An exploration into the world of Nudity and Nakedness in it’s many forms.
I want to explore the subject of Nudity and the situations where and in which settings Nudity and nakedness are used. Where does Nudity become beautiful and when does it become tasteless. Is Nudity and nakedness ever justified and if so how do we determine what is acceptable.
- Art
Most Art Galleries have some of their displayed paintings portraying the naked or semi-naked form. Some Photographic galleries, as well as Statues which we know date back centuries which are viewed in books and publicly. Can that be regarded as acceptable despite it showing the naked body some of which in it’s entirety.
Nude Models for Life drawing can produce very beautiful pictures, some even being erotic in a tasteful way. Although some may still find it offensive and do not like it.
- Models
Many working Models are sometimes required to show some of or a lot of their bodies. Some Designers clothes can be very revealing but is generally displaying no breasts or genitalia. However, Glamour Modelling goes that bit further where the women do usually display their breasts alongside posing provocotively which can be viewed as going beyond what is tasteful. Where is the line drawn.
- Our Own Bodies
How comfortable are we in our own skin, how do we feel about our bodies.I don’t think that there are many people completely happy with what they have. Can you look in a mirror and be happy with your reflection or do you shy away from even looking.
Our clothing choices too serve to hide our bodies or be a little more revealing which is subject to personal choice but also a reflection on our body conciousness and perhaps even moral guidelines. And again how much or how little flesh displayed is not only down to personal choice but what others see as acceptable in which we will all differ in opinion.
- Sex and Intimacy
A further stretch on the previous point is are you comfortable with your partner seeing you in the Nude. Some people can easily explore theirs and their partners bodies freely while others may struggle. Open nakedness while having sex is not always the case, Turning off the lights, getting under the covers, not undressing in front of him or her and at the other end the complete opposite alongside everything in between.
How much Nudity with your partner do you allow and are you both at the same level in openeness. Does balance matter, I’m sure with some couples it can cause friction or perhaps, ideally, the more confident of the two is accepting and sensitive to the lesser one at ease.Nudity in this instance can be unsettling for a majority of people.
- Sport and Physique
Gymnastics, Body-Building competitions, Sprinters/runners, Swimmers-they are wearing next to nothing and displaying a huge anount of flesh. But I have never heard of that being seen as overly improper. Ok it isn’t Nudity as such, but it doesn’t leave much to the imagination as the costumes are fitted very tightly.
What Physiques are considered beautiful. Overly muscular, too skinny bordering on skeletal, curvacsious, tall, petite, it’s anyones choice of which they prefer looking at.
- Nudist Resorts
Some people are that comfortable with what they have that they go to places with other Nudists where they know that they will be accepted. Freedom to be in the complete Nude and in full view of everyone there.
I guess this is the reason why these places are exclusive because everyone will be in their natural naked entirety without offending anyone.
Nudity – there are so many ways to look at it, perceive it and interpret it but it will be a different opinion for all of us. Whether it be seen as beautiful, tasteless, an art form or it being viewed as exhibitionism, we all have differing ideas and opinions regarding nakedness.
Nudity has and will always exist in one form or another, it cannot really be escaped, it is all around us, in Television, Magazines, Images, Movies, and Art. All in one form or another.
We were born in the Nude. Underneath all our layers of clothing we are Nude and that you cannot escape from. So is it natural to be naked like in Nudist resorts, to those that go there yes but to the majority of us we would never dream of displaying ourselves in that fashion.It’s an individual thing and in some areas I have discussed a collective thing too and I doubt it will ever be escaped.
Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog!
Nudity is such an interesting topic, I am from Europe and I think nudity is a lot different here in the US. I find it quite strange that people have such strong reactions to a naked person. Everyone is naked and everyone basically looks the same.. It is a very natural thing. Everyone should love themselves when they are naked, the body is such an incredible and smart ‘thing’, and it takes great care of you too!
You should look into naturalism, it is a bit similar to nudism but you are not naked because of “being naked”. It is more like a natural approach of respecting nature, each other and wearing whatever you want, and this can be naked.
Hi Sophie,
After reading Naturegirl1′s post alongside her blog, I pondered on the idea of how refreshing it would actually be to be in the right setting where everyone is into Naturalism/Nudism and how one can be completely at ease in their ‘Birthday Suits’.
Even in the UK there is a big stigma about it but I say that everyone is intitled to be free in their bodies in whichever sense, for or against, and impose neither views on anyone.
Your right, our bodies are incredible, but look after them as much as we possibly can. After all that’s what has to carry us through our life.
I did enjoy writing the article and partaking in some of the discussions that were sparked, but I have decided that I don’t think it’s for me however I still got a new perspective on it! Immie
I don’t know if I’m misreading that first comment, I could well be doing that person a grave injustice. But if I’m getting the drift correctly we have a classic case of why cultures that seek to “control;” and subjugate women (ie fundamental islamists) are falling further out of step with modern thinking and egalitarian attitudes.
Ok, I’m biased, as a naturist I am more than happy yo get naked in a social setting. But as far as I’m concerned, we are all the same (barring gender specific bits and pieces!) so why get all worked up about seeing or being seen without our clothes.
This is it, it is all down to personal preference.
I wouldn’t judge you because you are a Naturalist and I don’t expect, although it happens all too often in this world, to be judged for what my prefernces are however different. There is far too much intolerance and in some societies women have little or no rights and that shows very little respect for all people, men and women to exercise what it is that they wish to show or not regarding their own bodies.
As I mentioned in the article regarding Sports, some countries do not allow women to compete which I think IS down to control and takling away an individual rights.
Nudism,Nakedness,revealing clothing,Modeling and our own relationships with our bodies is never going to go away and we should all be free to choose what we wish to with our own and very unique male and female bodies and not be intolerant or judgemental as that causes nothing but oppression which is an out dated and distressing regime for those that are sadly subjected to it.
I dont know, I see it as promoting woman equivalent to a piece of meat & porn. It make value of woman become so lowly.
This is your opinion. Do you care to include men in a further comment?
Actually it apply to man also, if he or she showing “things” that are suppose not to be seen. I think it not an art.
Nudity is an art if he/she show to a right person either his/her husband or wife. Other than than it just type of marketing that exploit woman.
But media have promoting female nudity more often, I think woman have more disadvantage if this continue…
Again you mention exploiting women. Have you heard of the Statue of David by Leonardo DaVinci? That was created centuries ago. Do you think that HE was exploited?
I agree with you that women are seen more in the media, however the women that reveal themselves are not forced into it,they actually want to do it. And the same goes for men also.
And to your first comment, do you know exactly what Pornography is? That was never even mentioned in my artcle and lets say in terms of Art, nudity, the human form, can be seen as beautiful, where as Porn is something entirely different. Again the men and women that are in Pornagraphic work actually opt to do it as a job so where is the exploitation?
Nudity in the several forms I wrote about, women and men included IS down to personal taste and I believe that we all as a Society all around the world ought to be much more tolerant of peoples way of life, be more accepting of the diversity that exists and as I put in my conclusion, in one way or another Nudity and nakedness, even with being happy with our own bodies, will always be a fundemntal issue as without clothes: we ARE nude.
Tolerance I think must be executed within our world.
I not going for debate; just to answer to your question : What do you Think about Nudity?
So, I think there should be a pro and contra commentator.
I think what people want to do sex or nude, do it at home and alone. The body is not for display. Some native tribe in Kalahari desert also know how cover the private part. As a civilize nation, the limit should be drawn clearly between right and wrong.
Example :
Nude in house we called it naked.
Nude in public I called it flashing – it a crime,
Nude in public media I called it porn.
Same thing, different place, it being called it differently. Statue of David by Leonardo Da Vinci- I called it stupidity. That is my definition.
Because I against nudity in any type except in house AND with wife or husband. Gender is not an exception.
Men and women that are in Pornagraphic work actually opt to do it as a job so where is the exploitation?
A thief also choose to become a thief. That does not make them doing a right thing. How many porn star have a good end? Have a good family? Try have an discussion with them, are they really happy with their life.
May be some have, majority don’t.
Not only me who against it, many law ( in this world) also against it. Many activist in third world country want to free them self from this kind of slavery (of mind).
Hi Hifzan, we are all intitled to our opinions and you do indeed have some very strong ones! lol!! and your views are just as important as everybody elses. And I guess that tolerance of others way of life is not for everybody which is not meant personally at you, just people in general.
I am very glad that you have contributed to this post so I genuinely thank you for visiting, reading and taking the time to comment; it has been very intersting indeed.
I love yours and Naturegirls1 contributions with two such opposing ends of the subject.
I don’t mind what people do as diversity is what makes this world so interesting!
No harm was ever intended towards you so I just wish you to know that.
Thanks again, Immie