In the Babble article "Clothing Optional: I let my toddler run around naked," Ellen Friedrichs explains why she thinks it's healthy for her young daughter to be naked in public, and expresses shock that her daughter's nudity in seemingly appropriate places (in the park sprinklers, for example) has been met with such strong emotions.It's funny; despite hearing tongue-clucking and getting vaguely accusatory questions from other parents ("Don't you worry about people looking at her when she's not wearing anything?" "Did you see there are boys here, too?"), I have yet to hear the most obvious and legitimate argument for clothing a baby: accidents.
Read the whole column here. Does it bother you to see babies or little kids naked in public? Or do you think people should lighten up and stop sexualizing toddlers?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. ::shrug:: When I was little my sisters and I would go skinny dipping in the creek behind the farm and no one would say boo about it. And more than one time the neighbors' kids would steal our clothes and given there was a trail along side there were always folks who could see us. Later in life I came to the understanding that it's just a body and clothed or naked it's no big deal.
Somber at 6:32PM on Sep 12th 2008
2. The article is hilarious. Look, I am on the fence on this one. I used to do Children's Services work, and I once visited a home where the mother let her two boys (ages 2 & 3, I think) run around the house naked in the summer. She lived in a housing project, had no air conditioning, and it was stifling hot. I admit I was a bit shocked (I was quite young and naive then) but it was in the home, even though her shades were up, windows and front door wide open so anyone could see. I did not approach the subject with the mother(I was there for a different reason) and this woman was a good mom. As to this article, the lady is in public. She should at least attempt to put a diaper on her daughter. Not because of pedophiles, but because standards in public are different than the home.
David S. at 6:41PM on Sep 12th 2008
3. I guess I'm of the mind that the last people who should be running around this way are the ones who aren't potty trained.
bob at 7:01PM on Sep 12th 2008
4. Am more or less in agreement with
David S. In public (such as a park, public swimming pool, etc., there should be a different standard than at home. What's wrong with either a bathing or sunsuit? Hmmmmm? Friedrichs is wrong. When her kid is no longer a minor and can decide for herself, then maybe she'll join a "sunworshippers" colony. Until then, mom, it's not "healthy" to let your kid run around au naturel in public. How about a little common sense.
bgsteffek at 7:46PM on Sep 12th 2008
5. Are you all nuts or what? Yes, today there seems to be more pedophiles and sickos out there than ever before, not really though, just that the news and media make them more known . . . but come on folks! It’s a child enjoying some of the only things that you can actually enjoy as a child without ridicule. We all wish that we could do the same without societies bs. . . as long as mom is there ensuring sunscreen is applied and that any other safety concerns are met, WHO cares! And by the way, children that see nudity are less likely to be so damn curious later . . .
scott at 9:29PM on Sep 12th 2008
6. I think it's inappropriate in public. I find it offensive. Adults and older children have to wear swimwear at least in public, so why can't we train little ones to conform to that? Hoe expensive is a toddler's swimsuit?
Bison at 12:10PM on Oct 25th 2008
7. I have no issue with toddlers being undressed in the sprinklers and such. My only concern are the pedophiles who prey on these kids. We need to lighten up and de-sexualize nudism.
Dave "blackrebel"v at 9:16AM on Sep 15th 2008
8. I see nothing sexual about a toddler being naked.
DO YOU????
mac at 6:29PM on Sep 16th 2008
9. Is it so important to keep the daughter naked? I agree with great surprise that we have a lot of nudity among adults but it is not ok for a child? However, I belong to those who think that nakedness could be a private thing. Why is it so important to let the kids stroll around naked in a comman area? Are the kids less happy and less of children if they play in small pants or a swimsuit?
Marita at 3:28PM on Sep 17th 2008
10. Well, if the author of the article cannot afford a swimsuit, then let
us make a donation! I think I can make this donationa by myself by the way...well to the business:
This little girl is a toddler, she is not a baby
and I am also surprised that the mother makes "politics" of her
daughter nakedness. I don´t understand why parents brag so much and
force the rest of us to see their naked kids. Put your efforts
somewhere else where it is more important, e d environmental issues, and
take some consideration to other people, please. I think your daughter can live with a good selfesteem even though she wears a swimsuit. Consideration is also a good thing to learn for a toddler!
Malteser at 10:03AM on Nov 8th 2008