more danger than anyone else simply by that choice. Yep, some total stranger might take their photo and might post it online and then yucky people might do icky things looking at it. Yep, that is icky and yes if it was my kids' photo and I knew it were online I would want to get it offline if I could. BUT none of that really hurts my kid. It is just yuck. It could also happen that some random stranger gets off on a photo of my fully clothed child or photshops her face onto a photo of a naked body (this actually happened to a girl from DDs Brownie troop a few years ago. Police found the photos when searching for something else and tracked down the girls family and investigated to be sure the girl was safe and her parents were not knowingly involving her in child pron). All of these things are icky to think about and not okay, but really to keep it from happening at all I would have to keep my kids inside the house with the blinds drawn 24/7. Uh, no I don't think so.
I am much more concerened about people who know us or live near us and might truly hurt my kids if they ended up with some weird obcession with them than random people in public places and random internet people looking at photos and doing whatever to themselves in the process.

 

[mushumadness]

Not being funny but do you not think its a bit judgemental to say that they must be European?

I would not strip my children down in public. And I have seen a lot of things done throughout the US on my travels that are just as bad.

You might be speaking for yourself but noone is going to believe that noone in the US would do that. You can't make sweeping judgements that everyone in a whole continent has the same standards as you do.

I am with you on this, europe is a big place and we shouldnt be clumped together,

I wouldnt change my sons nappy in public never mind undress him,