Parents

Kids are natural nudists, it’s we parents who put clothes on them. The human body is nothing to be ashamed of or hide and it’s doing so that causes problems for folks. That said, how a particular kid reacts to social nudity depends on their background, age, and personality. Generally speaking, the younger they are the easier it is for them. Upper elementary school age through high school is tougher if they’ve not been raised with nudity. Ideas and attitudes become fixed, insecurities, hormones, and sexuality, what a mess. Personal experience with our friends’ kids, ages 2 through 8 at first exposure was just fine. A little bit of oh-my-god-everybody’s-naked at first, quickly becoming just fine to them. A lot of kids don’t mind being around nudity but prefer to remain clothed. No problem. Don’t force it.

What about nudism with foster and adoptive kids?

This is a gray area. We are unaware of any problems with foster kids and nudity, and kids don’t usually mind, but it’s always a good idea to ask your social worker or the child’s parents.

Family nudity can be a tricky topic because of cultural values, but it can be healthy for families to be nude around each other. In fact, treating nudity as natural and normal can help your children develop a healthy body image and safer dating practices as they grow up. However, it’s important that you practice family nudity safely. You can do this by teaching your kids about nudity, setting rules establishing boundaries, and addressing potential problems. Keep reading for more insight on how to safely practice naturism in your family.

Things You Should Know

Explain to your children that nudity is not about sexuality but that it is a natural state. Avoid expressing your sexuality around your kids.
Model positive body image in front of your kids, and help them create personal boundaries so they know that whether they’re naked or not, they’re in charge of their bodies.
Answer questions your kids might have about nudity and sex without judgment so that they know there’s nothing shameful about being naked.
Educate your children on different cultural views on nudity, and let them know their friends may not agree with or understand your family’s nudity, and that’s OK.

Tips

Family nudity isn’t harmful to children as long as each family member’s boundaries are respected. In fact, it can build a healthy body image and healthy dating decisions when they’re older.
Your child will likely start feeling more modest around the time they hit puberty. During this time, they may want to cover up more, so follow their lead.

Warnings

Be careful when discussing family nudity with people because they may not understand your values. They might misunderstand your family’s comfort with nudity as being unnatural and sexual.
It may be difficult for your children to practice family nudity after they go to school because it’s not widely accepted. Talk to your child and respect their preferences when it comes to nudity.

Things You Should Know

Tips

Warnings

References