You know, the reason some people like going nude, is because of the sense of freedom it offers. Plus, you save a bunch on clothing items!

But I agree with you where you said that it is taboo in Western Culture. But what if it was the norm? What if wearing clothes was considered taboo? If the norm was to walk around with your "bits" hanging out, and someone wore clothes, we would most likely find that sensual and "wrong."

"Oh my God, that person is wearing clothes! Cover your eyes honey!"

True. It seems to me that people (myself included) find wearing a little bit of something more enticing than nothing at all.

I said no for both.

I gotta admit though, the options were pretty limited... While I do not believe the body should be covered up, I think that in this modern world, nakedness is associated with sexual activities.

-Indoril

I think the truth of the matter is that there are far too many possible sides and issues associated to one going nude/topless in todays western culture. I'm not going to say that going naked will invite sex crimes upon a person all the time, however to think that it would not incite it would be silly, especially with how closed in our own society we are.
The problem is, and though I agree with you Lisnuppy, a good portion of society no longer has that self control. Take a very good look at people my age and a little younger, especially the men. Between the ages of 17 and 26, most men dress and act tough, talk trash to others, drink when they want, and find it perfectly acceptible to grab any woman they see or shout at them from cars asking if they want a 'ride' (make of that what you will). It is as said before, a good portion of society, Western mainly, are animals and preffer it, it gives them a feeling of power (falling into your comment earlier, Lis)...and to the people that follow that mentality of society, power and dominance are everything, and most will do anything to show it...be it violating some poor woman who was dressed a little less conservative that normal to go to a club, or some woman who figured she would enjoy the freedoms of a bylaw out this way and walk topless.
It isn't the nudity itself thats the issue, its the compounding faults of society, and the taboos behind revealing ones self.
My comment on nudity still stands, however. People should embrace it for it is them, and them alone that they see and can be viewed as beautiful. Societies failings or not.

Next time you find a woman wearing pants, ask them if they feel liberated in their being allowed to wear pants. At best, you'll probably get a mean look, at worst, you may get slapped, hit, kneed in the groin. However 100 years ago, this question would probably be recieved differently (still maybe hostile, but differently). This is because what was once taboo has now become the norm, so that feeling of liberation, or freedom doesn't really exist as it pertains to those actions. One whole generation grew up with it being acceptable (WWI and WWII era) and two generations have grown up with it being fairly common. The same is true for other taboos which have been accepted by society. Once they have become acceptable, some of the qualities which made that act seem special, or meaningful, went away.

The simple fact of the matter is that clothing for many people, throughout history, was seen as a better alternative than being nude, even before it was mandated by anything we would considder law. Afterall, we as humans, probably spent most of our existance walking around nude, or practically nude, and it wasn't until we traveled to areas with harsh environments (sun, wind, rain, snow) that clothing became a tool of survival. Many people around the world would not survive if they did not have clothing. In the desert it helps retain your moisture and protects your skin, in cold, or significantly elevated areas it keeps you from freezing to death. It is really only in moderate climates, and where mankind is allowed leisure time that clothing is seen as a luxary and a symbol of status. This is why there is a perception of needing clothing in these climates, it helped distinguish between rich and poor. It cost alot to wear clothing, it costs nothing to be naked. Being naked also comes with certain hygene issues, which many commoners aren't capable of handling any way other than wearing clothing. One of the reasons why the black plague ravaged the lower and middle class in europe was because there was so little cleanliness. When people who were better clothed, and maintained a cleaner way of life were less likely to catch the disease, people took notice. Victorian era garb was designed around this premise, it was just explained to people as "modesty", when it was really about wearing clean clothing, and having next to no skin to skin contact with others. Religion afterall tends to be alot more effective, and easier to understand by uneducated masses, than what was at the time, an unexplainable relationship. Would you really want to sit down at a city bus stop when everyone is naked? Even the toilets aren't exactly free from question. Nude beaches, or closed communities are one thing, public places where you have people from all walks of life, and all the diseases they may have is another.

Thousands of years ago, clothing was a form of protection, yes. Sadly, nowadays it has become a social icon. One must dress according to the social "norm." No one wears just jeans and a T-Shirt anymore! It's so complex!

Okay. I am not going to walk up to a woman and ask what you said, because it's just downright rude. I believe in equality between the sexes.


As for your last sentence, what do you mean by, "avoid those who walk down the street with their diseases." ? Are you implying that nudity is "a disease?" (Forgive me for not understanding. My English is not the best at times. ).

Which is exactly the point I was making, and 100 years ago, it would have been an issue since that equallity didn't exist, and was never even considdered by most people. What was taboo has become commonplace, and no longer has the meaning it once had. If nudity, or anything else became common, it too would lose its significance.

And it is not so much a social norm, but a way of presenting ones status within society to those around them. The better dressed you are, the better service you tend to get since people think you have money. Or in some cases, the more "common" you look the more likely you will appear poor, and gain sympathy (car dealerships). And in many cases, it acts as a badge of identification. Take police uniforms for example... Kinda hard to have the same, immediate, reaction to someone who lacks those obvious signs of station. In many cases, you are what you wear.

And in other ways, if we were not judged based on clothing, we would likely be judged based on other things, like anatomy. Nudist colonies are too far removed from the rest of society to be used as an example. They are filled with mostly open minded people who aren't in absolute competition with eachother. The rest of society however is not. Anything which makes you look better, more important than those around you usually results in your benefit. Clothing, as an extention of who you want others to see, is one of the easiest ways of dong this.


What I meant is that in general, you never know what actual (medical) diseases people around you have. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not catch herpies, or god knows what else because I sat in a chair somewhere. Skin to skin contact, even indirect is the main cause of most diseases. There is a reason why most gyms have a policy where people have to wipe off equipment they've used. In the general public there is no policy, and few would follow it if they did. Maybe you just happen to be fortunate enough to live in an area where people actually bother to keep themselves clean... Most however do not.

The focus was lost at some point. The real question as I understood is: Seeing our body at any media, be a game, a movie or anything alike, is something that 'perverts'?

My answer is that is not in 'what', is in 'how' things are taken or done. Excessive puritan education will create non equilibrated people so much as the libertine one does. Maybe more.
The right answer is in the word 'equilibrium', the wrong one is in the word 'exploit'. The worse one is in shaming our nature, if not for another reason than allowing and encouraging that last.

Very well said.

If I see a naked woman just standing there, I will not get turned on or offended.

Now, if that same woman is in some sort of seductive and sultry pose, I am most likely to become aroused.

It's just like art: nude art will not make me "sexually active" unlike pornography.


Very well written nosisab!

The second part of the question has no satisfactory answer. There should be a:

Is the nude human form associated with sexual activities?
Yes, sometimes, and it is natural and should be celebrated.

And yet there is nothing fundimentially seductive about naked mud wrestling. However...

My point being that what can be interpreted as seductive and sultry can vary alot depending on who you ask, and what sort of area they live in. Just as how pornography can have different meanings depending on who you ask. As unthinkable as it might be, to some, the naked form, regardless of context can be seen as pornographic. And while yes, most of those people are the kind that found one good book, and have made it the basis for all their thoughts, they do make this point clear. It is not what the act or thing actually is, but rather how an individual precieves that thing. For those who only see the naked body within the context of sex, they will always make that connection regardless of what else is presented. The sad truth is that as long as there is a population who makes those connections, any sort of doctrine of nudity will be regarded with suspicion. And as it turns out, those people usually either speak the loudest, or commit the most dispicable acts because of those connections.

And while yes, rape is ultimately about power, there is always an aspect of "she looked like she wanted it" which tends to trigger that behavior. Or do you think those people just wake up with the notion of just raping the first woman (or man) they see? There is usually a behavior, or feature which triggers those thoughts. For some, it could be nudity. Just because you don't have that association doesn't mean that there aren't those out there who do, and may act upon it. Nudist colonies aren't there just so that people can be away from any political problems, they're also there to keep most of the dangerous people out. They are closed, organized communities of like minded people... The rest of society is the exact opposite.

Just look around here. Most of the uploaded images containing nudity aren't there for some sort of celebration of the human form (not even close since most body mods emulate something which isn't realistically possible). They're uploaded by people who classify nudity as sex, for other people who classify nudity as sex.

In some parts of the South, being seductive is considered 'slutty', but wearing a pair of shorts that shows my butt is ok ..



The sad part is those are the people who are in charge ..




To some males, we females always look like we want it. Can't change that.

Nudists even have their problems. Most resorts have signs that say something like - "don't do anything in public while nude that you wouldn't do in public with clothes on". Most nudist camps are very strict about what can and cannot be done, and enforce their rules with an iron hand.



And most of the people uploading them are snotnosed adolescents who have never seen a real female naked.

I dont mind the naked body. I just dont care for whoring it off and people having public sex right infront of everyone. Keep the dirtiness in the bedroom, but the "natural" stuff is alright with me.

I agree, Kresselack.

That public stuf is really 'gross' sometimes.

i don't want to answer the poll because the second question is problematic.

Of course the naked body is associated with sexual activity... not that there is anything wrong with that.

But if everyone was naked all the time I think we would just become desensitized and we would no longer associate it with sexual activity... the porn industry would take a dive. and body language would be much easier to read. The transition faze would be... troubled to say the least. and I live in a place that hits -20... nakedness would be a good sign of insanity here.

Rambling... the naked body is what THE VIEWER makes of it. its not like every naked body is having sex with every other naked body. just that we cover them up so much the only time we generally see them is when we WANT to have sex. Now what is more shameful? the naked body, or lust that makes you WANT to see someone naked?

I was all set to agree with you until that last line. Neither are shameful, I would say.

yeah i find nothing wrong with lust or nudity myself (in fact i find them quite enjoyable sometimes) I'm just attempting to point to the crux of the issue. that people are not offended by nudity itself but rather are agitated by there own reactions to it (which i guess is the definition of "offense") the people who are comfortable with nudity are probably the most well adjusted.

(god that last part was just begging to get flamed wasn't it!)

Lets say I had a nasty skin irritation on my buttocks. I dont think most want to see that. Some people who are self-concious about their weight usually wear more clothing and would not like to reveal themselves. Very few consider an obese nudist "natural" and "artistic."

Except it is. And if you take art classes, those are the sorts of people you're likely to be drawing and painting. First one has to get over the aversion to nudity in general, then one can get over the aversion to less-than-ideal appearances and see the art. One does not need to find someone attractive to be comfortable with nudity. I personally am fine with seeing both sexes nude, though I am not bisexual. I've seen all shapes and sizes, and I've not only lived to tell about it, but I advocate getting over any aversion people may have to it.

Actually, I do just wear a t-shirt and jeans.

I believe that the human body is a beautiful creation.You celebrate it how you chose to. I dress to impress,when going out with friends. I'm young, attractive ( so I've been told,not my opinion of myself) and I like sex. I don't care if someone doesn't like what I'm wearing because no one anywhere has the right to judge me by their moral standards.I'm open about my sexuality and I like exposing parts of my body in a mature and sensual way because I see no shame in that.Look at all the mediums that use the female body and the male body as an art form.

Its only certain people who are unhappy about themselves that see it as wrong, and these are the same ones usually doing things behind closed doors that I would find disgusting.
You don't like it,just don't look at it.
And I think that pedophiles are disgusting.

Finally, someone I can agree with in full.

OT: Something tells me that after this post you will receive thousands visits on your profile

This is for girls, and i totally agree that the beauty of female body should be highlighted in any case and in any way, cute and less cute girls should always apply their fantasy in dressing.
Personally i prefer girls that wear something sexy but personal, without following too many trends.

For boys is different. an extreme care of the body as the woman does is something that i find both boring and pathetic. I don't know what is the common opinion around here, but i think that girls have more than one standard for this.

The human body is a beautiful thing to behold! Does a rose not draw your eye toward it? A colorful bird? Every creature in the world ,there are a few exceptions has some way of attracting the opposite and in the human races case,the same, sex by doing something or having wonderful colors. The exotic birds of the Pacific Islands are a great example. There is nothing wrong with the human body,the problem is those that think there is.
I have the right to dress as I please as fully or scantily as I chose. You want to cover your body fine,I hate tan lines...oops I'm already brown, but you see my point. If not thats to bad!

Just as an aside, that's not limited to humans. Homosexuality and bisexuality is common in the rest of the animal kingdom as well.

Since a few of you have admitted that expressing sexuality and the alike is such a beautiful thing, then how would you react if I knocked on your front door in complete nude to say hello. "hello dont mind the dangly bits I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar." I can understand tolerating affection, but when some act like a whore, it becomes a little too much.

A painting of a naked person - Alright

Two modest people nude in the forest - Alright

Nudists showing freedom and individuality - Alright

Two people making a child - Alright

Two people having dirty sex in all positions infront of a crowd - Too far over the line

I don't recall "admitting" anything. This is not something that's drawn out of me only under duress, but rather something that I state plainly and loudly.

Although your examples are intentionally extreme and provocative, as well as weighted with negative language, I'll nevertheless attempt to give a rational answer. You, or anyone else, appearing naked at my door for some sugar would strike me as unusual around here, perhaps just as much for the fact that I haven't seen a stranger come to my door to borrow baking ingredients for over a decade. But if it became a fairly regular occurrence, what do you think? I'd no longer find it unusual. I don't think you're likely to have anything I haven't seen before. And if you do, then my reaction would have little to do with the nudity.

I would say that a person is no more ugly or attractive with or without his or her clothes on. The same is true of poor basic hygiene. I've been around some people who smelled horrible, and indeed, they had their clothes on. That's a separate issue. If we're talking solely about reactions to the normal, undisfigured human body, what's the problem? I saw the movie 28 Days Later a few days ago, which I did not know contained full frontal male nudity (and rear), but I did not feel any need to comment on it, nor avert my eyes, and it did not scar me for life. The girl I was watching it with made a comment to the effect of "They sure like showing him naked," but only after the second time.

I would be curious to know your definition of "dirty sex", as opposed to, perhaps, clean sex. Is all non-reproductive sex "dirty" to you, or is it only because it was in more than one position (does the position really make any difference?) or is that all irrelevant and it's the public aspect that earns it the "dirty" designation? At any rate, I don't believe I ever advocated people having sex in the town square, which would clearly be for exhibitionistic purposes. In the woods, where you're not disturbing anyone with the noise or distracting drivers, why not? People do it. In general, I prefer a bed, but that's me.

I believe all my answeres pertained to the beauty of the human body. While I have had sex outdoors,it was never in front of a crowd,sorry I draw the line at some things,and yes,I'm not a whore...imagine that!
The human body is the peak of its form for now. Will we evolve, sure, eventually.but why do people feel the need to judge others by their clothing or lack off?
I could care less if your nude,semi-nude, fully clothed, stc.
If you were to show up at my door nude, depending on how you look, you'd definately get 'some sugar'

First, I would like to say that I did not intend on offending anybody, and I was merely stating my opinion.


Thank you for enlightening me. Now I understand how much enough is enough. Everybody has their limits. The "extreme" examples were merely hypothetical and to see what people's limits are, and how they view those situations. Im not against nudity and sex, I just dont need to have it pushed too far.

I took nothing personal from your statement. I voiced my opinion to a lot of the posts,and had no intention of making you feel as if you were the one I wrote too. Sorry, Dezi

I don't agree with any of the options in the vote.

I think the human body can potentially be sexual, but that doesn't make it shameful. I think as humans we must cover ourselves because we could be subject to our desires. I don't want to get into religion or anything, but I just want to say that in MY OPINION, we should only reveal ourselves to our spouses. Animals can run around naked because they don't have desires. They only have the needs that are forced upon them due to their nature.

I could continue on this topic but its 5am and my child just woke up, so goodnight. Or good morning rather.

Being the highest form of "animal" on the planet, the need to procreate drives us also.I too want to stay away from religion,its "man made".
Belief in something other or more is personnal
But as animals we follow a driving force and its a scientific fact that the higher animal forms have sex for pleasure and even masturbate for the same reason!.
We have intelligence, but the right or wrong of nudity again comes down to what one person prefers over another...there is no correct answer to this question only varied opinions, of which I've just voiced mine again!

Wow, this has relly taken off. I'm impressed.

There are so many good opinions here! This is the kind of debate that I like!

I agree and disagree with several of these new opinions.

Will write more later. Limited internet.

Cheers from down-under,
gman021

I find that in my opinion, nudity is alright. The female body is beautiful and should not be taken for granted or lightly. This is why I find that women are the true rulers of the world.

The naked body is such a thing of beauty.

Indeed. You are truely a very wise man

It is a beautiful thing, I will agree.

I think that when then subject gets brought up, we have the issue of morality. Looking at naked bodies is by many religions, doctrines, and most of society, immoral. So it is my opinion that it's not an issue of being pretty, but rather a moral issue.

Immoral in the eyes of religious doctrine I can see, but immoral in the eyes of most of society? I find that hard to believe.

I believe people(Including Children shouldn't) run around in public wearing absolutely nothing..
In the confinement of a persons own home, then they can be wearing nothing whenever they please.

As for nude beaches.. Well, its up to 1000s of people on that beach if they want to be nude or not, its not against any law in the world that people must be in the nude on that beach.

But yeah, the female body is a VERY beautiful thing, I'll agree with that ALL the way.

--

The more,, offtopic, but still on nudity that I'd like to add

I don't agree with nudity in games like Oblivion and Morrowind. Reason being is because it allows the users to develop an.. "Insecurity" which definately was not intended by Bethesda. No offence to anyone who create them though. Some of them are very good mods however, but I have never actually bothered to use them, or rate them in my game just because of what I believe.

Mods like them make ESRB or whatever, blow their stack and hurl tonnes of abuse at the game creators because of the mods.

I believe people(Including Children shouldn't) run around in public wearing absolutely nothing..
In the confinement of a persons own home, then they can be wearing nothing whenever they please.

As for nude beaches.. Well, its up to 1000s of people on that beach if they want to be nude or not, its not against any law in the world that people must be in the nude on that beach.

Yes, the female body is an incredibly beautiful thing

--

The more,, offtopic, but still on nudity that I'd like to add

I don't agree with nudity in games like Oblivion and Morrowind. Reason being is because it allows the users to develop an.. "Insecurity" which definately was not intended by Bethesda. No offence to anyone who create them though. Some of them are very good mods however, but I have never actually bothered to use them, or rate them in my game just because of what I believe.

Mods like them make ESRB or whatever, blow their stack and hurl tonnes of abuse at the game creators because of the mods.

Children nude...absolutely not!. But as an adult, no one has the right to push their moral judgements on me. If the fact of nudity bothers you,thats your choise.Don't go to nude beaches or to places where nudity is accepted,and in some cases charished.
I don't care if you want to wear clothing, so don't tell me I don't have the right to wear sexy or revealing clothing or to go topless or nude. IY's my choice, not yours. Your hang-ups on nudity and your moral dilemma are yours and yours alone. I'm attractive, have a nice body and I'm only on this planet one time!!! So guess what. I'm living and enjoying life to the fullest. No regrets when I get old, and no "gosh, I wish I had done that when I had the chance to"
Again this is directed at no-one, so please don't get on your high-horse and take offense to what I said!

I have nothing against people in the nude at all, nothing against people who want to be nude either. As I said thats their personal choice

But I don't agree with people walking around streets in the nude, but beaches, swimming pools don't bother me if people are nude or not, and children SHOULD NEVER be nude in either of the locations.

I know some countries such as Egypt take personal offence if people are on the beaches or walking around the streets in the nude. Which, that is their culture and law.

Dezdimona, Nobody has the right to make your choices for you, or decide what clothing you wear or when you go naked. Its all basic freedom, which EVERYBODY is entitled to.

Thanks,and I would never violate the laws of any country,and never walk down a steet nude. There are those that take things to the extreme and in doing so make all look bad that enjoy it!*hugs*

Okay...about to enter the big taboo of our age: children nude, or naked. Either im having deja vu, again , or i have commented on this somewhere else.

I seem to remember drawing a distinction between 'naked' as a sort of active word, and 'nude' as the passive. As it pertains to children, i will use nude. I have a ton of neices and nephews, and all have gone on beach holidays throughout all their ages. And they were nude pretty much the whole time, til puberty. So they have grown up thinking nothing of being unclothed in public. And i think they're better off for it.

This isnt strictly on topic, but just how far do we, as a culture, and a society, at least here in the west, allow the perverts to govern what should be absolutely natural activities? In this case, children being allowed to run around in the nude, in public, and in front of other people not related to them. Though, the whole 'perverts rule' thing applies equally to adult nudity, as well.

I, for one, dont always want to have my life governed by the lowest common denominator. In this case, what a pervert may or may not be getting off on by seeing me, or mine, nude. If your aesthetics are grossed out by seeing me, a late middle aged, somewhat overweight, long haired man nude, fair enough. I may not like your six pack. Or your shaved head. But those are just our likes and dislikes.

Let us not give any more way to the pervs!

That sounds reasonable... It recalls to mind a quote I heard from somewhere... "I am so tired of rearranging my life around what the stupidest people MIGHT do!" (Modify the word "stupidest" to whatever applies.)

Hahahahahaha


Yup! up with country girls!

i totallyagree with you , as long it is at a nude beach its fine by me. i have the choice weather to see it or not....Unlike flashers who enjoy revealing them selfs on purpose to freak you out for their sick pleasures.

I've posed in the nude for a professional Photographer,and see nothing wrong in it. The photos are tastefully done and classy!. I celibrate the human body in all its beauty and do not believe that it wrong to enjoy one of the most beautiful forms of life on the planet!

Einstein was right in more ways than he intended when he said that all things are relative.

Here in Brazil, we see much more skin that in the US. Beachwear is very small. Advertisement on TV, outdoors and magazines have lots of revealing skin. Nipples and pubic area always covered, thou.

I knew an American professional that refused to be transferred to Brazil because he didn’t want his children exposed to so much skin.

And many of my friends would never live in Tahiti, because they consider topless as shameful (and it seems it is commonplace there).

On the extremes, I suppose there should be Tahitian families that would never live somewhere where full nudity is normal. And there must be a lot of families in Middle East that would never live in America, as American women run around with ‘naked’ faces.

I'm nude in front of my PC, is anyone offended?