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For Every Naked Kid, There's An Adult With a But
Perspective depends on family, age
By Sarah Quinn
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Posted Jul 16, 09 12:50 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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When does a child’s naked bottom go from cute to inappropriate? Depends who’s judging, the New York Times reports. In some families, nudity is no big deal. “It’s a stage he’s going through, and he’ll grow out of it," says the dad of a 4-year-old who likes to watch TV sans pants. Often, grandparents have a harder time accepting clothes-free kids.
If people have a strong reaction, it sometimes “tells us about their own hang-ups, their own inner conflicts,” says one psychologist; cultural values are another factor. In terms of how kids feel, parents’ attitudes make the biggest difference. And most kids start to feel modesty by age 3 or 4 either way.