One of my sons, who wears the crew neck cotton tops refuses to let even the top show when he has an open neck collar shirt on. He wears another T-shirt over the garment because he thinks that is more appropriate. I don’t think that makes either one of prudes but I think we have a conservative viewpoint about nudity around the house - at least more conservative than some of the practices mentioned above. That being said, I think the practices espoused above are all healthy and the more our children are comfortable with their bodies, and the bodies of others, perhaps the less likely they will to experiemnt with sex - behind closed doors - until it is appropriate (like after they get married!)

Immodest? Not in the privacy of my own home.

How many think that this (garment top only on men around the house) is immodest?

Anyway, I think you have good points. I also admire Tracy M for being candid with her kids. It’s a hard business raising self-confident and educated kids in a world full of evil.

Barb-
I admire your desire to remain ignorant. Now, don’t get me wrong, that was definitely not a back-handed compliment. I totally get what you said. I could delve into stories about my naive mind when it came to sexuality, but then made sure I was educated before I was married, etc. but I won’t. Just know that I get where you are coming from. My chosen prudishness got me to places I’m very happy to be…

Back to body image. Is there something about teaching our children too much? Couldn’t there be something about too much information which could lead to unhealthy fixations? (sorry, Silus, I don’t mean for this to be a threadjack). I just wonder if sometimes people could be too quick to swing the sexuality pendelum so much the other way that our children are learning things that they just don’t need to know yet…

I actually know very little for my age. And I plan to keep it that way unless I get married.

Our home is similar: our bathroom door might as well not be there (except when we have guests or visitors), so they already know what real, average adult human bodies look like (as with tracy, only in the context of showering, etc., not intimacy).

I think it’s vital that they receive correct information about their bodies from us, viewed in the light of the gospel. I have little doubt that they will be exposed to skewed, devilish versions in the future. So it’s a kind of inoculation.

This is why I disagree with both Barb (#9) and Cheryl (#8).

I think people should avoid talking about sex as much as possible.

If it’s about one’s own intimacy, I agree. But in general terms I think we should be talking MORE about sex. I sense that too many LDS kids don’t learn enough about romance, sex or their bodies from the scriptures or their parents, but rather from ill-informed peers, Seventeen magazine, America’s Next Top Model, The O.C., and their equivalents.

I think God’s greatest creation was our bodies. They are amazing! But shouldn’t that then beg for a sense of respect? The utmost respect? Flaunting our bodies ([...]prancing around naked in front of our children –which would be very disturbing, really, I mean, how many of us want to see our own parents naked? Gross!!) doesn’t show any ounce of respect. It says “Ooh! Look at me!”

If my parents’ bodies are so amazing, why would it be gross to behold them? Note that I don’t have any particular desire to do so, but I find the logical contradiction noteworthy, and I think it’s one that relatively few American LDS work through. I think it really is a broken body-image thing, as Silus said, and stems at least partly from Victorian prudishness.

I agree that it’s essential (as Cheryl said a little further on) for our children to be comfortable with their bodies, including how to take care of them. They should also know that they are beautiful, regardless of weight or shape.

I guess all I’m saying is that teaching modesty and self-respect doesn’t have to be a rule-based exercise, but can be principle-based and body-positive.

I’m very frank and open with my children about their bodies. They know all the correct names, and we don’t use generic terms like _pee pee_- Even for my daughter, my children know the difference between vulva, labia and vagina- and I feel this is a good thing. It’s taught in a non-sexual way, but I want them aware of and responsible for thier bodies.

As far as my husband and I, we have no issue with the kids seeing us nude- in context. If we are getting out of the shower, changing, things like that. Sex is another story entirely- that is private, and kept that way.

Also, as a fine artist (subjective!) I have painted many a nude, and one of my favorite series of classes at art school were the life drawing classes. I don’t consider that vulgar or inappropriate- and neither did Michelangelo.

I think a lot of it boils down to intent and attitude. As was stated earlier, a brazen woman who is physically lovely, can be quite unattractive due to her attitude. Self respect is paramount.

One of the most dignified women I’ve ever beheld was on the podium of a nude life drawing class- her bearing and confidence and composure made her far more regal and modest nude than the girl with her sequin g-sting hanging out the back of her low-slung jeans.