The importance of nudity and being touched

Private parts refer to parts of the body that we may want (or are required to) cover. Private parts include the buttocks, genitals, and female breasts. Girls are discouraged from showing their panties. Boys learn to keep the penis hidden. It can be considered indecent to show too much naked meat. Parents often express embarrassment at the idea that their children may see nudity or sexual activity. But there is no reason for children to be harmed by nudity. Children should know what adult nudity is like.

People wear clothes to keep warm and protect the body. Nudity can be embarrassing because bodies are so different. Nudity tends to generate a lot of curiosity in both genders. Differences in physical appearance can make us feel insecure and embarrassed. As we age, we may feel embarrassed by the effects of aging or having a less than perfect body.

Nudity is not always intended to excite anyone. Men need explicit images to help them reach orgasm without a partner. The pornographic images involve close-up shots of the genitals, typically a penis penetrating through an orifice. Censorship exists to limit the distribution of images that offend women. Some images use clothing to accentuate the female anatomy, such as the breasts or buttocks. Sexual manifestations can be implicit in a woman’s facial expression or what she says. Other images are simply in poor taste or lack human dignity.

Men do not want women to see their penis flaccid (not erect) because it is often quite small. Men also do not want their arousal to be apparent where it is not appreciated. Men may feel embarrassed if their arousal is visible to others. Most men want to know that they will appreciate their erection before showing it. A woman can laugh at nervous embarrassment and the last thing a man wants is for a woman to laugh at his penis.

Censorship restricts the representation of nudity to protect the dignity of the individual. Women often feel exploited because someone else gets turned on by their nudity. Men rarely express the same concern, perhaps because men see themselves as having more control over their sexual choices. Also, a man rarely finds himself in the situation where another person uses his nakedness to get turned on.

Men enjoy nude images because they find them exciting. Gay male pornography has little impact on society in general. But images of women targeting straight men are everywhere. The female body is sexualized and objectified (projected in such a way as to provoke male arousal). These images give misleading impressions about the sexual availability and will of women. These fictitious media are confusing for boys and dangerous for girls.

Many women prefer not to wear their clothes to avoid the attention they inevitably get from men. Female modesty is due to women’s lack of confidence in their bodies. Women do not want to be judged by men, who can be very critical and insulting of women they do not find attractive. Media images of young women with perfect bodies enhanced by computer technology make women feel that their bodies are ugly. But men enjoy a variety of different female genitalia, breasts, and body shapes.

Children should know that other people may touch them in some way, but not in an inappropriate way. They must also understand that nudity is not always acceptable. This does not mean that they should be ashamed of their bodies. With those we love, in the family, among friends, nudity can be acceptable as long as everyone is comfortable with it. But we are expected to abide by the social conventions of the society in which we live. Many people feel very anxious unless they conform to social norms.

When we touch another person, it is an attempt to show confidence. It can be an invitation or an offer of greater intimacy. There are cultural differences. What is acceptable in one culture or family may be unacceptable in another. Different personalities are also more inclined to touch each other in daily life. Customs about what is considered an appropriate display of intimacy, both within and outside the family group, vary from culture to culture.

Most people avoid touching other adults out of respect for individual privacy. Inappropriate contact refers to someone who tries to touch another person in their private parts or in their vicinity. No one is obligated to allow another person to touch them, even innocently. Children generally do not appreciate someone else touching their genitals. Men usually want a lover who stimulates their genitals. The desire for genital stimulation is a characteristic of male responsiveness and is therefore only relevant after the boy has reached adolescence. Women enjoy more platonic ways of touching their bodies in general that can be used to communicate affection.

Women often complain that their husbands never touch them unless they want to have sex. (Michele Weiner-Davis 2010)