Nudity
The week or two ago, Sequoia wrote an interesting post about nudity and sexuality. It got me thinking.
What is wrong with nudity? I mean, seriously. There are few things I love more in this world (Q, our cats, sex, reading a good book, etc) than hanging around naked. Whether it’s reading in bed nude, my body against the sheets, or standing out in the warm sun with not a stich of clothes, and cuddling naked with Q on the couch, I absolutely LOVE being naked.
And yet, even though we’re born naked, it feels good to be naked, even though it’s just as healthy to be naked, society has a huge beef with it.
Because obviously nudity = sex/pervert. It’s apparently impossible to be naked without clearly wanting to have sex with anyone and everyone in your path. Nude beaches are few and far between, as are nudist colonies, and people are shocked about those that attend these areas. Moreover, homophobia comes into play, because for some reason, people think that anyone who is gay and naked is now a pedophile.
Sequoia talked about how she sub-conciously likes to touch herself when she’s naked. I’m the same way…although I don’t even need to be completely naked to be doing that without thinking about. It’s not usually in a sexual sense — I have an itch, or am enjoying the breeze, or it just feels nice to have touch all over my body with nothing in the way.
Why is this so bad? I hated my body, HATED it, until I started the tradition of my car being a topless car for everyone in it after 2am. Let me tell you, this increased my body image SO much, seeing other people naked, getting to be naked, etc. Ditto goes for thee nude pictures we took and auctioned off the three years I was in the Vagina Monologues in undergrad.
Nudity save my life. My horrible self-image of my body contributed to some of my epic depression. It still does at times…I mean, I watch porn I’ve made, and question this roll, or that scar at times. Or I have days where I don’t fit into my favorite outfit the way I want. Granted, I love my body for the most part now, but I still, just like anyone else, have days I question my body and my body image.
But I KNOW how much worse it would be if I hadn’t learned to love being nude. Between theatre, and pictures, and porn, and kink, and living on my own where I can wander around my apartment (and Q’s place) completely naked, sleep naked, bake naked (and cook in an apron — hot oil is hot).
So why are we so against nudity. Other than the possibility of sunburns, or hot oil burns, why have we developed a hatred of nudity, and why have so many nudist developed this high level of homophobia. We’re born without clothes, without significant sexual attractions (although fetuses and infants DO masturbate, P-fucking-S). When do we learn to be ashamed of our bodies, and to be horrified by different orientations, making assumtions about them? Why?
-Essin’ Em
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I love being nude around the house. Cleaning is a lot harder now that I have a roommate, cause I used to just hop out of the shower and putter around naked. Now I have semi-naked home time- in a sarong, or my nightgown- but it isn’t the same at all. I still sleep naked, but the 4am in the dark sarong hunt mars it somewhat.
Being naked is great. Sure my clothes make me look good, but when people socially interact with me when I’m naked, it re-affirms that my roundness isn’t terrifying, even when fully unleashed.
In fact, you just inspired me to see about going down to the nudist hot springs for a day or two on my week-long I-need-time-not-spent-at-work-but-I-can’t-afford-to-travel vacation.
Great article…I love being nude while i’m at home, I don’t care if the windows are open and I even go to the backyard nude. I’d love to find a nudist colony near me.
You know, I love Peacock’s fashion books, and I noticed something: people used to have no problem with exposing their bare chests, male or female. Then Greek fashion got that “over the look” for women that required extra draping, and it basically progressed to more and more clothing from there.
It’s crazy how people start doing things for one reason and it evolves in to some completely different social norm.
That should’ve said “over the shoulder look.” Go me.
i absolutely do not like being naked, except in bed (or sexually). it feels too exposed for me to be very comfortable – not exposed in a sexual way, but just in an “exposed to the elements” way.
on the other hand, i fucking love being topless. i often need reminding to put a shirt on before i go outside. my breasts are pretty small, and when i’m wearing pj pants or baggy jeans, i’m liable to forget about them altogether. i suppose it’s a matter of habit – i played topless as a kid sometimes ’till i hit puberty =)