How Nudity at Home Affects Children

The Sexual liberation of the 70's has led to a behavioural change related to modesty and nudity. At that time they used to say that walking naked in front of children is not a problem, adding that this helps them to better accept their bodies, not to be ashamed of their body, and to be free of the taboos relating to sexuality. In today's time, child psychiatrists and psychologists agree that preferably it is best to avoid being naked in front of the children and that it is necessary to preserve some modesty. How can we explain such a divergence of views?

When nudity is synonymous with freedom!

At that time, they thought that they should live naturally or they reasoned out that a healthy body has nothing to hide and should not be burdened with unnecessary taboos. Some parents think that if their children see them naked, it will help them to release the grip of sexual repression and they can live a great sexual life when they are adults. They think that by being naked in front of their children, they can desexualise nudity in a way, since they have no sexual intent themselves and that this has nothing to do with exhibitionism.

Understanding the inconvenience

However, the lack of modesty in the family is not quite trivial. So many stories teach us that children are often shy in front of the nakedness of their parents, but they dare not speak. Parents should see this discomfort, understand, and adapt their behaviour according to the reactions of the child. Thus, while avoiding excessive prudishness, it is usually better not be naked in front of the children, particularly in the common rooms of the house such as the living room or the kitchen. The psychoanalysts give a theoretical explanation for this recommendation ...

Psychoanalyses point of view

Parents should be aware that when they are naked, even if they do not implicate anything sexual, it is not the same for the child. They could have desires for the parent of the opposite sex but these desires stay imaginary. This is what psychoanalysis calls the phase of the Oedipus complex.

However, if the child is confronted directly with the sexuality of parents his desires no longer remain unconscious as he is faced by reality. He prefers to shut down his desires which cannot be developed. This may pose problems to their sexuality in adulthood. Thus, nude parents can create mental tension for the child and the only way to defuse this tension is to relinquish his desire.

Psychology advises parents not to stay naked in front of children but instead they should educate their children as they are the only people who want the best for their child. Do not hesitate to compare views and ask other parents what attitude they have adopted.

Sources:

http://christian.families.com/blog/teaching-our-children-modesty