I've put this here in case it turns into a debate

Do you think that nude beaches are "ok" for children?

For those who have a problem with it would you talk to someone who takes their children there with the attitude that because you don't agree with it that they shouldn't for their children either?

p.s. there is a point to this I just want to see what everyone thinks first

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:23 pm:

I personally don't, NOT because of the nudity necessarily, but because you don't know what weirdos are there. Okay, maybe a little because of the nudity. We don't let Natalie see her own Dad fully naked, so I don't think she should be seeing other grown men naked either.

As far as how I would treat others who take their children there: It's like anything else. People do parenting things that I disagree with all the time and I'm still friends with them. I can complain in private about it, but it's really not my business.

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:28 pm:

No.I wouldn't take my dk's to a nude beach.I've always taught that we cover up our privates and nobody sees them but (mom/dad/gramma/doctor)I grew up where this is not the norm.Living in Canada we wear alot of clothes.LOL.I don't judge people for there own likes/dislikes but just don't try to encourage me to do something that I don't feel comfortable with.Sometimes I wonder if my DD should have been born in a nudist colony, she loves to be naked!!

By Kate on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:01 pm:

No, I don't think they are okay for children. Nudity is private, IMO, especially where children are concerned. It's not really fair to expose kids to it, when they don't have a choice in the matter. If as adults they choose this activity then THEY are choosing it. But as a child I don't think it's right to force them to see things they might be uncomfortable with, or that might confuse them or stir up feelings in them.

I also agree that people with bad intentions might be there, preying upon your kids and 'enjoying' the sight of them, or even taking pics or video of them.

As for having an 'attitude' toward a friend who engages in this practice...honestly, I couldn't be good friends with someone so vastly different from me. It would be more of an acquaintance and no, in that case it would be such a casual relationship that there would be no attitude as there just would be no depth in the friendship where this issue would come up, or where I would even really care what this person did.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:10 am:

Interesting topic. I actually had a friend, who went to a nudist colony and it really was a "family" kind of thing. They would go and camp and stuff. I never really understood it. I think they took their son, with them. I have been friends with this woman, since we were both in grade school, so I'm sure there were times that we probably ended up changing clothes in the same room, at some point. Since we have been adults, I have only ever seen her fully dressed. So, I guess, who am I to judge anyone?

I wouldn't feel comfortable going to a nude beach and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my children to a nude beach. In the confines of my home, my children have seen me dress and undress, but not out in public.

By Kaye on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:15 am:

Very odd, I just read a snipet about a nude beach near where we are going today and thought hmmm. Really would I even have the nerve to do that, but I wonder what it is like...don't people stare? Isn't it all ugly people? But I never really thought about kids being there!

I think you have to teach kids to respect their bodies and that it belongs to them and it is private. I think you can't teach those facts if you are at a nudist colony. You certainly can't make them parade nude. And secondly, I just don't think kids should see naked people. There is an age kids reach where you cover up. So maybe maybe if they were very young. As for other societies where you wear less, maybe not as big of a deal, but here, your kids would go to the church, the school, the playground and say, mommy isn't that the man we saw nude at the beach??

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 01:40 am:

Our culture is much more uptight about nudity than most. I was raised to feel there is nothing "wrong" with the naked body, my parents often went to topless beaches in the Carribean (I didn't go on these trips, but have seen some pictures), and such. I'm comfortable with nudity, although I'm not sure I'd go to a nude beach, only because not everyone would be in the best of shape. LOL. So, do I think children should be allowed to go? Well, I might not make that choice for my kids, but I don't think it's a big deal if someone else did for theirs. I don't want my children to grow up thinking their body is dirty or there is something wrong with being naked, because that's not how I was raised. This isn't to say I want them parading around in the nude at inappropriate times, but I want them to be comfortable with themselves.

By Hol on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 02:36 am:

IF a person chooses to go to a nudist colony or nude beach, it should only be those under 35! LOL! NO ONE wants to see a naked middle aged person, unless it's their spouse. Take it from a middle aged person. Even an old guy in a Speedo makes me cringe. LOL!
Serously though...I personally think it should be adults only. I don't think children should be exposed to naked strangers. If parents are more open about nudity in their own home, at least it's just their parents. JMHO.

By Vicki on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 09:11 am:

No I wouldn't take my child to a nudist beach and I personally don't think kids should be there period! I don't think it has anything to do with being comfortable with yourself. I think you can be very comfortable with yourself and not have to show it to the world! What is the purpose of a beach like that anyway? I mean is there a real reason for it other than seeing naked people? If the whole point of it is to see people naked and get a cheap thrill out of it, why on earth would anyone take kids there? If ANYONE is getting thrill out of seeing a naked child, they should be locked up anyway!! I guess I just don't "get it"

By Vicki on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 09:13 am:

Would I talk to someone who takes their kids to one? I likely would talk to that person, but my kids would never be alone with them and I wouldn't want their kids alone in my home either. I just wouldn't trust their judgement at all and would never feel comfortable with it.

By Colette on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 09:48 am:

ditto Vicki.

Are you asking if because I disagree with it would I say something to the parent that takes their child(ren) to a nude beach? If that's the case then no, I wouldn't say a word unless I was directly asked by that person.

By Juli4 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:44 am:

I feel as though you can be comfortable with nudity in your own home with your family, but with strangers it is not right. My 3 girls do not see their dad naked, but see me naked everyday and usually take showers with me in the mornings (they are 5 and under). So we are not uptight about nakedness it is just strangers looking at parts of you that are not meant for them. I mean nudists claim it is not sexual to see others naked and it may not for young children, but for adults how can it not be? And it is the perfect place for perverted people to check out naked people ( and kids). Some families intentions and way of thinking about it may be pure, but until you can read the thoughts of the guys around your naked children No WAY. And I would be nice and talk to the people who practiced this, but I would never let my children be alone with the family. You just don't know anymore. We assume everyone has the potential to harm our children until proven otherwise. We are not trusting when it comes to our girls and would be even more on guard with them.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:10 am:

I would let my kids be alone with my friend who has practiced nudity in the past. I have known her since I was 8 years old and she was 9. She would never have hurt my kids. It's just another aspect of who she is, and it doesn't mean she or her husband are perverts.

By Jackie on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:52 pm:

I would never take my kids to a nudist beach. We do not run around here naked, so why should I expose my kids to it in public. My kids all know the names to their privite parts, and have been told that nobody is to see them expect, mom/dad/drs...Other then that NOBODY is allowed to see them naked or touch them, except what I just listed. I never understood the whole nudist thing. I do like to be covered up, just because I am overweight and not comfortable with myself, I surely wouldnt want to torture anybody else LOL.I know many people love to walk around nude, not me. I don't think people should be ashamed of their bodies. I also don't think kids showed be exposed to a beach full of naked bodies either.Some things are just meant to be privite.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 05:01 pm:

A baby, up to just starting to walk stage, maybe - but then, you wouldn't have found me at a nudist beach then and certainly won't now. Beyond that age, though, I wouldn't think it a good idea. It is difficult enough to teach children about privacy issues and the importance of privacy - being someplace where people literally let it all hang out would make it really hard to explain why Johnny can't barge into the bathroom when Mom is using it.

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 07:49 pm:

If I were comfortable with being nude in public, I'd take my kids (Lord knows they'd love running around nude). Weirdos abound in most public places and I tend to think a nude beach which services a select community and has a reputation to be careful of would likely be much more ready to toss suspicious characters and the like. Compared to a public park, I think chances are the nude beach would be a safer environment.

By Luvn29 on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:02 am:

And just how could you tell someone was suspicious when everyone around is nude?

The Berenstein (sp?) Bear book about Strangers comes to mind here, where Mama Bear is teaching the bear cubs about how you can't tell by the outside if a person is "good or bad". In the book, she holds up an awful looking apple, all crooked, and bent, and ugly. Sister bear thinks it must be full of worms. She cuts it open, and it is perfect inside, a good apple. Mama bear then holds up a beautiful, shiny red, perfectly round apple and Sister bear thinks it must be fine inside. Mama cuts it open, and in fact it is full of worms, a bad apple.

I think we can figure out the moral of this story ourselves!

I'm not saying everyone at the nude beaches are "bad apples". I'm just making an observation that in life, anywhere, that's what makes it so dangerous, you can't tell just who's the "bad guy".

By Missbookworm on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 11:36 pm:

This came up as an issue with our children's school too. My ex takes the kids to a "nude" beach. It is "clothing optional" not everyone goes nude including my children. I haven't taken them since they were quite small but he has continued. They absolutely love it there, beg me to take them, but whenever I go I only go alone more because it's far and I don't have a vehicle and they are tired at the end of the day and hate the bus. My bf isn't comfortable with me being there alone, and nude. LOL and the man used to go there himself, but is now too self conscious. I usually just undo my top if I'm laying down because it's more comfortable and I hate tan lines, he says they're sexy LOL *sigh*

Unschoolmom you've described our "beach" perfectly. It is a very family oriented place.

I understand that not everyone "gets" it. I never used too! I was so shy and self conscious I was like I will hate it and there is no way I'm going to go naked. I didn't and I have!

I also think that others have no right to step in and say "It's wrong of you to do that." If they're safe, not being hurt and closely supervised I feel it's a personal choice, like so many other decisions on what is right and wrong for your family.

By Kaye on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 08:18 am:

I guess what the debate is, is this safe and are they being hurt?

I do feel if you take kids to a nude beach that you risk the possibility of mental hurting them. Or putting them in a situation where they could be hurt.

I guess I also look at it another way, what possible benefit is it to the kids to be at a nude beach? Great they are with the family, you could do this anywhere, really.

So all things equal, no benefit and possible harm, then yes I think it is wrong to take your kids to a nude beach.

By Unschoolmom on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:28 pm:

If this is a proper debate though Kaye you need to make clear what the risks are. I can understand that in some families, with conservative ideas about nudity, it might not be a comfortable or good idea to go to a nude beach. But what are the mental risks for another family, say mine, where the kids are nude in the house a good deal of the time and see their parents nude from time to time?

What are the other risks? Risks that make a nude beach more harmful then a public park, a schoolyard or a walk around the neighbourhood? I have never heard of abuse or abduction involving a nude community...The other 3 areas however seems to pop up again and again in those reports.

I can see the benefits. Kids that have the freedom to chuck clothes aside as so many kids seems to want to do. Kids that see bodies of all shapes and sizes and not just the perfect confections of models and stars (this would be a HUGE benefit to my mind). Kids that can seperate nudity from eroticism. I can see the benefits for me. Today is hot and humid but there's a beautiful breeze and I can just imagine how nice it would be to sit out on the lawn with a cold drink in absolutely nothing.

Some reading...

http://www.takeoffwithus.com/whynude.html

A message board with some very reasonable people whose posts you can read...

http://www.nudist-resorts.org/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2046

Never had the nerve to try a nude resort but I may yet.

By Reeciecup on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 01:37 pm:

I notice that you live in Canada and I believe nude beaches have a very cultural aspect to them. In Europe or South America I don't think most would give this a second thought whereas in the U.S. this is more of a taboo thing. How does your area of Canada look at these types of beaches?
My limited knowledge of nude beaches is that it is sort of self regulated in that people who are there with perverted thoughts in mind are ostracized by the "nude community" because this isn't about being naked with members of the opposite sex and in fact it is a rather asexual thing. Is that correct?
With that said I guess it is a personal choice based on you and your children's comfort level.

By Luvn29 on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 02:22 pm:

I don't really know anything about nude beaches. But you say you don't allow your children to go nude. However, you say that they love it there and they beg to go. What is it that they love? Why do they beg to go there specifically? Why is it different for them than any other beach, other than the fact that they get to see men and women nude? Are there other attractions there at that beach that they enjoy? Or is it the nudity that attracts them?

Sure, children may see their parents nude, but I find this different then seeing other adults nude. I would especially be bothered if I had a son (or daughter, I suppose) that was at puberty age who begged me to go to this beach specifically for the reason to see members of the opposite sex nude. I'm not sure that you can take a teenage boy and show them a naked woman and make it non-sexual at certain points in their life. JMHO.

By Missbookworm on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 06:36 pm:

Luvn, people play music there guitars,drums etc.) and there are "campfires" at night, and you can buy food and drinks (non alcoholic) on the beach, people sell sarongs and blankets etc. there. That doesn't happen at any of our beaches. People are generally more relaxed and friendly there too. At the other beaches out here people don't "mingle" much children included.

By Kym on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 08:57 pm:

I was raised mainly by my LDS mother, very conservative upbringing. I also grew up on a speedboat on a large Lake with my dad every other weekend. His wife was 10 years younger than my mom and "hot", she had an incredible body and fluanted it around us and anyone else who was boating/beaching with us. Others would go topless as well, not bottomless that I can remember.

this was disturbing to my bro and sis and me for a few reasons, 1 my brother was going through puberty and did not experience this until he was 12, my sister wanted to be just like my step mom but was a chunky "homely" young lady, and for me because I "worshiped" my mom and hated this act so against my mom and her beliefs and standards.

I guess my point is, had we been raised by my stop mom 100% it would not have bothered us, but since it was not consistent with our real lives it was a problem.

I would not take my kids because I'm not a nudist, but if I were, I would include my kids in it, if that was lifestyle I chose. For the most part it's a natural way of life, not a sexual one, but unfortunately I think it does attract the sickos that can pose a danger not only to kids but to anyone in that lifestyle.

Did that make any sense

By Dawnk777 on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 09:41 pm:

With my friend, who was a nudist, it was a place to camp, where you took your clothes off. I think it was basically an asexual thing, for them, too. They loved doing it and I'm going to call her one of these days and ask her about it. I'm about due to call her anyway.