In open changing rooms (at swimming pools, etc) British teenager boys usually perform contortions with a towel to avoid being seen naked. Teens elsewhere in Europe, on the other hand, have no such paranoia, and are happy just to change normally, as we were when I was a teen. (I'm British, 30s). I'm wondering where this unhealthy fear could have come from.
2006-09-19 21:59:09 · 8 answers · asked by Steven 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
(gymnophobic means afraid of being naked, or of being seen naked)
2006-09-23 04:01:55 · update #1
I entered the word "gymnophobic" into an online dictionary and got nothing, no hits. Is this a word you made up? If so, great job, never heard that word before. At first I thought you meant gynophobic or something, fear of women. When I was a teenager I was totally I guess gymnophobic. A bit too much maybe. Probably that's not healthy. What caused it? Insecurities I guess. Maybe homophobia, if that's a word.
2006-09-21 04:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I must agree, but I am one of the shy Brits and have had a few shocks in Europe, walking into Sauna, opened the door and noticed it was a mixed place full of naked people, I still kept my towel on but felt like a prat. I actually think it is a working class fear not a Brit thing.
2006-09-20 05:06:14 · answer #2 · answered by Powerpuffgeezer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mmmmm, nice to know a man in his 30's takes the time out to notice the level of nakedness of teenage boys!
In this cynical world, that could be read upon the wrong way mate!
On a less cynical note - maybe they're just not 'well equipped' and are embarassed?!
2006-09-20 05:07:09 · answer #3 · answered by msmith1306 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self consciousness, which has probably come the reserved British upbringing we have. I think the body is still seen as quite a taboo area in the UK.
I think the weather also plays a part in it. In hotter places like California you see men and women walking around with very little on. It is more the norm for them.
2006-09-20 05:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its called embarrassment. teenager boys bodies are changing all the time and they become very self conscious. You wont find this with a 6 or 7 yr old.
There is also the 'piss-taking' factor.....well known amongst boys of that age.
2006-09-20 05:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by Wobs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the way we're brought up.
Across the continent they have mixed changing rooms and they're much more open about nudity whereas here people are a lot more prudish.
Personally I think it's a hangup from victorian times.
2006-09-20 05:03:04 · answer #6 · answered by BadShopper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the question here should be why is a man in his 30's spending time watching how teenage boys change out of their clothes.
perhaps their unhealthy fear has come from seeing perverts watching them change.
i hope the internet police are monitoring you.
2006-09-20 05:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by BigBoy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from the same train of thought whereby women's breasts are objects for male pleasure rather than organs for feeding babies. It's the 'shame' factor. And, probably due to the weather in the UK, we're not used to displaying our bodies.
2006-09-20 05:07:48 · answer #8 · answered by Roxy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋