How Old is Too Old for Nudity?

[plutojudy]

At Disney resorts we have seen the people who take the wet suits off their kids when they get out of the pool and let them run around or nap naked. We have also seen these naked children "relieving themselves" as they run around. There is nothing cute about it.

 

[doug46]

Beyond about 3, I think it is too old to strip them naked for a shower in public. I say this because I know my kids would be very uncomfortable being put on display. If your kids really don't mind, then to each his own. But I wouldn't do that to my son or daughter. Just wait until you get to the room and put them in the shower for what little sand may be left under the suits.

 

[Par8hed]

I always have a problem understanding what Americas big problem with nudity is?
Its a kid for heavens sake - I wouldnt have even noticed that they didnt have any clothes on - how sad and what a terrible reflection on what society has become that people would find it intolerable to see a 4 year old pre schooler being showered off by their father after a magical family day at the beach.

I agree with this post....

 

[Par8hed]

After a few trips to St Martin we have noticed a HUGE difference in the attitude of Americans vs any other country when it comes to our bodies.

Our daughter was 3 on our last visit and she wears a sun suit when we visit the beach ( any beach). although as soon as the sun begins to set...she would take it off and play with the other kids there in all her shiny hiney glory!

I see nothing wrong with that. Now that she is 4...she has noticed the difference between boys and girls. We just tell her yes boys are different. She always says oh..okay, and that is it. We will no longer take her to St Martin, not because of the nudity for us, but for the fact that we live in the Bible Belt and the people here are VERY close minded. If she even mentioned about swimming or playing suitless, she would be looked at differently. So inprotection of her from the poeple here, we will not be able to go back. Very unfortunate for us, as these were some of the best trips ever. It is very sad that we make our children feel that nudity is wrong and disgusting, when we should teach them they are beautiful with or without clothing.

Yes there are some VERY disgusting and sick people out there. As parents we need to be aware of that, but I will not let that dictate my life or my vacations.

Sorry so long...

......and with this post.


We (Americans) need to relax a bit. A 4 year old? Let them be free.

 

[lg3]

I see nothing wrong with a 2 yr old boy his 4 yr old sister being rinsed off at the beach, assuming they were okay with it. That is also assuming they are getting dressed in something immediately after. Once you get a bit older, say 5/6ish, then I would be rinsing a little faster or holding up a towel.

 

[Gixer]

The coiffures are nothing compared to the piercings!! And I love the hats with pockets (after all, where else do you carry things when you are au natural?!).

How humourous that I have been labeled as "intolerant" of nudity when when I thought I clearly stated that my concern was other people with less-than-healthy intentions vs. being personally offended by the kids. Yes, that's me, Ms. Intolerance!! The blog is all a lie...I really just visited the nudist camp to run around yelling, "Get some clothes on, you offensive bunch of nudies!! I refuse to tolerate those nasty birthday suits!!"

I have no desire to enter a prolonged debate on this issue with you - however from these comments below one could assume that you find naked children intolerable - I fail to see why you would find a 4 year old child getting showered by their parent creepy.

Is it just me who thinks there is something creepy about a buck naked 4-year-old old running around in front of a crowd of people? God forbid, but what if a pedophile was among them? Maybe I'm a prude, but it gave me the willies. Seems like anything over a year or two is too old for public nudity of that sort, i.e. running around where a lot of people are present. Am I nuts or do y'all agree?

 

[inkkognito]

I have no desire to enter a prolonged debate on this issue with you - however from these comments below one could assume that you find naked children intolerable - I fail to see why you would find a 4 year old child getting showered by their parent creepy.

Is it just me who thinks there is something creepy about a buck naked 4-year-old old running around in front of a crowd of people? God forbid, but what if a pedophile was among them? Maybe I'm a prude, but it gave me the willies. Seems like anything over a year or two is too old for public nudity of that sort, i.e. running around where a lot of people are present. Am I nuts or do y'all agree?

I thought I stated it clearly enough, but as a doctor and a cognitive therapist I know that people interpret other's thoughts and comments through the lens of their own experience. I am not going to challenge your reality; I already see how strongly it caused you to react when I made a little joking response. That indicates that you are attaching something more to this emotionally, and I only go down that route when I am getting $75 an hour.

 

[Gixer]

LOL

I am the one attaching too much to this emotionally? You were the one who noticed the child in the first place and felt so strongly about it that you thought it needed a thread on a public forum to discuss the issue!

I wouldnt wish to challenge your reality either

Are we done now?

 

[princesdi]

I think child nudity should be a private affair. If it had been me I would have provided some private coverage for my children rinsing off by using a beach towel. I do not feel exposing my children in public is the right thing to do---changing a babies diaper or clothing is one thing, but showering them nude in broad daylight creates a whole different issue. Even when my children were babies I tried making it as private as possible when we were in public. To me it is not only respect for my own children, but also to respect those around me. It should be private.

I work with juvenile deliquents, if they saw a baby or child in this situation I can guarantee the response that would rise from that, it would not be positive. We need to keep in mind the society we live in. No everyones thought process is pure. What may seem innocent could be something far more to someone else.

Just my opinion.

I think wearing a thong bikini on a family oriented trip is also very wrong. As adults we should know when to distinguish right from wrong, there is a place and time---a family oriented vacation is Not the right time.

 

[Laurabearz]

Yes, and the best part was that she was right by the Mickey pool with her tot!! Quite a site for the families! The butt cheeks were almost within the running to qualify for a "wide load" sticker.

Anyone else thinking 'spit balls' would be way way too much fun??

 

[plutojudy]

I feel we need to protect our children. Letting them walk around nude is not protecting them. There are sick people out there and they are not wearing a sign.

 

[inkkognito]

LOL
I am the one attaching too much to this emotionally? You were the one who noticed the child in the first place and felt so strongly about it that you thought it needed a thread on a public forum to discuss the issue!
I wouldnt wish to challenge your reality either
Are we done now?

Sorry, but as I stated earlier, I can't continue a side discussion that requires my professional skills unless you want to send me $75 via Paypal. You can have the last word for free tho' because it seems like you can't resist responding to me...I'm done, so the floor is yours!

Laura, spitballs would have been a classic!!!

 

[lg3]

I feel we need to protect our children. Letting them walk around nude is not protecting them. There are sick people out there and they are not wearing a sign.

IA, but the OP was not about the kiddo's walking around nude, just having their parent rinse them off before reboarding the ship. Walking around nude would be a whole different thing I believe.

 

[disney1990]

Yes, and the best part was that she was right by the Mickey pool with her tot!! Quite a site for the families! The butt cheeks were almost within the running to qualify for a "wide load" sticker.

Wow, I'm surprised that they would let somebody wear a thong on a Disney cruise.

As far as the kids in the shower, I would have been upset if they were over 6.Many years ago, as kids, we use to play under the sprinkler in our backyard in just our under pants. All the kids in the neighborhood did it, so nobody gave it a second thought.

 

[Stepht5]

IA, but the OP was not about the kiddo's walking around nude, just having their parent rinse them off before reboarding the ship. Walking around nude would be a whole different thing I believe.

I would have still put a towel up so that it would be private. I don't have a desire for strangers to see my kids naked..... It is one thing for an adult to choose to let people see them naked (yuck! ) and quite another to make that choice for a child.

 

[Sully]

I find it very interesting that people are concerned about perverts seeing your child at Disney, yet many of you are posting photos of your children with your comments on the world wide web. Interesting.

 

[eph94]

The only qualm I have about letting my DS shower naked in public is that it gives the ladies some insight about his dad's, well, anatomy. If the shower water is cold, he's going back to the room dirty.

I never felt this way until my now-retired mother, who worked for over 30 years as a labor & delivery nurse, shared stories about how the other nurses (of course, not her... yeah right) made assumptions about the fathers based on the newborn boy. Good grief.

 

[NZMUM]

It wouldn't have worried me, I probably wouldn't have even registered that they were naked. If they were 7 or 8 I might have noticed.

The thong lady would've been worse, just because I think they look awful.

I wonder how people are going to cope on the Med cruises. I guess there won't be a lot of families going on beach excursions, in case they see naked or topless people.

We were in France last year with DD 9 & DS 6 and they barely noticed the naked people at the beaches, certainly weren't worried about anyone topless.
They didn't even care about the 2 naked guys playing beach tennis. DH & I thought that was a rather dangerous game to be playing .

 

[eph94]

I thought I stated it clearly enough, but as a doctor and a cognitive therapist I know that people interpret other's thoughts and comments through the lens of their own experience. I am not going to challenge your reality; I already see how strongly it caused you to react when I made a little joking response. That indicates that you are attaching something more to this emotionally, and I only go down that route when I am getting $75 an hour.

If you can waive your fee for a moment, so what the heck does it say about me that I'm practically traumatized by your nickname "Black Light Barb" and half a day later I'm still shaking my head at your "untended garden" reference in your blog? The lens from my own experience, eh? I'm afraid that I'm a very troubled person.

 

[woody73]

I find it very interesting that people are concerned about perverts seeing your child at Disney, yet many of you are posting photos of your children with your comments on the world wide web. Interesting.

Very good point! Photos along with names, ages, and hometown.

Woody