Just Let Loose ~ Nudity

Nudity…

Nakedness…

Ultimate Exposure…

BIRTHDAY SUIT!

We’ve all heard it one way or another, but have we ever discussed it? Probably not unless we were in Health class or having the “talk” with our parents (maybe?). Usually, subjects like this don’t always catch my attention due to the fact that I don’t exactly care about writing about it. Unfortunately, I came across a friend’s blog that talked about the term Nudity and his beliefs about it. Reading it, it’s very informative like being in class once again; however, there were still some thoughts that I found rather “open to discussion”, so to speak. I admit that it has taken me quite a while to finally post a response.

With that said, I must very much warn that this article is a response directly to the original blog entry (which can be read here:Nudity & My Beliefs - Kasigawa) and has included both my and other people’s opinions, which I was able to gather. Also, it is best to understand that everything written from here on out is based on perspectives and has no intentions of hurting anyone’s feelings. Many can agree or disagree.

Now, we are all familiar with the term nudity.

There are pros and cons to being nude or just the term of nudity and I don’t really like to get very much into detail for his blog has already done that for us. What I would really like to deal with in this post is his beliefs about nudity. Now, I am not one to judge others for their own beliefs and opinions on things because I have no right. However, I do believe that we have our rights to say what we want as well.

Let’s take a look on what Kasigawa has written pertaining to his belief of nudity:

“Foremost, I do not believe nudity is sexual, because sexuality implies immoral behavior or action. I believe nudity is normal. Everybody has a body and eventually knows what features the opposite gender has. I also believe it doesn’t affect children nor does harm to society. I believe nudity should be embraces and overlooked. This does not mean everyone should have the ability to walk around naked all the time or just because they can, it means when people see nudity they shouldn't be bothered by it. I believe clothes are to be worn to show decency and respect for others around them. However, I do believe there should be occasions in which nudity should be a tolerable and permissible; such as: days of high humidity and temperatures; maybe around water or certain recreational facilities (having the option of wearing a bathing suit or fitness clothes); around one’s home; public beaches; open baths or showers; or luxury locations (like tanning, spas and massage parlors). I believe nudity should be something that people sometimes see, but don’t mind or pay attention to; like a doctor working with a patient. I also believe that nudity can be a certain kind of innocence or form of humility. For example: I believe the allowance to see the body of another should be appreciated, depending on the individual’s physique (if it’s delightful to see or not), because they are demonstrating a sense of humility. I also find children having the freedom to run around without clothes shows a sense of innocence and purity. To me, it feels very harmonious and natural. In my own words, perhaps I see nudity in a way of an artists, because I love the human form. I think by allowing nudity to be a neutral coherence in society, individuals will sees similarities and how everyone is simply a human-being. I predict this will help with social harmony.” 

As one has read the passage above, I would like to take this time to dissect parts of what I find interesting and also discussable.

Let us begin.

…I do not believe nudity is sexual, because sexuality implies immoral behavior or action. I believe nudity is normal. Everybody has a body and eventually knows what features the opposite gender has…

Yes. I absolutely agree. Nudity shouldn’t be considered sexual. Based on one’s behavior is when anything can be mistaken. According to a dear friend, she wrote in response to this line: “to a certain degree I do agree with him. Nudity really should not be looked upon as sexual. There are a lot of hidden nudist tribes that prove this to be true…” We grow up in a society that has children learning about different parts of the body one way or another. So the “surprise” of what a guy or girl has is not really a surprise at all. Maybe in size would be a surprise….but that’s just a dirty joke that I apologize for if there are children reading. (SORRY!)

I believe clothes are to be worn to show decency and respect for others around them. However, I do believe there should be occasions in which nudity should be a tolerable and permissible; such as: days of high humidity and temperatures; maybe around water or certain recreational facilities (having the option of wearing a bathing suit or fitness clothes); around one’s home; public beaches; open baths or showers; or luxury locations (like tanning, spas and massage parlors)

Coming towards this passage, I couldn’t help but feel a vast sense of contradiction; then again I can sort of understand what he is saying. It sounds like he’s saying its okay but then not. “His opinion is kind of two sided. He is staying neutral. He is saying that nudity is ok. But, we should also wear clothes for certain occasions. I believe in this subject there is really no middle. It's either you are for it and you are completely against it,” states a fellow reader. So what is he really?

In such specific days, like a extremely hot summer day, it would be very nice to just strip down and walk naked to feel the breeze (if there is one) and feel fresh. However, women are not allowed to do such a thing in the type of society that we live in. We are even looked down upon (more like gawked at) when taking our shirts off to swim in our bathing suits. Men are free to keep their shirt off (however, it seems it differs in many states). If we lived in native tribes or kept the culture many of us from different parts of the world know about, then I guess it would be alright. But it’s not.

Many other countries have public beaches and open baths or showers that do allow people to be naked on the premises.  In the USA, it doesn’t seem to have that type of “luxury.” In Japan and Korea, there are bath houses that have people walk, socialize (though it’d be very awkward for most), and bathe in the same area. It’s part of their custom as he mentions in his blog. Unfortunately, again, we do not live in a society that accepts these types of things.

Maybe it’s just different in the United States because we build upon the lust and sexuality of people? How about in other countries?

In Brasil, “rich people are more conservative because they have money and the status to stay respectable. The poor tend to be dirty and trashy therefore can't afford nice clothes and they are not respectable people…” stated a Brasillian descend. 

According to one friend: “I agree that continual exposure desensitizes a person, or population in this case, but I do not believe public nudity should be a common place activity in our society. Clothing was designed with a purpose to keep innocence and privacy.” With this, it is true. Again, based on how everything is and how different it is from everywhere else, the option of being nude should only be kept private.

We all know what is going on out there or anywhere. The world is not safe anymore.

I believe nudity should be something that people sometimes see, but don’t mind or pay attention to; like a doctor working with a patient.

As much as I would love this idea to be true, it seems like it would be impossible. Why? Our mind has been tainted after learning what is right and wrong while growing up; we learned that nudity is supposed to be private. Those “professionals” like a doctor working with a patient is being paid because it’s a different situation. It is their job to be able to handle any situation about the human body. Not everyone is a doctor or a professional surgeon. However, even in the medical field, patients are usually covered to provide a sense of comfort and security than being exposed. Also, they are covered to make sure that other parts of the body are not openly exposed to contaminated contents when performing surgery or even a general check up.

I also believe that nudity can be a certain kind of innocence or form of humility. For example: I believe the allowance to see the body of another should be appreciated, depending on the individual’s physique (if it’s delightful to see or not), because they are demonstrating a sense of humility.

This has gotten me a bit confused. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what he is truly saying. The “allowance” makes it seem like we have every right to look at another person’s body; however, there’s a requirement? Based on my understanding of this passage, it seems that we should be allowed to appreciate the exposed body of another when he or she is physically fit. So those who are overweight, old – basically anyone who is not fit and toned – are not allowed to reveal their physique and be appreciated for their bodies. I don’t find the humility and innocence in that if we are setting specific qualifications.

In island cultures, men and women have different body types. Unlike the stereotypical portrayal of “sexy islanders,” everyone comes in all shapes and sizes. And we are all deemed beautiful. Back in the native era, men and women didn’t have clothing but were still appreciated because it was just how it is. How are we able to seek innocence and humility like mentioned above if we can’t appreciate a fat man walking around with no shirt on? How about a woman who is old and wrinkled? Admit it. It would be disturbing and made as a joke among friends and whoever else is around. 

What is humility then? Isn’t it the quality or condition of being humble? How about being humble? It is said not to be proud or arrogant. It means to be modest. So the talk of humility of itself doesn’t seem to coincide with what Kasigawa says.

I admit that I may have misunderstood this passage completely but it still seems illogical.

In my own words, perhaps I see nudity in a way of an artists, because I love the human form.

“An artist’s see a human body as a form of art because they can actually form some sort of art with it. Not just by looking at another human’s body. So is he saying that he is willing to look at guys bodies and be ok with it because it is a form of art? No I don't think so,” a reader rebuts.

I must agree with what the other reader stated as a form of rebuttal. Unless it is actually used for an art project (i.e. a nude model posing for an art class), then his statement is invalid if a person is not using it as art.

I, too, love art in various forms. Nude art has been around for many centuries and has been vastly appreciated around the world. It had a story to tell. I also love science and anatomy. I love learning about how the body functions and how it all works in a human being. But here’s the deal, I love anatomy but I won't ask you to strip for me or say, “IT IS ALL FOR SCIENCE/ART!”

Another thing, one cannot truly love the human form if one is picky.

Everything else he has mentioned is pretty much what I would like to see. There is a possibility that it could help with social harmony but it will be very tricky. With how the minds are today, innocent things can be flipped and taken dirty. It’s like adding, “That’s what she said” to every statement, revealing the childish mentality of people (although some are just funny).

I personally believe that nudity should be private, either with oneself or to your spouse. Many will not agree with me but that is okay. This is what open discussion is all about. It is taking great minds that are open to anything and questioning what could and couldn't be.