Here is my fourth posting based on the documentary Whats The Problem With Nudity?
This part presented some of the more challenging data to me. My view of sex and nudity is that nudity does not equal sex, and any link between the two is learned, not innate. The documentary echoes instead the general view of the masses that nudity is associated with sexuality, and being undressed is apparently very much like a sexual encounter for textiles. However hard the volunteer participants tried, they apparently couldnt escape the intense emotions brought about by the simple act of undressing.
Is there a purpose to these emotions, at least for those who associate nudity with sex? UCLA Professor Dan Fessler believes so.
Fessler says minor inappropriate exposure of the body results in embarrassment. More grossly inappropriate exposure of the body and sexuality results in shame, and shame may be a self-defence mechanism. When a person has failed to be adequately modest and learns that others have found out, he or she feels great shame. Through this shame, they are signalling that they know what the standard is and that they have failed in this regard, and that they dont want to be punished for this failure.
All humans are sensitive to sexual modesty, even in cultures where nudity is the norm. Fessler believes this may be the direct result of our large brains. A newborns brain is not completely developed. In fact, despite the quick progress made during the first year, a child remains helpless for a number of years. Children require much care, so the mating strategy is one where couples pair for life (theoretically) to make sure the children are cared for.
But humans are more social than the average primate. We live in large populations and cooperate with many people. There is a more or less constant source of temptation. Cheating on a partner is always a possibility, for either sex. While its not stated explicitly, the possible shame of being discovered would discourage most people from even attempting to flaunt societys rules.
According to the authors of the documentary, the human body is a supreme sexual advertisement. Flaunting the nude body can send out a dangerous message, or so they say. Nudity would be a threat to the basic social contract, an invitation to defection. To expose the person, the body and the sexual self in way that presents an opportunity for sexual behaviour outside the main sexual relationship can disrupt the social fabric. Therefore, the shame of nudity encourages us to stay faithful to our partners and share in the upbringing of children.
However, an exercise undertaken by the volunteers in the documentary shows another aspect. At one point, four of the eight participants are made to undress one of the other four. All this happens in the same room in full view of everyone. Then, they are given green, yellow and red paint. They are to paint areas of their vis--vis body that are safe to touch in green, parts that are doubtful in yellow, and the off-limits parts in red. Generally, one would expect to find quite a bit of yellow and red. But in this second day of casual nudity, green was abundant, even in the genital area in some cases. After this much time spent together where at least some were naked for some time, the participants had become very matter-of-fact about nudity. Not all of them, but most of them. Footage from the last day of shooting showed them enjoying a wine and cheese activity while totally naked. From all appearances, everyone had grown quite comfortable to being naked in each other's presence.
Their attitudes and inhibitions had changed. And it shows that were not born with sexual modesty. Were therefore free to shift the boundaries of whats acceptable and what isnt. So long as everyone agrees, we can make new rules and avoid the risk of offense, just like at a nudist centre, to use their expression.
In the house where the experiment was being filmed, after two days naked in each others presence, the volunteers had created their own rules. And by their rules, nudity was mostly okay.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SocialCO Media, LLC or True NudistsThis part presented some of the more challenging data to me. My view of sex and nudity is that nudity does not equal sex, and any link between the two is learned, not innate. The documentary echoes instead the general view of the masses that nudity is associated with sexuality, and being undressed is apparently very much like a sexual encounter for textiles. However hard the volunteer participants tried, they apparently couldnt escape the intense emotions brought about by the simple act of undressing.
Is there a purpose to these emotions, at least for those who associate nudity with sex? UCLA Professor Dan Fessler believes so.
Fessler says minor inappropriate exposure of the body results in embarrassment. More grossly inappropriate exposure of the body and sexuality results in shame, and shame may be a self-defence mechanism. When a person has failed to be adequately modest and learns that others have found out, he or she feels great shame. Through this shame, they are signalling that they know what the standard is and that they have failed in this regard, and that they dont want to be punished for this failure.
All humans are sensitive to sexual modesty, even in cultures where nudity is the norm. Fessler believes this may be the direct result of our large brains. A newborns brain is not completely developed. In fact, despite the quick progress made during the first year, a child remains helpless for a number of years. Children require much care, so the mating strategy is one where couples pair for life (theoretically) to make sure the children are cared for.
But humans are more social than the average primate. We live in large populations and cooperate with many people. There is a more or less constant source of temptation. Cheating on a partner is always a possibility, for either sex. While its not stated explicitly, the possible shame of being discovered would discourage most people from even attempting to flaunt societys rules.
According to the authors of the documentary, the human body is a supreme sexual advertisement. Flaunting the nude body can send out a dangerous message, or so they say. Nudity would be a threat to the basic social contract, an invitation to defection. To expose the person, the body and the sexual self in way that presents an opportunity for sexual behaviour outside the main sexual relationship can disrupt the social fabric. Therefore, the shame of nudity encourages us to stay faithful to our partners and share in the upbringing of children.
However, an exercise undertaken by the volunteers in the documentary shows another aspect. At one point, four of the eight participants are made to undress one of the other four. All this happens in the same room in full view of everyone. Then, they are given green, yellow and red paint. They are to paint areas of their vis--vis body that are safe to touch in green, parts that are doubtful in yellow, and the off-limits parts in red. Generally, one would expect to find quite a bit of yellow and red. But in this second day of casual nudity, green was abundant, even in the genital area in some cases. After this much time spent together where at least some were naked for some time, the participants had become very matter-of-fact about nudity. Not all of them, but most of them. Footage from the last day of shooting showed them enjoying a wine and cheese activity while totally naked. From all appearances, everyone had grown quite comfortable to being naked in each other's presence.
Their attitudes and inhibitions had changed. And it shows that were not born with sexual modesty. Were therefore free to shift the boundaries of whats acceptable and what isnt. So long as everyone agrees, we can make new rules and avoid the risk of offense, just like at a nudist centre, to use their expression.
In the house where the experiment was being filmed, after two days naked in each others presence, the volunteers had created their own rules. And by their rules, nudity was mostly okay.