Why oh why must nudity always be associated with sexuality?

Because we are used to being in an unnatural state. Naturalness feels utterly foreign to most people. Thus the human body has become fetishized.

It is often not. I was almost naked at the doc’s today. That paper gown hardly counts. And the encounter was hardly sexual.

@gailcalled: But why did you have the gown in the first place? Because it has become shameful to show your naked body. I would think a doctor’s office would be the one place where you could be completely naked sans silly paper gown without shame.

Even if nudity is not always associated with sexuality, it is very often associated with sexuality which, in my humble opinion, is not cool.

IMO it’s all in the eye of the beholder and beholden. There are a few bodies I see at the gym that IMO should not ever be naked. But even that is a stereotype that is wrong in it’s own right.

@KatawaGrey That reminds me of a time I was at a doctor’s office getting a mole removed from between my breasts. They draped both of my breasts with those paper towels and one of them slid off and the doctor got all nervous, tried to put it back without touching my boob, it fell off again and he was acting so nervous about it, I grabbed it and put it back. I really wanted to say, “you’re a doctor, it’s just a boob, leave the paper off and get on with the removal.”

We wear clothing for many other reasons besides covering our genitals, of course. If I lived in Alaska I would certainly be “unnatural” most of the time. I think @wundayatta is right however, in saying that the body is fetishized.

@quasi: It’s true that clothing has many purposes but often it is unnecessary. For example, I’m in CT and it is hot as Hades out. Why must I remain clothed if a friend comes over to my apartment? It is simply more comfortable for me to be naked in extreme heat and cheaper than turning on the air conditioning. However, I must remain clothed even if I have no intention of engaging in sexual activity with that person.

@chyna: It seems ridiculous to me that boobs are so sexual. I’ve got a pair of knockers on me and, sometimes, someone touches one accidentally when moving past me or handing me something or reaching out to look at my necklace or brush the hair off my shoulder and they immediately get all flustered and start apologizing profusely.

Because when we have sex, it is usually with a naked individual. Thus, Nakedness reminds us of sex..

Like the others stated, we’re already used to being in an unnatural state, and when you see someone naked, its usually because sex will follow. I feel we should start the progress of re introducing nakedness in society. I would have no problem having naked functions like picnics, or even just in underwear.

We have a visual culture based heavily on sexuality (or vice-versa), its hard to turn that off I guess.

Because a year or two ago, when I was still in my “prime,” any attractive woman’s nudity was sexual without question. Only recently in my life have things changed from “AH, TITS!” to “ah, tits.” It is about maturity, and that’s exactly why we should keep tabs on nudity. Spare the horny teenagers.

Maybe if I got laid more, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem. . . But I think I still have a point.

@KatawaGrey the gown is not just to cover a shy body it is also to prevent infection from spreading all about the room depending on what’s going on with you and your body.

@judochop Nah, it’s about the naked body.

Because a lot of the so called “grownups” are really children.

no clue. i think clothes should only be used to keep us warm and protect from the sun

If we should be casual / asexual about nudity, what do you think of a lovely, 44 yr old mom standing totally naked in a doorway having a (non-sexual) discussion with her 11 yr old son for ten minutes? Is that healthy too?

yes

Because when you’re naked, your sex organs are exposed, and the only thing most adults associate with those unusually exposed parts is sex.

I would ask the next question, which is, why is “sexuality” always associated with sexual acts? Simply put, because of the way humans reproduce, we are sexual beings. This natural sexual energy, however, is taught to be wrong or sinful, which results in a dysfunctional perspective of our own sexuality (or sexuality in general). This leads to a range of unhealthy effects from confusing thoughts and shame to dangerous behaviors.

We are free to see human bodies for what they are, sexuality for what it is, and sexual expression and sex acts for what they are. The problem is that most people don’t see things for what they are, and that leads to confusion, inappropriate associations, embarrassment, and discomfort.

@Aster, I hope you aren’t exposing yourself to your 11 year old son.

@Afos22 Some people grow up more mature and in different cultures than others, there is nothing wrong with it.

@Aster: In my family, we’re not shy. My mom and I have no problems having conversations with each other while or the other of us is getting dressed or undressed. The same was true of my mom and my grandpa. I think if there are no sexual over or undertones, then there’s nothing wrong with it.

@Afos22 No way!!Never had a son.