Why are people, mostly America, so against nudity?

[marebear22]

I can understand not being comfortable with the kind of nudity that's in a Hustler magazine. Girl all spread out in a sexualized position. But why are people such prudes when it comes to naked body in general? Its our natural form. The way we were brought into the world. Why is it so "dirty" to most people? When did society deem it appropriate to show certain areas of the body and not others? If a girl is wearing an outfit that is revealing then she is automatically seen as a s**t or that she's just trying male attention. Why can't it be that she is comfortable with her body? Why is it on her that others may have sexual thoughts when they look at her? And why is it that women's nipples are censored but not men's? They are the same exact thing except women have more fatty tissue in that area. We try to tell people to be happy and accepting of their bodies but then tell them that they have to keep them covered. Doesn't make sense. We are more open and accepting of violence in America then we are nudity. How is that right?

[TadCurious]

I totally agree with you on this issue. It's really irrational the hangups Americans have with the human body. Part of it probably goes back to the Puritan influence that spread from New England to other parts of the country. Part of it goes back to the writings of St. Paul, who was really hung up on stuff like this. But whatever the reason, the Europeans are much healthier than we are when it comes to nudity. The people who are so hung up on nudity are the ones that sexualize nudity, not those who go to nude beaches and naturist resorts. To them, there's a big difference between simple nudity and sex. And if I'm not mistaken, the Euros have lower rates of teen pregnancy than we do in the U.S. And Europe there are lots of places to be nude in social settings.

[ObscuredBeyond]

Nudity can be very unsanitary. On top of that, it invites thinking of someone in needlessly overly sexual ways. Countries filled with minds completely given over to that, however, tend to think they have a right to such an intrusive look upon others. Because it's hard to fill the mind with anything else once those boundaries are crossed.

In America, there is a battle between trying to respect the old boundaries and what-not I mentioned on one hand, and the opposite extreme that wants to turn everything and everyone into a Hustler magazine 24/7.

Whenever one side gains too much ground, the other fires back in a raging storm.

[jacquesvol]

Clothing can be just as sexually suggestive as simple nudity. Or even more.

[marebear22]

But why is it the responsibility of the nude person that someone else can't look at them without thinking something sexual. Who established that breasts needed to be covered but not legs. Why are breasts and the pelvic area more sexual appealing than the rest of the body?

[jacquesvol]

"Nudity can be very unsanitary" Feel free to explain.

[jacquesvol]

Asker, in the 19th century legs too had to be covered (even piano legs, I read) In Saudi Arabia and Iran women have to hide their hear. And in Afghanistan women have to hide their face. Is that the way America should go?

[jacquesvol]

Edit: their haIr.

[knotme]

They are raised to be modest, and to show your body for everyone to see, is not seen as a social norm. That is not the only thing a lot of America's look down upon. Its mostly anything that's dealing with the body; sex is another.

[jacquesvol]

'modest' with a deep cleavage. ;-)

[Distant]

Because most of the people are Conservative or church-bound. They tell us nudity is bad so most people think it's bad. If they told us it was good, people would think it's good. It's all about media and societal pressure.

[marebear22]

I am a Christian myself. Obviously I'm not perfect, but I still don't get the hang up with nudity. In the Bible Adam and Eve didn't become ashamed of their nudity until they ate the apple. Then they took it upon themselves to cover up. It wasn't even God that said they needed to cover up.

[Distant]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the religion itself is the reason for the taboo of nudity. Although, the church is behind many cultural norms whether we'd like to admit it or not. For example, some towns are not allowed to have strip clubs because the church does not allow it.

[marebear22]

Oh I know. The town I work in won't allow liquor to be sold on Sundays.

[Distant]

Exactly!

[jacquesvol]

18th-19th century Christians decided nudity was unchristian. (to distinguish themselves from unclothed pagans in Africa and Southern America?

[martyfellow]

Most of the people in the US are overweight and don't look good! The ones that look good are mostly the Asians and culturally they are generally modest...!!!

[ZEDA_X]

i can't rate this but d give it 10 rating:)

[SüßeJäger]

I don't have a problem with adults that want to be naked but it should be in a designated place. I wouldn't personally be comfortable with it.

[RedThread]

She wasn't talking about walking around naked in public. She was talking about how we censor nudity but not violence. She also talked about the gender bias with fashion and nudity as well. Why is it so I important that we don't have nudity on tv but all forms of violence are okay?

[RedThread]

I never said you were uneducated or a hick either so I have no idea why you would assume I think less of you for not sharing my opinion.

[SüßeJäger]

There is nudity on TV as well as all forms of violence. Some channels do not because they want to be more family friendly and others want to be more for adults. Why is it bad to have both ways? You can watch what you want and my kids can watch a program with no violence or nudity? Your are happy and so am I. What is wrong with that? The same goes for clothing. Why not dress reserved in public so those people (children) don't have to see what they don't want to see? If you want to be naked or less dressed in public there are places you can be that way. I don't want my children exposed to nudity or violence in real life or TV.

[RedThread]

I understand that but I feel that it should be personal responsibility for us to parental lock channels instead of the government censoring or preventing certain things. But that's beyond the scope of this question at this point. What I was talking about though is how come the same shows that show terrible violence also don't have nudity on basic cable? You don't think that's a cultural reflection of America?

[SüßeJäger]

I guess I haven't noticed. Many shows that have violence also have nudity. Some shows that have violence, don't have nudity cuz its just not the story line and its not important. I agree, the government should not be censoring anything, that should be left up to the parents and the free market.

[HyperX]

I agree wid u, m not against it as well :)

[jacquesvol]

Indeed, Americans seem to be more open and accepting of violence than of nudity. 19th. century inheritance: the 'Wild West' legend and Victorian puritanism.

[RedThread]

The one of the few answers that make any sense to me lol

[RedThread]

Yes for some reason we love violence but nudity is uncalled for. It's because America was founded by Puritans. That guilt of the nude human form still penetrates our society. Just look at our movies and entertainment.. It's crazy how we can have simulated rape on cop shows but a boob is uncalled for.

[SüßeJäger]

I think you are really comparing 2 different things. Violence on 'shows' as you put it and violence in real life are totally different things. Nudity has been excepted on 'shows' (p*rn, HBO, many, many other channels and movies I can't list them all) as well as violence has been excepted on 'shows'. We have not accepted random nudity in real life (for many reasons) as we have not accepted violence in real life. If we did except violence in real life, we would not be putting violent people in prison. Does people who are naked in real life go to prison? No, they may get a fine or something but not prison. Not only that, would you want your kids exposed to a naked guy that is a child molester? I wouldn't but maybe I am just a dumb, unenlightened hick that still cares for his children.

[jacquesvol]

And the Bible Belt has the highest p*rn consumption rate...

[jacquesvol]

SüßeJäger, equating being naked with molesting children isn't really an argument. It's an appeal to sentiment. A fallacy.

[NoblesseOblige]

1:3 female to male ratio. LOL. Seems about right.

[slsmith0]

There is nothing wrong with the naked body if displayed appropriately. As you said not sexual. My wife breastfeed and when she did in public she got stares. Even when she covered up. Even my sisterinlaw saw it as strange and "unnatural". This is where the US is going and it is sad. Yet at the same time the nation has no problem having sex with multiple people. Wrong I think so.

[jessss]

theyre all brainwashed into conformity