Commentary by AANR Executive Director Erich Schuttauf…
Who knew that an article appearing two weeks ago in The New York Times entitled “When Do They Need a Fig Leaf?” about parental attitudes toward nudity and children would generate so much discussion? From journalists to child experts to everyday people, it seems everyone has an opinion about whether it is proper to be nude in front of one’s own children at home, for the kids to be nude, what to do about guests, and whether romping in the backyard sprinkler au naturel is okay.
For those of you who saw the original Times piece the letters to the editor which appeared days later and included an “official” response from AANR or the reader comments on the Times website, there are many words from parents and professionals alike in which to find comfort.
The same is true for opinions on a Today show television segment. And “spinoff” stories appearing in other media spurred by the intensity of interest in this topic…
Clearly, there are many people who may not consider themselves nudists who believe that nudity is a natural, healthy choice for families.
However, you owe it to yourselves and your clubs to peruse the comments, quips, and in a few cases vitriolic outbursts, from those who disagree with family nudity of any kind. A range of objections from claims it is unsanitary—just about every news article, it seems, had to include some jarring mention of toddlers taking an unexpected whiz on the lawn—to immoral, rude, even outright dangerous to allow any nudity beyond individual showering.
This speaks to an issue that may be lost in the very true statistics we often cite about how many North Americans have gone skinny-dipping, or think beaches should be set aside for nude bathing: the vehement, even chauvinist attitudes of those who disapprove of nudity. In their exaggerated reports, refusal to consider facts, and protests that they “DON’T care how families do things in Europe,” one understands why their must be organizations like AANR, its regions, and clubs to provide a credible voice to counter bald assertions and “what ifs.”
Please remember stories like this the next time someone poolside asks, “Why do nudists need AANR?”
