The Naked Truth: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Nudism And Nudity Within Families?

My best friend throughout primary school always went camping with her family nearly all summer long — and when I was invited to join them one year, I was thrilled to spend the holidays with my best bud! The campsite had a lot of awesome amenities. You could bring your own tent or rent a cabin, which my friend’s family had, and there was a lake to swim in or go boating on, as well as a few shops and a restaurant. Along with, of course, a fair bit of semi-wild nature.

To be honest, I didn’t care at all and was just looking forward to a cool summer break. I’ve got to say though, that some of the things I saw there are still stuck in my mind — specifically, buying popsicles that swung way too close to by the seller’s man bits, and my mother taking her own clothes off when she came to visit to pick me up from the camp. I remember that it struck me as odd that this seemed to be the only place where you had to take clothes off, rather than dressing up, to fit in. While the experience was in no way scarring, it was a little strange to me.

Over the years, SteadyHealth readers have asked variations of the question of whether nudity is OK within families raising kids more often than I can remember. Is it cool to get changed in the same pool dressing room with your opposite-sex toddler? When should parents stop bathing with their kids, if they should ever start? Is it a big deal if mom or dad runs down to the bathroom in the middle of the night with no clothes on, and their grade school child sees them?

Nudism in families: More than the absence of clothes?

In all societies, nudity and clothing alike come with social connotations. Modern western society has a tendency to see nakedness as being in some way sexual — yet we also all know that some clothing styles are designed to be much more erotic than pure nakedness could ever be. The idea that nudity is somehow shameful is, research reveals, likely linked to the Judeo-Christian belief system, and specifically the story of Adam and Eve.

In past and present societies that don’t have any baggage relating to this particular story, nudity or near-nudity can very much simply exist. It’s no more than the absence of clothing, or it’s actually not at all significant because it’s normal. Nudity isn’t inherently shameful at all, and many tribes across the globe make this perfectly clear.

Parents raising children in modern western societies are raising children who will become familiar with the cultural norms surrounding nudity, however. Nudism can become strange because others make it so, because western civilization sexualized nudity at some point.

Research has shown that western culture normalizes non-sexual nudity mainly in certain specific settings. They include:

• Showers and locker rooms, specifically in the context of sports.
• In the sauna.
• Groups of girls of women getting dressed up together in preparation for a party or social event.
• Art, as an observer.
• At the doctor's office if needed.

Those settings are rather limited. If you practice nudism in a western context, and you also have children, you will be the odd one out — unless you live in northern Europe, perhaps.

Long-term studies have shown that there is nothing inherently harmful about children witnessing nudity within their parents or other relatives in early childhood, however. With discussion about sexual assault becoming increasingly open in the modern world, that topic will come to mind quite often when thinking of nudity or nudism in families, but the fact is that nakedness in no way has to imply sexuality.

In fact, children who are comfortable around nudity have been found to have reduced risks of getting STDs, getting pregnant in adolescence or getting someone else pregnant. Could that be because witnessing the normal human body without clothes removes some of the mystery that might otherwise surround it? Without taboo, nakedness is not an exciting forbidden fruit but simply a person not wearing any clothes.

Plus, regular nudity may have side benefits like a reduced risk of skin rashes caused by friction resulting from sweaty clothes or allergies to laundry detergents, and if you go outside naked, extra vitamin D. Many people report that nudism benefits their mental health too, as it makes them feel free and connected to nature.

Pitfalls to watch out for when practicing nudism in families

If nudity is a normal, everyday, part of your culture, you are unlikely to scar your children if you’re naked around them. To my friend, the place I thought of as the "nudist camp" was simply "summer vacation", and my giggles about seeing people's bodies didn't impress her at all. I, on the other hand, think nothing about people quickly getting changed, while others might. Your thoughts around nudity are based on the cultural values you are exposed to. 

If you are a nudist and you have kids, it's a good idea to discuss that with them as they grow older. Put on clothes if they are uncomfortable, and as soon as they are old enough, allow them to decide whether or not to come to that nudist pool or camp.