Recently we were invited to a friend's house. Their backyard pool is very private, but we were a little surprised when their kids (teens - two girls and a boy) simply peeled off their clothes and swam nude. They were obviously raised this way and thought nothing of it, but their parents didn't seem at all concerned that guests (us) were present. We didn't say a thing -- should we have? If so, what?
Don't get the impression that we disapproved -- we thought it was sweet and innocent; the kids were beautiful and without a hint of false modesty, yet very respectful to us. We were really surprised though, not just at the naked kids but about how well they got along with each other in a very intimate setting.
2007-06-25 16:41:44 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I think you were right not to say anything; it's their house, so it's their rules, and in their house, swimming nude is obviously accepted. I think that to have spoken up would have probably embarrassed everybody concerned; you did just fine.
2007-06-25 16:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well I would imagine that somewhere in that bloodline there were nudist parents and well there you go. Through personal experence if you raise your children without making them ashamed of theirselfs then their with out modesty and is a big tell tell factor in how innocent they really are. Its when they have inguaged into sexaul contact and has a consience of it is when modesty kicks in and embarrasment and so on and so on. As far as the keeping your mouth shut about it, no, you should have said something about it, especialy that you were uncomfortable with it, not every one lives their live as freely as they do.
But as far as that last statement about how well they got along in an intimate setting, Well, lets just say that there is more there than meets the eye, it just goes without saying that you would have to explain that one a little better.
2007-06-29 17:21:56 · answer #2 · answered by JW 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're nudists and that's their way of life but they should have warned you first. If they're your friends then that would've been the polite thing to do. I'm sure they're aware that many others aren't nudists. Since you apparently weren't uncomfortable then I suppose it doesn't really matter that you weren't warned in advance. I've known people who are nudists and they typically give advance notice out of respect. The only response I could think of is leave if you are not comfortable otherwise do as you did.
2007-06-25 17:18:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suppose the polite thing for them to have done was to ask or offer some kind of warning. But perhaps they just judged that you wouldn't disapprove, and were correct in this instance.
In short, they didn't think there was anything wrong with you. You don't think there's anything wrong with it. Frankly, there *is* nothing wrong with it. So I don't see why you should have done anything other than what you did: nothing.
2007-06-26 13:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised that way until I was 18 and left the house.
I believe because my parents raised me to never be embarrassed or ashamed of my body, I don't have image issues.....
However, They are teenagers, and I think its ok to be naked together....as long as innocence remains....but maybe respect that not everyone has that type of freedom!!! lol. Maybe ask for a warning!
Also the parents should protect their children from other people seeing them that way...as teenagers their body has developed!!!
2007-06-25 16:51:26 · answer #5 · answered by mandy0230 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I think the only thing you should have done is what you did do... nothing.
As long as nothing sexual was happening, there is nothing wrong with it.
Besides that, these kids were obviously used to swimming this way, and it is great that they are that comfortable with their own bodies as teenagers.
While I will admit I would never allow my sons to do this, every family is different, and they are doing what works for them...
2007-06-25 16:53:15 · answer #6 · answered by Ayawi 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you didn't disapprove, then why would you have said something?
Because society tells us it's not OK to be nude.
As a matter of fact, America goes extra miles to show that nudity = bad. It's silly.
You witnessed something that was as you said innocent, and the kids seem very well-behaved.
It's an inspiration, if nothing else.
Of course, if they came to your house, you'd set the rules.
2007-06-25 17:49:04 · answer #7 · answered by yogi 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If you feel uncomfortable, that is okay and you should say something every subtly.. like maybe "Oh, that's different, maybe we should go over THERE and give them some privacy." or "Do you always skinny dip?" "Oh, that's different, how did you start doing that?" If you say the right thing in the right way, they will get the hint but receive it politely. But.. if they don't really get it, I'm sorry you just have to go with the flow or lie.
2007-06-30 16:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's nothing sweet or innocent about teen children getting naked in mixed company. I would have either immediately gone up to the parents to tell them that their children were getting nude in front of guests, or I would have shouted to the children in the pool that they needed to get their clothes on like proper adults.
2007-07-02 09:52:35 · answer #9 · answered by Amy 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I would have thought they would have asked. I guess you could have come up with some sort of weird quip, like it being breezy or something. Doesn't sound very respectful to me that they did that.
2007-06-27 14:41:13 · answer #10 · answered by scott 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋