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I'm guessing that your concern is that someone might look at that picture and sexualize it. Most people can't even begin to fathom how or why someone would or could do so. Your nephew's wife is probably one of these people. In her mind, she's only sharing a picture of her beautiful child. I also suspect that when most people look at that picture, that's all they'll see -- it's just a naked baby, an expression of nature, innocence and purity -- it's not a sex or power symbol

Those that don't see that are likely to be those who are aware that children -- even children of only a few months old -- can be sexualized and used by others. They have come to that awareness either through their own experience of being abused, by working with people who have been abused, or by being an abuser themselves. They have seen a different vision of reality that those who see only innocence and purity have not seen.

I don't know for certain but I suspect that an abuser could look at a fully clothed child or a naked child and still see the same thing. Therefore, where should we draw the line? Should we say to a parent, "Don't ever share your child's beauty because someone else might misinterpret that?" I don't feel any anger against the mother because I think her motive is as innocent as her child's body. If fault or blame is to be assigned, it belongs to those who impose a distorted and adult sexuality upon the child.

However, like you, I couldn't deny that terrible things happen to children and that the adults around a child are in the best position to protect that child as necessary. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a baby or a child's nakedness but it would probably be most prudent to not share those pictures in an environment where you cannot control who sees them. Some online environments allow the user to impose controls on who can view their personal information -- I think facebook is one example (others can only view by personal invitation). I don't know if myspace offers the same kind of controls or if the potential is there for thousands of viewers to see that picture. It's possible that your nephew and his wife are naive as to the workings of the internet itself but they're also sensitive to being judged as parents who don't love and care for their child.

Your post implies that your relationship with your nephew's wife is already somewhat strained. If you wish to ease the strain it might help to recognize the innocence of her intent as coupled with your desire to protect . You mutually seem to see something beautiful in this child that is worthy of both sharing and of protecting. Children should know that they are beautiful and that beauty should be protected. You both seem like good adults for this child to have in his/her life.