Is nudity by its nature erotic?

Question

Does simply seeing an unclothed human form cause arousal? Nothing about the pose or expression being overtly sexual. Or rather do we condition ourselves to be excited by nudity because it's something we're not supposed to see?

Answer 1

Nudity is simply an unclothed human body, and as such is neither positive nor negative. It becomes erotic when we associate nudity with sexuality, and it's the sexuality that makes it erotic.

I love to be naked at the nude beach or other appropriate places like a friend's pool, and there's nothing erotic about it. It's certainly sensual to be naked outside on a warm summer day, but sensuality and sexuality are two different things. Nudity can be sensual, sexual or both...depending upon the circumstances.

It can also be clinically neutral, as when a gynecologist spends many hours each day examining the vaginal regions of his or her patients.

It really depends upon the context in which the nudity occurs as to the degree of eroticism present.

Answer 2

Nudity is NOT Erotic by nature. Nature made us all nude. We wear clothing mostly for protection and safety (heat, branches, insects). Being nude in your controlled environment is what you want it to be. If you are nude with your parents/sibling your are not likely to think erotic thoughts. If you are nude with your love interest you are. As the above answerer note: Males will more like find a bikini clad female more erotic than a nude one since the color/et al of the bikini would allow the male to fantasize more. It is rare to see anyone aroused at seeing a nude victim of an accident or crime. Nudity per se dose not cause arousal in either males or female.

Answer 3

Do you get aroused when you see youself in the bathroom mirror before you get in the shower? Probably not, right?

I consider myself a nudist and I've been to nude beaches several times. Trust me that most of the people on those beaches are not Playboy models by any means. Nudists don't practice nudity to get aroused, we do it because we like the feeling of being unclothed. Most of the nudists I know would be uncomfortable in a sexually charged environment (like participating in a hot bikini contest at a bar), even if they weren't completely naked, but they have no qualms about geting undressed in front of a group of like-minded people.

Society disctates what is erotic and what is not. Take that bikini contest again--even though the participants remain partially clothed (and their "private areas" remain covered) the nature of the event makes it much more erotic than a day at a nude bech were no one has any clothes on.

I once read an article about a study where two highly attractive women--one in a skimpy bikini and one in the nude walked down a beach. When asked which to woman they were more sexually attracted, most men picked the one in the bikini, regardless of which woman was wearing the bikini at the time. I wish I still had the source...

Answer 4

I think tha simply seeing an unclothed body causes arousal because it's something we're not accumstomed to seeing. I think it's the excitement of knowing that you're seeing something that when you were younger, was so off limits.

Answer 5

In the 17th and 18th century people worn clothes that covered the whole body except for hands and face. Seeing a bared arm was overwhelming or erotic. It would be the same with nudity, but if you are around nude people then you become comfortable with the sight. You would adjust to that environment.

Answer 6

this question is kinda a yes and no answer-

many societies see nudity as natural and not as sexualized by nature. partial or full nudity is seen as the norm. but couples are still attracted to each other's bodies.
- in a way this happens in the western culture. when we see menw tih no shirts on at the beach it is not seen as sexual, but in other instances (between lovers, on billboards, ect) the lack of a shirt on male is sexual.

how we nudity, as nasty, as erotic, or as natural depends on how we are raised. and how our perceptions of nudity change based on the circumstance and situation.
for instance- (western/american society)

public flashing- sexual, vulgar
nude baby photos- non-sexual, natural
alone at home- possibly sexual, acceptable
breastfeeding- non-sexual, mostly viewed as natural and acceptable

and in nudist colonies as long as nudity isn't used as being sexual it is acceptable

Answer 7

Nudity by its nature is not erotic. It is natural to be nude. I know having visited a nudist resort on two occasions. It was so liberating. There was a feeling of total body acceptance.
In general, one gets aroused more by a woman in a bikini than seeing a woman that is simply nude. I believe this to be true because when a woman is wearing a bikini emphasis is put mostly on a woman's breasts unless they are wearing a thong. If the general public realized this probably clothing optional beaches and resorts would be more common.

Answer 8

well, i 'd say yes. we were born naked yet it is bad to see a bare backside these days. i'm not sure how that all happened