Naked as a Jay Bird!

[mkycrzy1971]

In an ideal world a child predator would have nothing to do with it...but unfortunately we live in a world where there are child predators, maybe not on every corner but certainly in places where our children go. Think of Megan Kanka, the killer was her neighbor and I'll never forget that in his confession he said that he was aroused by seeing her in shorts damn sicko...

It's not parents who have sexualized children, it's an unfortunate reality that parents have to deal with. I can't tell you how choked up and furious I feel to think that some pervert is looking at my kids in a sexual way, and I can't imagine how it feels to parents like Megan's, or the parents of Polly Klaas or Elizabeth Smart.

Letting kids free to be kids would be wonderful and if we can find safe places for that it's great. I wish WDW were one of those places but unfortunately it's not. There was a story in May about a predator at the Swan luring kids into the bushes.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1446761

I live in a suburb of 18000 people and there are 4 registerd sex offenders on the state registry...of course that's not counting the ones who haven't been caught, and these are in "nice" neighborhoods too, white picket fences, the whole bit. And every year we get at least 2 letters from our school district warning us that a stranger in a black/silver/whatever car was trying to lure kids into the car.
Here are some links to studies on the prevalence of child abuse.
http://www-ec.njit.edu/~newrev/v2s3/elli/abuse_assault.htm



Well said...I agree

Feel lucky!!! I live in a town of 9000 people and there are 41 people on the sex offender registry!!! That is in the town alone...there are 59 in the entire county....And this is a town with an Ivy League College....pretty nice not some "trashy town in the hills" as you would expect! Needless to say, my children do not wander too far from home even at ages 10 and 15...to think I used to ride my bike or walk for miles away from home when I was this age makes me wonder what the world will be like when my kids have kids Very sad!!

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I didn't read the whole post so sorry if I am repeating things....

When I am in Germany visiting my friend I see naked kids running around a lot. At the pool I'd say half of the kids were naked. They look maybe age 6 and under. My friend tells me that is completely normal and she wouldn't think twice about it.

Maybe this family was from another country where that is normal?

 

[mkycrzy1971]

I didn't read the whole post so sorry if I am repeating things....

When I am in Germany visiting my friend I see naked kids running around a lot. At the pool I'd say half of the kids were naked. They look maybe age 6 and under. My friend tells me that is completely normal and she wouldn't think twice about it.

Maybe this family was from another country where that is normal?

This may be true (as posted earlier, I do not have a problem with children running around "free" in the appropriate places...not in public)...however, it is kind of like what I say about immigrants (my family arrived in the US from France in 1896 and followed this logic, so I am NOT being insensitive)....they need to learn what is expected (acceptable/unacceptable) in our culture and be respectful of that....my family came to this country not knowing much English....they learned it very quickly and NEVER spoke French outside of their home because they felt it showed disrespect to our country (they did not want to be seen that way...they were very thankful to be able to come to America)....they also followed the way of our culture and HELD JOBS to support themselves....if only this logic were followed today....not only in the US but in all countries...cultural sensitivity & manners go a long way in my opinion....just because it is acceptable in other countries does not mean that it is here in the US.

Something for everyone to think about that (especially if you think we should accept behaviors from people just because they are acceptable in other parts of the world)....should we "behead" those we think have done something wrong as they do in other parts of the world???

 

[klineyqueen]

We were just at BB and there was a girl who was about 8 years old playing in the wave pool wearing nothing but white underwear. My DH thought it was way too strange so we just moved. I would not let my kids play naked..it just isn't our thing.

 

[NotUrsula]

Doesn't bother me a bit at that age, except for the issue of sunburn risk. However, I do carry water clothes for my kids to play in fountains in, just because there are so many prudish people in this country who are liable to make a scene about the state of a child's dress. (However, at that age I discreetly change their clothes off to the side -- I can't see unnecessarily taking up a bathroom stall for the purpose when it is a simple matter of wrapping them in a towel and putting them between me and a bush for the few minutes it takes to get their dry clothes on.)

As to the whole predator thing, I don't personally see it as an issue in circumstances such as these. I decided a LONG time ago that I am NOT going to worry about being responsible for what other people are thinking, even if they have twisted minds. Actions are worth my concern, mere thoughts are not. As long as I am closely supervising my prepubescent children and know that no one is touching them or speaking to them inappropriately, then it just isn't a problem; I don't see how they could be harmed if someone that passes by happens to have untoward thoughts. Even photos are not harmful, IMO, unless they have been photoshopped or something -- a photo of a kid playing in a fountain is a photo of a kid playing in a fountain; it isn't going to become a potentially traumatizing pornographic image simply because it has ended up on a site that caters to the fantasies of perverts.

People with unusual tastes can have fetishes about just about ANYTHING; even burkhas and religious' habits. IMO, making a production of hiding from their eyes whilst doing perfectly innocent things is a waste of effort, and frightens children unnecessarily. Lots of folks will disagree with my comfort level on this topic, and that's OK by me; you have as much right to be hyper-vigilant about your own kids as I have to be laissez-faire about mine.

 

[freepixie]

I am a preschool teacher, and let me tell you, I have seen more than my fair share of the 3-4-5 year old occasional streak!

I don't know, I think its really a personality thing - some kids love to be naked and others want to be covered at all times (even to the point of wearing warm clothes in the summer).

I had a child in my room this past year that hated underpants and tried to go commando every day without them. When I would catch her, I'd call her mom and mom was very good about bringing extras to school. However, this child hid all the extra underpants her mom kept bringing in! What was the hardest part was that mom usually sent her in little dresses and skirts

 

[rosiep]

The nakedness doesn't offend me in any way, I wish we would all get over that. The bad parenting and disrepect shown to the facilities by those peeing out in the parking lot is what offends me.

Oh me too, me too! I hate how nakedness is always associated with sex. Pooh! As for the peeing, geez, use the toilet please.

 

[brandylouwho]

I don't know, I think its really a personality thing - some kids love to be naked and others want to be covered at all times (even to the point of wearing warm clothes in the summer).

:

I agree, my little brother was the skin baring type. I remember my horror when I was watching him play in one of those ball pits (at a hotel in the swimming area). He was about 3 or 4, jumping around and I looked at him and thought, "he's not naked is he?" about 2 seconds later some other kids starting laughing and shouting..he WAS naked. Never did find that swim suit... I was embarassed, but it was rather funny and completely innocent.

I guess I wouldn't be offended to see a preschooler hopping around a fountain with nothing on. IMHO it is nothing to freak out about.

Then again, I find it interesting how prudish we Americans can be at times. I blame the Puritans (I blame them for the working 24-7, little or no paid vacation work ethic too).

And as far as foreigners following our customs... I can agree with that point too, but many probably don't know all of our many customs --how would they unless someone told them? Once someone does tell them , I would hope they oblige.

 

[rentayenta]

The nakedness doesn't offend me in any way, I wish we would all get over that. The bad parenting and disrepect shown to the facilities by those peeing out in the parking lot is what offends me.

Ditto!

 

[U2_rocks!]

And as far as foreigners following our customs... I can agree with that point too, but many probably don't know all of our many customs --how would they unless someone told them? Once someone does tell them , I would hope they oblige.

Exactly! It's different for foreigners who move to the U.S. to live - they will learn what's acceptable and what's not. But how does a foreigner on a 10 day holiday know all the subtle American cultural things? Please, cut them some slack!

 

[Maine-iac]

Is it sanitary? Are the fountains treated with chemicals like swimming pools are? Some of the naked kids may not be potty trained.

 

[mkycrzy1971]

If I were going to another country I would certainly do some research to find out what cultural differences there were between that country and my own (and also what is acceptable and unacceptable)...it would only make sense.

I completely understand a child undressing without the attending adult realizing it sometimes (what toddler doesn't??) but to intentionally undress your child and allow him to "frolic" with the other clothed children in a public area....come on...it would not take a rocket scientist to figure out no one else is undressed....again, I say it is all about respect to the country in which you are visiting....Too many visitors take the US for granted and treat their right to visit disprespectfully in my opinion (Again, as posted before, my family arrived in the US in 1896...I am a decendant of immigrants that would do anything to fit into society in the US...including learning a new language and NEVER using their native tongue in public and starting with nothing but the clothing on their back and working for everything they had).

Also, a parent can never be too careful....you only get one chance to preserve your child's innocence before it is gone forever...a life long sentence that some victims never get over....what would you think if you or a friend/family member accidentally came across a nude picture of your son/daughter on a child porn site??? Anykind of a parent would feel sick to know that they were responsible for being so gullible as to allow their child to be in a situation where a "sicko" could expose them in such a way...if you do not think you would feel this way, maybe you should reevaluate your parenting. I use the rule that in public we use a private facility to change, potty, etc....my son has a hard time trying to figure out why he cannot pee on the tree in the parking lot at the mall!!!

 

[Taqwus]

I do find this remark very rude and racist/bigotted/discriminatory

Feel lucky!!! I live in a town of 9000 people and there are 41 people on the sex offender registry!!! That is in the town alone...there are 59 in the entire county....And this is a town with an Ivy League College....pretty nice not some "trashy town in the hills" as you would expect!

What does rich vs poor have to do with how likely you are to be one

 

[mkycrzy1971]

I do find this remark very rude and racist/bigotted/discriminatory



What does rich vs poor have to do with how likely you are to be one

My apologies...that is NOT how I intended for it to sound...I am simply saying you can never be too careful...most people think a nice, upscale town with an Ivy League College to be a safe environment....my point is no matter how rich, poor, nice, clean, pricey, etc. the town sexual predators are a fact of life and we should NEVER let our guard down...our children only have us to protect them...if they cannot count on their parents who, then, can they count on to keep them safe??? Also, I find it bizarre that such a small town has such a high ratio of sexual predators....don't you??? Sorry for the misunderstanding...

 

[crusoe2]

Perhaps they were from another country and I understand that foreign visitors might make a faux pas because they don't know what is acceptable here. But the fact that all the other kids had their clothes on should have made it easy to see what was expected. I find it rude and offensive when foreign visitors think that it is ok to ignore our customs. I've heard and read many times about "rude/ignorant Americans" being laughed at or criticized for not knowing the customs of the foreign countries they visit. If we're expected to know and follow their's, they should know and follow ours.

 

[allyphoe]

Is it sanitary? Are the fountains treated with chemicals like swimming pools are? Some of the naked kids may not be potty trained.

Yes, the fountains have treated water.

As far as potty-training, naked's got nothing to do with that. "My kid wears a swim diaper" is equivalent to "My kid pees in the pool" - swim diapers are made to control solid waste, not liquid (otherwise they'd swell up and explode just like "normal" diapers do in the pool). I personally would rather share a pool with a naked diaper-age kid than a clothed preschooler who takes care of their own "paperwork."

(My kid pees in the toilet before she goes in the fountain, despite being potty-trained for more than a year - running water is a strong reflex trigger, and naked still doesn't have anything to do with that.)

 

[mkycrzy1971]

I understand that visitors from other countries might make a faux pas because they don't know what is acceptable. But the fact that all the other kids had their clothes on should have made it easy to see what was expected. I find it rude and offensive when foreign visitors think that it is ok to ignore our customs. I've heard and read many times about "rude/ignorant Americans" being laughed at or criticized for not knowing the customs of the foreign countries they visit. If we're expected to know and follow their's, they should know and follow ours.

AMEN!!! Before I begin, let me just say this...Do not get me wrong....I am for immigration and people bettering their lives, but it should be done the proper way and immigrants should conform to the ways of the US...we should not be forced to conform to their ways...Now, back to the above quote....also, while they are learning our customs, they should also learn to speak/read English and use ONLY English when in public....I am very sorry if this offends some people, but, as Americans, we are expected to learn the language of other countries we visit...why should it be different for visitors/immigrants that come to our country??? It is offensive to me when I am in a public place and I have to look around to find a sign in ENGLISH---can you believe that!!?? I do not know about everyone else, but in today's violent/terrorist society, when I am in a public place and someone starts speaking another language that I do not understand, I begin to get very nervous (as I sure citizens of other countries would if I were there speaking English and they did not understand me)...my thoughts turn to "are they going to rob/bomb/kill or do something else violent or are they just having a friendly conversation??"....I know it is wrong to feel this way, but I truly feel like it is disrespectful to the citizens of the US for others to do this. I cannot help thinking back to the 1800's and early 1900's when people thought coming to this country (to visit or live) was a "privledge"...not a "right"....my family had to have a US citizen sponsor them ensuring that they would become a productive citizen of this country(1896) and there was no welfare if you failed you were sent back....guess what, they followed the rules and became productive citizens (speaking only English in public)..that is something to be proud of....just my 2cents....again, I agree with immigration...I just believe that certain protocal should be followed when it comes to it.

 

[Katnmouse]

Like others have said, little nude children don't offend me, but I also know that it could be quite an "eye opening" sight for children witnessing the same thing (especially for kids who have never seen the opposite sex au naturale)

Now the public peeing is absolutely unacceptable. It is not about the size or age of the pee-er. It is unsanitary and gross. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sit on the sidewalk to await a parade again. There is no excuse - cultural or otherwise - to be in a public place and treat it as your personal potty. YUCK!

 

[mkycrzy1971]

Like others have said, little nude children don't offend me, but I also know that it could be quite an "eye opening" sight for children witnessing the same thing (especially for kids who have never seen the opposite sex au naturale)

Now the public peeing is absolutely unacceptable. It is not about the size or age of the pee-er. It is unsanitary and gross. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sit on the sidewalk to await a parade again. There is no excuse - cultural or otherwise - to be in a public place and treat it as your personal potty. YUCK!

Can you imagine having to worry about sitting on the curb waiting for the parade and your child playing in what you "think" is water and it turning out to be a pool of urine!!! I would have to run right to the resort to "sanitize" my child!!! Poor kid would probably be "beet" red from the scrubbing...

 

[Katnmouse]

I personally would rather share a pool with a naked diaper-age kid than a clothed preschooler who takes care of their own "paperwork."

One of our teachers (kindergarten) had a student bring his "paperwork" back to the classroom to show what a good job he had done.