But censoring nudity isn’t the solution
Child sexual abuse includes behaviors beyond physical touching. Purposely exposing a child to adult sexuality, such as showing pornographic pictures, is considered a form of child sexual abuse, even if there is no physical contact. Non-touching behaviors can be just as harmful to a child as some touching behaviors. Examples of non-touching behaviors that are considered child sexual abuse include:
- Showing pornography to a child
- Exposing a person’s genitals to a child
- Asking children to expose themselves
- Asking a child to interact sexually with someone else
- Online enticement of a minor for sexual purposes
- Photographing a child in sexual poses
- Exposing a child to sexual acts (including masturbation) through digital, computer, or video images
Even having adult pornography or sexual toys in the home where a child could come across them has been viewed by authorities as sexual abuse in certain circumstances. Therefore, a photo of a nude child can indeed be considered child pornography, especially if it is sexually suggestive or exploitative.
In summary, the intent behind showing or possessing such images matters, and authorities take actions to protect children from harmful exposure.
However! Let’s explore the distinction between artistic nudity and child pornography:
- Artistic Nudity:
- Purpose: Artistic nudity is often depicted in various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. It serves as a means of expression, exploring themes such as beauty, vulnerability, and the human form.
- Intent: The primary intent behind artistic nudity is not sexual arousal. Instead, it aims to evoke emotions, provoke thought, or celebrate the human body as a subject of art.
- Context: Artistic nudity is typically presented within a cultural, historical, or aesthetic context. It can be found in museums, galleries, and other artistic spaces.
- Examples: Classical sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and contemporary photography often feature artistic nudity.
- Child Pornography:
- Definition: Child pornography involves sexually explicit images or videos of minors (individuals under the legal age of consent). It is a form of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Legal Perspective:
- Realistic Images: U.S. law distinguishes between pornographic images of an actual minor and realistic images that are not of an actual minor. The latter two categories (non-realistic images and drawings) are legally protected unless found to be obscene.
- Severity Scale: The COPINE scale categorizes child abuse images based on severity, distinguishing between non-erotic to explicit sexual content. This scale helps differentiate between child erotica (non-pornographic) and child pornography.
- Harmful Intent: Child pornography is created with harmful intent, often involving exploitation, grooming, and coercion of children. It is a crime and a serious form of child abuse.
In summary, artistic nudity celebrates the human form within an artistic context, while child pornography exploits and harms minors. The intent, context, and purpose play crucial roles in distinguishing between the two.
Now, I’m not saying we should all be posing photographs of our naked children to public albums (such as those found in this post). You should watch out for your children online as well. Some albums I do recommend being provided with a password and you can provide your photos with a password.
What I am saying is the more we censor silly, naked pics of our kids, the more we sexualize them. I don’t understand why a child’s bare backside needs to be censored. Like, it’s just a butt.
Am I the only one that thinks this kind of censorship is silly or do we need it to protect our kids? Sound off below!
Everyday Bares 