Breasts, Nudity, etc..

I started to post to the other breasts thread, but realized I was getting really off topic. Feel free to bring this topic wherever you would like.

I’m really interested in different perceptions of nudity in different countries. I’ve done quite a lot of traveling, and it seems that we (In the US) have are very conservative on our views of nudity. Keep in mind I’m mainly speaking about the US in relation to Europe, South America, Canada. I know that there are countries in the Middle East that are much more conservative than we are.

In other countries I have visited it is very normal to see women sunbathing topless in public parks, public pools, and public beaches. It is not seen as a sexual thing. Men don’t stare at them; people aren’t shocked, it’s just normal. Women will also breastfeed their children in public, and it’s not a taboo thing like it is here.

It’s strange to me that because we are so conservative we almost have a forbidden fruit thing going on. Men in the US seem to be almost breast obsessed, yet at the same time I think a lot of people feel that if a child were to see a pair of naked breasts it might destroy their fragile little minds. Nudity in general is almost made to seem evil and wrong, and I think that is much more of an unhealthy thing to teach a child.

Breastfeeding in public is extremely taboo and illegal in some places. My own sister was fined for indecent exposure for breastfeeding her child in her car in the back of a Wal-Mart parking lot with a blanket covering her child so no one could see what the child was doing. That just seems crazy to me. Since when is feeding your baby the most natural way you can illegal? Who on earth would see that as a sexual thing? It’s confusing to me.

Good observations, Gemstone.
I think here in this country, it's the "forbidden fruit" mentality that perpetuates the obsession with nudity.

To me I think to me in comes down to just this.........

WWJD - that says it all.

it matters to ME what God says and not what the people in this world or on each continent thinks about it.

Rhapsody,

I'm not religious so that doesn't work for me. Does god believe that the human body is evil?

Lets not get into religeous debate here please. There's another forum for spiritual discussion.

Thanks,
Rayna

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Gemstone said:
I'm not religious so that doesn't work for me.

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I understand that - I was just stating what I FELT and WHY............
My thoughts on nudity comes from what I believe Gods feels about it (it should be kept for your spouse and not for others to see).

Gemstone...
I thought of another example of how delicate this subject of nudity is, even in my profession as an art teacher of middle schoolers. I have wished to show educational films about the classical artists such as Michaelangelo or da Vinci, but upon previewing them, I realize I can't do so in this conservative culture here. In the past, having taught for 20 years, when I have done this, I've received objections and lasciviuos comments from students here, and realize it is just one step away from a conference in the principal's office with an irate parent. It seems a shame though, that I can't show a film showing Michaelgelo's "David," or on the life of other great artists. I've tried to explain to students when this sort of topic emerges, that there is a big difference in art showing nudity and pornography.
Patty

WWJD - that says it all.

What does that mean?

Wonder why we were born naked. Why not come out with a full wardrobe and matching shoes.

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[b]Petunia said:[b]
WWJD - that says it all.

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WWJD = What Would Jesus Do

............ that is how I decide what I should and should not do - I ask my self that first, but then thats me.

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Petunia said:
Wonder why we were born naked. Why not come out with a full wardrobe and matching shoes.

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My REPLY:

Because mammals are born smaller versions of their parents.........



Thought for Every One:

Food 4 Thouhgt:

All females have a vagina down below, but that does not mean that we should go around showing it off to every one.

Why the bold letters, Rhap? I was asking because I truly didn't know.

I would've understood without the use of bold lettering.

Seeker,

I think thats really sad that you can't share some truly beautiful art with your students especially as a middle school teacher. Isn't that when they start teaching sex ed anyways? And you are right, there is such a huge difference between pornography and art.

A very good friend of mine is in her last year of college studying to be an art teacher. I think we have a little less structure here in MD as to what she will have to teach, but I'm sure it will still come down to what upsets one childs parents.

All females have a vagina down below, but that does not mean that we should go around showing it off to every one.

I understand your point of view, Rhap. But it is my vagina and I'll show it to whoever I want...regardless if you say I shouldn't.

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Petunia said:
Why the bold letters, Rhap? I was asking because I truly didn't know.

I would've understood without the use of bold lettering.

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WWJD - is always done in CAPS......... Nothing meant by it -

I think nudity is such a taboo thing here because we make such a big deal about it. We are perpetuating the "forbidden fruit" aspect of it ourselves. The more you restrict people from seeing them, the more they want to and the more they will do to get it.

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Petunia said:
I understand your point of view, Rhap. But it is my vagina and I'll show it to whoever I want...regardless if you say I shouldn't.

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I never said you could not - I am just stating how I feel, not pointing at any one.

My Food 4 Thought was for every one........ I will go back and place that next to it - I answered you above it.

Gemstone...I think it's everywhere.
An art teacher was fired from her job in VA last year for taking her students on a field trip to a gallery where there was a nude statue. This made national news. I don't know what finally developed from it.
This past school year, after reviewing a film on the life of Alexander Calder, the mobile sculptor, I did show it to my students. There were some whimsical, almost unrecognizeable sculptures of nudes in it, but you can bet they recognized it and said it was nasty!
I remind myself that I'm lucky to have a job as an art teacher, with the Arts being cut right and left, and so I just abide by the cultural expectations and do my job.
Patty

And, Rhapsody...I don't mind the reference to WWJD...I think I do follow that thought in much of my daily doings!
Patty

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seeker1950 said:
And, Rhapsody...I don't mind the reference to WWJD...I think I do follow that thought in much of my daily doings!
Patty

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Thank YOU........................... Its All Good.

Jesus and nudity, they go together like shoes and wallpaper!

Anyway, I can truely say that Scotland is ahead of the US on this issue. Breast feeding in public is legal, cos its a natural way to feed a child. No-one looks twice when a lady is breast feeding.

An art?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well here in Glasgow we have a fabulous museum full of nude art work and know what?................. Its one of the most visited places by schools.

We are born naked, its conservatism (and the weather) that makes us wear clothes.

Ive gone topless on every holiday ive ever been on. Lying on a beach with your boobies out is wonderful..

You are way ahead of us there! I really wish we weren't so conservative. I think its really sad.

I wish I could sunbathe topless around here. I have to save it for when I leave the country.

I just had a thought occur to me reading the last post. Here in the US there's this huge stigma about breast feeding babies right? Well get THIS!!! There are some hospitals now banning baby formula for new born babies, trying to urge the mothers to breast feed!!!! Huh???

My boyfriend and I were out to eat a few weeks ago and in his line of sight, a woman started breast feeding and bf was like "Uh, that woman just plopped her breast out". And I was like, "So?" I couldn't see the woman. He said she didn't use a blanket or anything to cover her and the child. For me, I think I'd use a blanket because I'm shy....but when I have a baby, and I'm out with her/him in public and hunger strikes, I'll find a chair and feed my child! I was afraid I was gonna have an issue with bf right there in the restaurant, but his main shock was that the woman didn't cover herself and he wasn't expecting to see a breast at Old Chicago Grill haha.

It can be a bit of a surprise when you only went in for a burger and instead you get a breast!

My daughter is 28, and I do recall there were times when I breastfed her in public, using a blanket. I think it's a shame that mother would be chastised for doing so!
As for WWJD...I don't think Jesus would have been offended by nudity. I think he would have been tearing up the pornography trade, but not innocent nudity!
Patty

LOL Allthegirls!