Are Americans disturbed by nudity?

Question

It seems that many Americans are disturbed by nudity even if it is not erotic in nature.

The Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" got major media attention and complaints to the FCC (even though her nipple was the only part of her body exposed), movies with nudity but little violence are often rated "R" while movies with violence but no nudity are often rated "PG-13", to go nude in public is to risk a ticket or jail (depending on the jurisdiction),some beach cities have very detailed laws regarding swimsuits, and some organizations such as the American Decency Association seem offended by nudity regardless of the context.

Are Americans truly offended by nudity or is a vocal minority making the the rules and complaints about nudity? Why is nudity so offensive to some people? Is the human body offensive?

Answer 1

many americans are offended by nudity but I personally am not. I think that the human body is beautiful but on the other hand I think that there are certain times to be dressed and certain times to be undresses.

I think the whole nudity issue with many americans also has to do with how there were brought up american culture teahes for the most part that nudity is wrong as opposed to european culture which shows nudity in a more laid back manner.

Answer 2

The customs regarding nudity aren't the same here as in other countries. Other countries are more accepting of it. But to be uncomfortable with nudity has becomed ingrained as a custom here. There are some groups that practice nudity in thier own private resorts and preserves, but as a whole, we are used to being told that it is something to be uncomfortable about, and that it is something to keep away from the children, which is why everyone got so upset about Janet Jackson. (That, and because we all think it was intentional, to cause a controversy, which is just kind of disrespectful to all of us) I think if things were censored less than they are, and the laws were changed to allow more freedom in that respect, such as more suits optional beaches (there are some here, mostly private), then I imagine everyone would loosen up a bit more about it. As to where it originated, I imagine that has been passed down to us since the Puritans....I'm not offended by it myself, but if I saw someone walking down the street that way, I might be a bit uncomfortable, if for no other reason than it's not a normal sight around here...

Pilot Gal: on the basis that alot of it is based on the religious traditions here, I would say yes, it qualifies as an R&S question, about how religion has shaped our values as a country...

Answer 3

In the U.S., we appear to go the oppositve route concerning obscenity as opposed to much of Europe.

You hardly ever hear anyone that's really offended by the violence on American television, but anything even deemed too racy is condemned.

I'd say that most Americans are less open to nudity than Europeans. It's not that we're offended by it, but rather we're not really used to it, at least out in the open. I'd say that the Americans who complain about the Janet Jackson debacle are in the minority though. Most people that I knew didn't even watch the Half Time show, because it usually sucks (the Superbowl halftime show in the U.S. is everyone's excuse to go get more beer, or go put something on the grill). I would say that most Americans who saw Janet and her nipple slip thought that it was inappropriate, but didn't think anything of wagering a complaint.

Answer 4

I am an American, and for the most part, yes, I'm offended by nudity. It is not that the human body is offensive. There are times when nudity is appropriate. But I believe in modesty.

Answer 5

Yes and no.

There are still plenty of Americans who have various issues with nudity, but there are different "kinds" of nudity, too.

You mentioned Janet Jackson. Well, that particular incident was just "gratuitous" nudity. It had absolutely no relevance to the musical performance. Whether or not it was an "accident" is not the point; it was sensational nudity. It was "forced" nudity.

The kind of "nude issue" I usually talk about is how many folks relate to nudity. In other words, many only get nude for 2 reasons: to bathe or to have sex. Thus, these people cannot IMAGINE why others would want to enjoy or experience social nude recreation. They automatically assume that social nudity is sexual. It is not.

Happily, national opinion polls in 1983 and 1990 revealed that 72% of Americans approve of designated clothing optional beaches. To date, over 30 million Americans have experienced mixed social nudity.

Nudist resorts and communities in the U.S., reported a 300% increase in the whopping $400 million nude vacationing industry over the past 14 years.

The American Association for Nude Recreation includes nearly 50,000 members and 267 affiliated clubs, RV campgrounds, bed & breakfasts and resorts in the U.S., Canada and Jamaica.

And then, there is erotic nudity, or erotica, which is enjoyed by both men and women.

Erotica has been around for thousands of years. It began as painting, sculpture and poetry, and eventually evolved into literature, photography, acting, and video.

Erotica is simply an alternative form of sexual arousal; it is harmless fantasy and nothing more.

Regarding fantasy, Helen Fisher ("The First Sex," Ballantine Books, Feb. 2000) says that 71 percent of men and 72 percent of women fantasize while having sex with a partner. Men fantasize about conquest and domination, women about submission and surrender.

Dr. Joyce Brothers says, "It might relieve some of your guilt to know that many happily married individuals who have no thought or intention of ever betraying their spouse have sexual fantasies about someone other than their spouse."

The latest estimates are that Americans now spend somewhere around $10 billion a year on adult entertainment, which is as much as they spend attending professional sporting events, buying music or going out to the movies.

There are well over 800 million rentals of adult videotapes and DVDs in video stores across the country, and that's not 800 guys renting a million tapes each.

People that have issues with erotica have deeper sexual problems. Some women feel that the only sexual pleasure their partner must come from them, as if people can't or shouldn't pleasure themselves.

There's nothing wrong with viewing erotica. It can not "threaten" any healthy, well-balanced relationship.

Answer 6

good point raised. This new info. to me that in the US there is something called American Decency Association.
If all the sins will be forgiven based on the Christian faith and if there is no sins in the atheism faith, so what is the problem of making the nudity in the street.
If the approved nudity in the past years can't be compared to recent years, what would be the approved one in the coming years...? clothes market will have a big disaster..

Answer 7

A majority of Americans are not offended by nudity according to recent Roper Polls that have shown over the past 20 years that from 72-80% of Americans believe nude swimming and sunbathing should be allowed in appropriate places.

The problem is not the citizens, but a radical minority and a few of their puppet politicians who feel mandated to force their own beliefs and agenda on everyone.

The "Moral Majority" of the 1980's, led by such as Jimmy Falwell and Pat Robertson, attempted to direct the course of American politics, and showed their true colors when defeated. A popular comment about that era was "the moral majority is neither moral nor a majority". That still holds true today.

Small groups such as the American Family Association have little regard for personal freedom or "family values" unless they are in line with the "traditional family" beliefs as determined by their leader, Donald Wildmon. Groups such as Pilgrims Covenant Church in Wisconsin, led by pastor, Ralph Ovadal, are equally intolerant of all who oppose their beliefs, crusading against nudism, homosexuality, abortions, and even other religions who don't share their beliefs.

These extremists may call these ideas "traditional family values" and "morality" and "decency" in their small groups, but they are far from representative of the average American's definition of these same ideas.

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Answer 8

Nudity during Superbowls, yeah. By cheap publicity stunts.

Answer 9

I'm not offended by nudity at all. We all have the same body parts, I don't see the big deal.
But what's really funny with that is on plastic surgery shows. They bloop out a nipple while a surgeon is cutting a woman's face off. Like, oh no, don't let the nipple scare you!

Answer 10

I'm an Aussie and we have the same problems down here.. I say you have a button to push if you don't want to watch a program containing nudity.. It should be left up to the viewer not a handful of Christian minded morons who hold the entire country to ransom with their prudish outdated views.. Blessed Be.. )O(