Why do people get so offended by nudity?

Question

I just read the report on the 'offensive' magazine cover (simply a mother feeding her baby). There's nothing offensive about the human body at all, and more of it should be shown on TV, instead of the extremely gross things we see today (CSI, blood, news reports of death, and how many Iraqis we've killed). Some people may say 'to protect the children', but what is it really going to hurt? Everyone has a body, everyone knows what they look like.

These are all great responses, thanks everyone! Glad I could come up with a good discussion topic.

Answer 1

I agree that this country has a problem with it more than any other in the world. Seems to me that everyone else is a lot more open about nudity and sexuality.
I truly don't believe it is protecting the children.

Answer 2

I agree that there is nothing offensive about a mother feeding her child but the problem is that people have different ideas of what should be shown to the public and to children. Parents have the right as the legal guardian of their children to monitor what they see. So if there was no discretion there would be people that would walk around naked and young children would be confused. Many people today act as if bodies are something to be used rather than treasured. If you have, say a young boy and he sees naked women being treated as objects then he will mimic that. So then he does not learn that women are to be respected and treated well and say if you have a young girl who sees women treated as objects and men treating them that way that girl will either think well boys wont like me if i don't act like an object or she will never have good relationships with boys. Yes everyone knows what their bodies look like but that doesn't mean they know everything that is good for them. I agree that the news is very graphic and reporters are supposed to show the truth. Our world is centered around sex 40 years ago people would not think of wearing clothes that cover up the bare minimum. Now people are obsessed with who is the best looking in the world. People treat each other like objects instead of real thinking people so the next time you think "wow that guy or that girl is HOT!" and that is all you care about think if you would like it if all your family or friends or that special someone only cared about your body and not anything you were thinking, any of your ideas, your emotions, or anything, just you skin, face, weight, butt size, exc. so tell me if you can imagine a world where people look at the body only and never that mind inside think to yourself DO I WANT THAT? I hope you say no and the part that really sucks is that if we don't do anything that is what the world will most likely be for the next generation.

Answer 3

Many reasons, but the first one that comes to mind is embarassment and the second is insecurity. Most people project themselves (unnecessarily) onto those who are nude and think of themselves in that situation. Truth be told, most people have ugly bodies and should remain clothed. However, there is nothing wrong with beautiful nudity. Men and women who are beautiful should be prohibited from wearing clothes in summer. Human beauty is awesome to behold. Next, we have religion - the ultimate curse. I am not even going to discuss religion because any open-minded individual knows what it's all about.

There is nothing more natural than a mother feeding her baby. The problem lies with those who take offense. To their shame and disgrace.

Finally, given that there are so many fat and ugly mothers in the United States, I can also understand how people might shudder at the sight of a mount Kilamanjaro tittie being whipped out and stuffed down an infant's throat.
I guess you can't win them all eh?

Answer 4

This is such a touchy topic for every one.

People who are not offended by it ask why others are, and people who are offened as why others are not.

it takes on so many reasons that it is hard to get your answer from one perspective.

If women would use their body for more appropreate reasons and not standing on a cornor, then so many men would not get the wrong idea and it wouldnt be an issue at all.

I try hard to stay covered in public, and when I am home I walk around naked if it makes me happy. I keep every one happy this way, including my self.

Answer 5

Think of it this way. Before cloths were invented everybody was naked and there was nothing wrong with it. But, I think people got so used seeing others with cloths that now seeing someone without it does look usual. We are programmed by the society to see everyone in cloths. Also, it could be religious. A lot of religions prohibits nudity thus the followers of those religions get offended by nudity.

Answer 6

Simple: People who get offended only express a reflex reaction of insecurity of who they are to themselves and to others. Realistically 'nudity' is only a bad thing because that is what has been commonly accepted. Remember, Adam and Eve were created nude by God and they did not feel any shame. So why does Man constantly take something that God created in His pure image to be indecent? Perversion is something that is only perceived by man.
Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:11 and Genesis 9:23

Answer 7

I agree 100%. And they say 'to protect the children'? Isn't that what breastfeeding is doing? Doesn't that woman have the right to protect her child with natural antibodies against infection? There is nothing more natural than a woman feeding her child.
People should find it endearing to humanity that someone is so willing to provide such nurturing and love this day in age.
I've never understood the acceptance of brutal violence over the human body. Seems the opposite of what we all should be wanting and doing.

Answer 8

I saw that report on people's reactions to a parenting magazine with the breast feeding baby on it too. I didn't think it was bad at all...quite tastefully done actually. A mother breast feeding is a beautiful, natural thing... I really don't understand the reaction to the cover page of that magazine. All mothers breast feed. People shouldn't be...unless it is vulgar.

Answer 9

I think it's hilarious that parents will sit down with their family in front of the TV set during prime time and see all the partial nudity and sexual themes and then get their self-righteous panties in a bunch because there is a breast/baby on this month's parenting mag. How backwards is that?

Mom+baby = natural
Paris+nip slip = entertainment

Answer 10

I believe people who fear nudity are probably not much to look at naked. If everyone walked around nude, then you could be judged more scrupously about your body, and having a less than flattering body would mean people would like you even less than they do right now.

People are judged enough for who they are, and go to great lengths to hide their inadequacies, but you can't hide their overly white, cottage cheese **** from the "naked" eye, no pun intended.