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For Every Naked Kid, There's An Adult With a But

Perspective depends on family, age

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
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(Newser) – 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.

Letting a child frolic naked is fine by some parents, but doesn't sit well with others.
Letting a child frolic naked is fine by some parents, but doesn't sit well with others.   (Flickr)
For some kids, getting dressed gets associated with something they don?t want to do, like eating their veggies, one professor says.
"For some kids, getting dressed gets associated with something they don?t want to do, like eating their veggies," one professor says.   (Flickr)
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I just don’t think it’s acceptable in popular culture. Americans have a sense that the body is very private. You don’t talk about these things openly. Nudity is hush-hush. - Katarzyna Psujek, a New Yorker
of Polish descent whose 3-year-old son
is often naked

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
marca17
Jul 17, 2009 3:56 AM CDT
why do people always type um?
GreekChorus
Jul 17, 2009 2:42 AM CDT
Not true; in fact there may not even *be* a single correct or acceptable code.
Netstorm2k10
Jul 16, 2009 8:57 AM CDT
I've got four kids, and all of them went through a nude phase. Kids don't like to wear clothes, and to be honest, who can blame them?

 
parenting • nudity • children

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