Child nudity in public

[GlowWurm]

Apologies if this has been discussed at length, I didn’t want to do a search for ‘child nudity’.

I was at the local pool and a woman was showering off her little boy, who was stood there facing forward completely naked. This was in a very public area of the changing rooms, it’s just a line of shower heads on a wall in front of the entrance to the pools (this is a mixed sex changing room). Little boy was approximately 2? I’m not good with children’s ages, the age when they are tottering about but not overly stable. I noticed some women walked in and they saw and looked at each other with a bit of a worried look, so I don’t think it’s just me?

There are also private showering cubicles available.

Phones are not banned although presumably there are rules around not taking photos, but of course anyone could if they wanted. I do realise not all
men are predators so I’m not trying to tar everyone like that.

My question is…is this acceptable behaviour and I’m just being overly concerned?

Oh for goodness sake, The OP clearly means she was concerned that a paedophile may see the child or take a photo. She doesn't mean she was offended by a naked toddler.

I'm going against the grain here.

I have young children. We holiday often. We visit local swimming pools often. I'd absolutely never have them exposed.

Lots of kids are often naked on the beach abroad, or getting changed by the pool in plain sight. Of course it's up to the parents but I'd never have my children naked in front of strangers. It's my job to protect them.

I wouldn't let my child, no. I think some posters are perhaps missing the point. The OP isn't pearl clutching because of nudity per se or because she saw a naked 2 year old. She's concerned about the child's dignity and lack of autonomy, together with the possibility of a paedophile getting a free eye full. I remember very clearly my genitals being groped by a middle aged man in our local swimming baths when I was 8 years old.

You really do need to educate yourself on child protection.

Did she have other children? I shower my baby in the public area as I want to get swim nappy off so I can dry him and put him in buggy then shower older toddler in the private area. I don't want to risk carrying him and slipping. And older toddler gets really cold after a swim. It's a real juggle. I do however try to keep him covered up.

Naked little children in pool changing rooms is fairly standard. Why are you concerned?

I feel it’s depressing that anyone even thinks this is a problem. I understand why but I think the joy of being a nudie 2 year old is something which far outweighs the remote chance a dude is going to be salivating over them

Shesntalking about the public area not the changing rooms

I wouldn’t be worried about it no

You shower in your swim stuff and get changed in the cubicle

I agree, except in this case a 2yr old would likely still be in a swim nappy. I never showered them in a swim nappy. Once they are old enough to be in swimming costume, yes that is what I do too.

I know people will scoff but I do think there's something to be said for giving a child dignity, like we readily take for ourselves, and not just saying that because they are X age it's fine for them to be naked in public whether it's necessary or not.

Couldn't agree more.

But why even take that risk, however tiny a risk it's perceived to be? It's just not worth it.

This. Absolutely. I wouldn't stand in the buff for all and sundry so I wouldn't make a child.

I'm pretty sure that staff/lifeguard would notice someone photographing or videoing children around the pool/changing area. They're vigilant about that sort of thing, aren't they?

OP have you ever gone out of the house wearing a low cut top of short skirt? If so you were likely at greater risk than that toddler having a shower.

She has the choice. A child doesn't. They need us to protect them and make the right choices for them.

It’s incredibly sad but I’d probably not do it either.

I have never done it for my children and still won't now that my youngest is 5. But I don't judge other parents for doing it. Tbf it's a 2 year old.

I wouldn't do it myself. Never know who's watching or taking pictures. Lots of perverts out there. No reason that they should be naked, just stick underpants or shorts on them.

If people really want to do harm they can take pictures of a child with swimming clothes on and have some AI make it into whatever naked pictures they want.
Better stay at home then with the doors locked.

Came to say this, whenever I go abroad I notice how many more French, German and Spanish kids are naked and no one cares! It’s completely natural being naked.

No need to stay at home just be sensible and don't allow your kids to be naked In public places

Yes cuttysarcasm. There are lots of iirresponsible parents in Europe too. And also lots of child predators. Who knew eh ?