Do You Object to Nude Babies at the Beach?

Do You Object to Nude Babies at the Beach?

May 20, 2009

by POPSUGAR Moms 24

In foreign countries babies strip down to their diapers or bare bums and tear across the beach enjoying the sunshine, water and freedom from clothing. Girls and women go topless and wade in the surf wearing just bottoms and no one bats an eye or does a double take. But in America, most people keep themselves and their kids — even wee babes — covered with a pair of swim trunks or a bathing suit. Does it bother you when youngsters soak up warm weather in just their birthday suits?

Poll Parenting Nudity

24 Comments

2 years 4 weeks

I object nude babies/kids at the beach (or elsewhere) for the following reasons: - Pedophiles - Some people (like me) are uncomfortable with seeing naked kids - swimsuits also protect them from the sun - a beach is no litter box. Some kids would even pee on other people's feet and that's disgusting. - When they grow up, kids may be uncomfortable with the fact that they used to swim naked when they were younger. I went swimming nude ONE time when i was ~ 4 years old because I had no swimsuit and today I feel very uncomfortable about the fact that I was naked in front of so many strangers. Btw, I'm from Europe and I hate it when people aren't at least as prude as the average American and let their kids run around on the beach naked. It's disgusting!

2 years 49 weeks

I have absolutely no objection to letting kids be kids... and that includes letting em romp in their birthday suits or skinny dipping. Sunscreen lotion is a must, but I wouldn't have a problem with seeing bare bums more often at the beach as long as there's no objection to the rest of us breaking into a smile!

3 years 42 weeks

I live in the Uk and don't think anything of it. I remember playing naked on the beach when i was 2 or 3 years old. what the problem. yes i know about paedophiles, (i was abused myself) and no it wasn't cos i was running about naked on the beach when i was 2. Paedophiles will target kids, how ever they (the kids) are dressed

Frank y Ava 4 years 21 h

<em>I'm so tired of the "Americans are prudes" line. It's a difference of opinion, no need to insult those who disagree. </em>Americans in general are a lot more conservative than Europeans, Africans, and South Americans when it comes to nudity. A 5 year-old with no top is no big thing in France and even a young boy with no swimming trunks. I just think young children should be young children for as long as possible.

Frank y Ava 4 years 21 h

I'm so tired of the "Americans are prudes" line. It's a difference of opinion, no need to insult those who disagree. Americans in general are a lot more conservative than Europeans, Africans, and South Americans when it comes to nudity. A 5 year-old with no top is no big thing in France and even a young boy with no swimming trunks. I just think young children should be young children for as long as possible.

4 years 2 days

I'm so tired of the "Americans are prudes" line. It's a difference of opinion, no need to insult those who disagree.

POPSUGAR Beauty 4 years 2 days

I can't understand why anybody would object to nude kids at the beach. It's not sexual, and I think it's better to have kids feel good in their bodies rather than develop a sense of shame. I was at a beach a few days ago, and women were topless while kids were either naked or wearing bottoms only. It was totally fine. I think we Americans are often too prudish and worried about something that's natural.

Michelann 4 years 3 days

I agree that there's a certain age (probably around 2) when this becomes inappropriate, but for very small children it doesn't bother me. Also, for those worried about pedophiles, it seems unreasonable to me that a pedophile would be able to assault a child simply because they saw them naked at the beach. Where's the opportunity?

4 years 3 days

She didn't say it was sexual, she said it was inappropriate. I agree, a 5-year-old spread eagle on the sand is inappropriate and I'd never allow it.

4 years 3 days

I have to say that for a small child to run naked at the beach, it's not a sexual thing for them. Who doesn't bend over? They're simply exploring the world around them. No, I don't agree with a 5 year old running naked, but probably up to 2 is fine. (Yes, I have 3 kids.) I also don't agree with people letting their child use the beach as a bathroom, but don't forget how many other animals do! Most parents aren't going to let their kids run nude for long and especially if they think its anywhere close to bathroom time!

Aimeelo 4 years 3 days

I was at the beach recently and a couple let their little one (1 yr-ish) run naked and then let their older girl (5 ish) go naked too because she didn't have a swim suit. It was a little inappropriate to me bc she was bending over, spreading her legs and rolling all over the sand. Being naked one thing, but spread eagle in the sand is another. I think i would draw the line at 1 year for being naked at the beach

sunnybee2009 4 years 3 days

I don't think i object to nude babies but personally I would put my daughter in a swim suit and nappy simply because i dont want her to go to the toilet all over the beach

Frank y Ava 4 years 3 days

Bottoms I understand but I don't get why parents say they always will put tops on their young daughters because of pedophiles.Pedophiles are turned on by pre-pubescence and may be equally turned on by a 5 year-old boy with no shirt on. Yes yes some pedophiles are attracted to girls but most are attracted to boys. Parents let their sons walk outside w/o a shirt and don't think about it. Now of course if she's 12 and developing I get that but for a young girl to walk around w/o a shirt (at the beach/pool/backyard not randomly) is no big thing imo. So yea I don't get the whole objecting to nude babies (especially if they have bottoms on).

Frank y Ava 4 years 3 days

Bottoms I understand but I don't get why parents say they always will put tops on their young daughters because of pedophiles. Pedophiles are turned on by pre-pubescence and may be equally turned on by a 5 year-old boy with no shirt on. Yes yes some pedophiles are attracted to girls but most are attracted to boys. Parents let their sons walk outside w/o a shirt and don't think about it. Now of course if she's 12 and developing I get that but for a young girl to walk around w/o a shirt (at the beach/pool/backyard not randomly) is no big thing imo. So yea I don't get the whole objecting to nude babies (especially if they have bottoms on).

caligirl101 4 years 3 days

The nudity doesn't bother me, it's the going to the bathroom everywhere that bothers me.

4 years 3 days

Not to sound overprotective, but i worry about pedophiles. Yes i keep both my eyes on my kids at all times, but i believe keeping them clothed at the beach might take away some of the risk.

4 years 3 days

I agree with a lot of the above - it doesn't offend me, it just doesn't make sense to me. Do I really want to rub sunscreen all over my son's penis? And yeah, if the child is in a diaper then they're going to turn the beach into a giant litterbox. Gross.

Akpril

Akpril 4 years 3 days

I would have a problem with it- little kids still have to go to the bathroom even if they don't have a diaper on. The idea of the beach turning into a giant litter box freaks me out.

bluepuppybites 4 years 3 days

Correction- they grow up not covering everything up, and they probably do so not thinking its fat or ugly

bluepuppybites 4 years 3 days

Just the lack of sun protection bothers me. Though I'm assuming these foreign mommies are putting on the sunblock. What got me thinking is I don't hear about eating problems like obesity and anerexia in other countries the way it's talked about hear, maybe because they don't mind showing off their nude bodies all the time, they grow up not covering everything up thinking its fat and ugly. Or it could be that I don't live in a foreign country and just don't hear about it.

Kimpossible 4 years 3 days

I'm with ski on this one - completely. also on the lack of sun protection issue. even the best of sun screens often ins't enough for a child - unless you're steadfast about reapplying regularly.

skigurl 4 years 3 days

i don't see it necessary to let kids run around totally nude all day long but if the kid is getting changed and feels like running around for a couple minutes or something, that's fine. but in general, i can't see why you can't put a bathing suit on them...it doesn't OFFEND me whatsoever it just doesn't make sense

mod16 4 years 3 days

i think babies just wearing diapers is ok.. but that is as far as i would go when it comes to bringing my baby out in public

kia 4 years 3 days

My only objection to baby nudity at the beach is if there are no sun protection precautions.