(North) American Prudes

Nebb · July 2010

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/07/13/european.nudes/index.html?hpt=C2

Do you think Americans (Im going to say NORTH americans, because I dont think things are much different in Canada either) are prudes regarding nudity - both in public and on tv/media?

MarriedInAFever · July 2010

For sure.

Nebb · July 2010

I personally think that were way over sexualized, but outwardly prudish.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · July 2010

I'd say mostly the older generation, DEFINITELY - and that has a way of rubbing off on some of the younger generation. But I think our generation is a lot "less prudish" than the former one.

kd.joseph · July 2010

After going to Europe I have to say yes. But I think with some of the T.V. shows on now we're moving away from that a bit.

Rosie109 · July 2010

I read the title as (North) American Prunes and was very excited.

[Deleted User] · July 2010

I'm a prude, I can admit it. I don't want to see naked people walking around on the beach or wherever (mostly men). On TV I don't find it as big a deal, I can change the channel if I don't want to watch. True Blood is full of boobs and butts, doesn't bother me a bit. But I don't even like sleeping naked, it makes me uncomfortable, like someone can see me through the pitch black room and closed curtains. I have issues.

That being said, there is a private nude beach around where I grew up that our neighbors went to a few times (they are nudists). They said they'll never go back because everywhere you looked were men playing with themselves. Apparently we're not as sophisticated as European nude beach-goers. The thought of what I might see here now scares me.

MarriedInAFever · July 2010

I remember seeing a naked man in a newspaper my grandparents brought home from England and being SHOCKED.

Also, Nebb, I agree. I think we're somehow over-sexualized and still prudish and I'm not sure how we managed that.

Nebb · July 2010

Its 100% legal to walk around topless here and has been for what feels like forever and I wont even tan in my back yard topless, it just makes me feel hinky - like im doing something bad. I also doubt my next door neighbor wants to see my tits. Im rather prudish with my own body, but I have no problem with nudity on others - I actually really like naked people.

missy68 · July 2010

I have to say, if I saw someone walking down my street naked, I'd probably call 911. I would assume medications were not taken or someone wasn't watching an adult who needed watching.

Naked on TV/Movies? Bring it on. I'm not bothered by it.

I think kids are exposed to too much sexually charged material - videos, images, "idols" (a term I'm using VERY loosely), dolls - and it is especially making the girls more focused on looking older. When I was teaching 5th grade, I saw a girl's purse and she had more makeup in there than I had at home (at least that I actively used). She also had a diary I looked at (we periodically did desk checks when I suspected cheating/note passing going on) and she was talking about BJs, etc at TEN years old.
It made me want to cry.

MarriedInAFever · July 2010

Speaking of nudity on TV and movies...

Why is it that there is SO much female nudity that's it normal and I think even PG-13 rated sometimes, but if there is peen, people completely freak out?

raynes · July 2010

Yeah, Europe is so different than here. We saw many nekkid people in Greece.

He might kill me for saying this, but on our last day on Santorini, Derek wanted (and did) a nude picture. No junk showing, his legs were arranged to hide the package, but I guess he was inspired by all the nude people. Rather out of character for him.

rhodesign · July 2010

Before I even read the article I gave a resounding 'Hell Yeah!'
Then I read it. And I still agree.

I wonder if the reason we're so overly-sexualized is because we're also taught to be so prudish--to be ashamed of our bodies because you can only expose it for sexual purposes. If we were exposed to natural nudity (people at beaches occasionally just minding their own business, breastfeeding openly, etc.) and nobody freaked out and told you to cover up or else--maybe we wouldn't see nudity as a big deal and not sexualize the human body so much.

Nebb · July 2010

I think sexualized behavior is how our society is breaking past the prudishness, its not in plain sight, so it isnt as "offensive". Im curious if european countries are that sexualized (kids sexting, idiotic shows where all the contestants just sleep around, etc).

missy68 · July 2010

Fever - I think it is because it is a sex organ. You can't see the female sex organ, either (think about it - no interior crotch shots).

But, if you watch Terminator and All the Right Moves just the right way....

sarahmk5 · July 2010

I like how the author frames the nudity, and while he even says he's uncomfortable with it, it's a bit ridiculous when it comes to art and television meant to inform. I'm definitely prudish, and Europe was a huge shock. I don't really mind it, but a nude beach is not for me. Anyway, I agree that we're much more prudish.

sarahmk5 · July 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_north-american-prudes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6acaa9e3-f99d-4e21-b3cd-86c4abedf767Post:fd0259ef-3912-4f8d-b397-75b39195325e">Re: (North) American Prudes</a>:
[QUOTE]Before I even read the article I gave a resounding 'Hell Yeah!' Then I read it. And I still agree. I wonder if the reason we're so overly-sexualized is because we're also taught to be so prudish--to be ashamed of our bodies because you can only expose it for sexual purposes. If we were exposed to natural nudity (people at beaches occasionally just minding their own business, breastfeeding openly, etc.) and nobody freaked out and told you to cover up or else--maybe we wouldn't see nudity as a big deal and not sexualize the human body so much.
Posted by rhodesign[/QUOTE]

<div>That's a really, really good point.</div>

Nebb · July 2010

I also think our society brands things that are natural and not offensive as "inappropriate" and it creates a stigma for things like that. I got lectured by a mother at a restaurant for saying tampon when her kids were at her table.

MarriedInAFever · July 2010

I get that it's a sex organ and doesn't have a place in countless movies. But I think if I were to make a P appearance v. V appearance chart, the peen would be seriously outnumbered.

Nebb · July 2010

You dont really see vag in movies though, just bush.

katiewhompus · July 2010

I agree with the over-sexualized but prude thought. I also think we gain a lot of the prude mentality when you hit your late 20's (in general). I remember as a teen if I went to a club I would wear revealing clothing, flirt like mad, etc. Most of the teens in my school are more put together than I am, and only sometimes in a good way. I don't know if it's part of the teen rebellion phase or if after a certain age you get tired of seeing people's asses hanging out and go "ugh, that's what I look like, time for longer shorts"

It terrifies me that 10 year olds are getting blow job. It makes me so sad that you need to have the sex talk when kids are just starting school. I do remember (vaguely) having a sex talk with my mom in 1st grade though, because high schoolers on the bus were talking about sex and I asked her what it was and if I could do it.

rhodesign · July 2010

forgive my prudish upbringing, but the words peen and vag make me giggle

september's bride · July 2010

There was a nude beach at the resort we stayed at on our honeymoon, and while it was a novelty for us to go over there at sunset (you could wear clothes after 5pm, although you didn't have to put them on at 5 if you were already over there and nekkid) it wasn't a novelty for all the German, Dutch, French and Belgian couples that were there.

There was always a cluster of US/Canadian guests trying to get up the nerve to go over to the beach, and all the Europeans thought we were insane. That's when I really saw the different cultural viewpoints on nudity. One older German man commented to me, "Maybe you think this is weird at first, but this is actually what is natural. The nudity stops being so foreign once everyone is naked."

luckyme502 · July 2010

I think Europeans are just as sexual as we are, they just don't hide it in the closet like we do. They expect that teenagers and young adults are going to have sex, a lot. Germany is the second largest producer of porn, US is the first. European TV puts soft core porn on regular TV after 9 or 10.

deepcovejackie · July 2010

Culturally, I think North Americans are waaay behind Europe in this way. Our culture is guilty of both prudishness and the oversexualizion of the human body, particularly breasts.

I think it's kind of sick that some women are made to feel like they're doing something wrong by feeding their baby where someone *might* be able to catch a glimpse of breast. Yet in strip clubs, women get money shoved in their g-string for exposing themselves.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · July 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_north-american-prudes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6acaa9e3-f99d-4e21-b3cd-86c4abedf767Post:b9c71628-ffa2-4f09-b145-d800d82343bd">Re: (North) American Prudes</a>:
[QUOTE]I personally think that were way over sexualized, but outwardly prudish.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

I think those things are related in a way. I think there is a lot of unhealthy sexualization in our media. and no one wants to talk frankly about sex and sexuality. In other countries, there's a lot more healthy sexuality and an open dialogue. When you see something as shameful and dirty, people are going to capitalize on that and celebrate the raunchiness of something for shock and entertainment value.

It's similar to drinking in France and other places. It is what it is - a few sips of wine are a part of life. There isn't a culture of alcohol being bad or forbidden, and thus there's no culture of binge drinking and overindulgence, which is the "bad" part of drinking, vs the "good" part of something to enjoy, something to celebrate your culture, etc.

Bubbalub · July 2010

I agree with pp about North America being prudish yet oversexualizing the body. Now, mind you, I may very well have a different view of the human body. I started drawing and painting nudes (in classes) when I was 17. To me the human form is more than just breasts and penis. It is literal form, shape, value, beauty. Seeing nudes is not offensive to me and I have a painting (that I painted) in our spare room of a full-frontal male nude that I did back in college. No one that has been in our house seems to care.

Granted, I have been horrified by nudity on occasion. Seeing a VERY overweight prostitute standing on the corner with her shirt open and her breasts hanging out repulsed me. But I feel that the revulsion I felt was more due to the fact that she was using them to advertise the sex trade than the fact that she was half-naked.

(North) American Prudes

Re: (North) American Prudes

2011 Reading Challenge

Choose Another Board

Search Boards