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Original poster

Kids running around naked in the park

151 replies

MrsGPotter · 17/08/2011 23:19

Not sure what to think about this one.

We were sat in a huge garden type place in York and a family were sat nearby with two little girls aged (at a guess) 2 and 4. Both girls were completely naked and running around the park carefree. The park was full of students, tourists, locals, kids etc etc. On more than one occasion the eldest girl wandered off away from her parents and made her way across the park, up the steps and towards the back of the park with mum (fully dressed, thankfully) half heartedly following a few minutes after she'd set off.

Everyone was looking. A few people complaining quietly. A few people blatently uncomfortable with it all and a few people smiling at them. The mother seemed to be loving the attention to be honest and almost seemed like she was parading the girl around the park ("come on Honey, let's walk over this way!") - yes right past a few group of American tourists Hmm

I can't quite make up my mind how I feel about this. On one hand of course kids should be able to run around naked but on the other hand - is it sensible, really?

OP posts:
Ifancyashandy · 18/08/2011 13:39

Said it on other thread - I honestly think anyone who is offended / upset / doesn't like etc the sight of a pre-school (or for that matter, a pre-pubescent) child without any clothes on in a park / running through fountains / on the beach is a loon.

And no, am not at all bothered by 8 yo boys in changing rooms.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 18/08/2011 13:42

Some of the replies on this thread are so odd. The children were 2 and 4, not teenagers, I honestly find it so strange that anyone would care.

And why on earth was everyone looking at them? Are naked children really so shocking?

It's actually a bit depressing that we are so prudish/scared of peadophiles that this is even a topic worth discussing. Children like being naked, they grow out of it long before puberty, so what does it matter?

culturemulcher · 18/08/2011 13:48

UAButterlyU

When will people let children just be children?

fanjobanjowanjo · 18/08/2011 13:50

It's offensive because they are NAKED. You would be offended if I ran in circles round you naked wouldn't you? What is the difference?

Saying they are children means naff all, they have their bits out. It's perfectly reasonable for them to run around NEARLY nude (knickers etc), keeping the arse and genitals covered.

It's common decency, in a PUBLIC place, where people such as myself have a right to go without being forced to see naked kids running about the place. Just because YOU don't mind it doesn't mean I'm wrong for minding.

I don't have an objection in your own home or whatever.

DilysPrice · 18/08/2011 13:56

Oh, NAKED. I thought they were just naked. That makes all the difference. Smile

Ifancyashandy · 18/08/2011 13:56

Fango I would think you were a loon if you ran around naked in front of me as you are an adult and have learnt societies norms for adults.

I see it as totally different for kids and they are innocent, non-sexual and have (rightly)yet to learn modesty. I think naked toddlers look cute with their round sticky out tummies. I like the fact they get too excited and happy they just have to take their clothes off and run at the water.

There is an enormous difference between adults and children in this scenario.

AliGrylls · 18/08/2011 14:01

If it's hot, why not.

BimboNo5 · 18/08/2011 14:04

Yes, no difference at all in an adult with mature sex organs/pubic hair running around naked than a toddler is there Hmm

fanjobanjowanjo · 18/08/2011 14:11

I don't think they are cute, and I don't want to see their bits. You can stick see their sticky out tummies etc etc etc in knickers pants etc.

How did I know you'd stick your oar in Bimbo? There's no difference, they are still NAKED.

BimboNo5 · 18/08/2011 14:15

Wow- fancy someone 'sticking their oar in' on a discussion board- wonders never cease!
Like I say I dont want to see fat men with shirts off, women with muffin tops and g strings hanging over their too smal trousers, 8 year old children breastfeeding, overtired 2 year olds having paddys in public, drunks making pavement pizzas etc etc etc. But thats life, dont like it, avert your gaze!

Corvax · 18/08/2011 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 14:26

So in that case if you agree that they are ok to be naked in public then you also think it's ok for 8 year olds to be in the women's changing rooms

I meant the exact opposite!!
If you won't let your 2 yr old go naked in the park then you shouldn't have your 8yr old DS in a ladies changing room.

I agree Fruitsalad-not even a topic worth discussing-a shame people feel the need.

fanjobanjowanjo · 18/08/2011 14:26

quick! Cover them in burkas! douchebag. I did say there's nowt wrong with them running around in their knickers or whatever.

Like I say I dont want to see fat men with shirts off, women with muffin tops and g strings hanging over their too smal trousers, 8 year old children breastfeeding, overtired 2 year olds having paddys in public, drunks making pavement pizzas etc etc etc. But thats life, dont like it, avert your gaze!

Soo...you have the right to say you don't like seeing the above, but I don't have the right to say what I think of kids naked in a park? Hmm
And...shan't, I'm going to get binoculars and hang around the the bushes!

MoominsAreScary · 18/08/2011 14:38

So everyone who thinks children should not run around naked should also not take their 8 year old sons into female changing rooms, does that mean if you don't mind them running around naked your ok to take your 8 year old in the female changing room

No? Then why bring it up

Different people have different views, not everyone wants to see naked kids running around and not everyone would be bothered about an 8 year old boy in the female changing rooms

Corvax · 18/08/2011 14:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Katiepoes · 18/08/2011 14:40

My 14 month old was naked in a park on Saturday. As were many others. It's a part of a park with a huge shallow fountain and it's well known that on sunny days it will be full of toddlers charging about in the nip. Why is this such an issue in the UK?

Of course the flip side is that there is another part of the park that has adults basking as God intended. Trust me there is a MASSIVE difference between my toddlers little body and that of an elderly overweight hairy German.

fanjobanjowanjo · 18/08/2011 14:43

childrens naked bits are not sexual. any more than their arms and legs. if you think they are then that is weird.

Well obviously, because I don't want to see kids naked I am weird. That's just obvious. To everyone.

MillyTant · 18/08/2011 14:47

Yes, fucking weird.

twinkly43 · 18/08/2011 14:52

I agree that in an ideal world children should be able to be carefree etc etc but sadly in this day in age it is simply foolish in public places, especially now we have the internet where images can be uploaded immediately.
Unfortunately in my job I have had the unpleasant task of having to interview paedophiles on rare occasion and as I know that they are around in our communities, in our parks and neighbourhood I would most definitely not have allowed any strangers to see my children naked as I would have felt very uncomfortable that they could be taking images of my children or getting some kind of horrible kick out of seeing them naked.
The first time I came into contact with one of these people he made me feel so bad that my legs physically shook and I cried after my interview with him ended because he kept asking me if I had children and if I lived locally. It is very very sad that we have to be so careful but in my opinion unless you have a really good reason to strip them off ie toilet accident, wet clothes etc I feel it is just quite unnecessary.
Don't shoot me down please...I have never posted on here before but must stress that in life you never realise the true risks of anything until you actually come into real life contact and then you get the wake up call that there are some pretty awful people out there and stranger danger is not something to be addressed lightly.

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 14:56

So everyone who thinks children should not run around naked should also not take their 8 year old sons into female changing rooms, does that mean if you don't mind them running around naked your ok to take your 8 year old in the female changing room

No? Then why bring it up

Of course not and I brought it up because I have the distinct impression (I bet I am right in most cases) that those who don't want to see someone's naked 2 yr old in the park think it is perfectly OK to take their 8yr old DS in the ladies changing room with them at the swimming pool and they couldn't care less that women/girls don't want him there-they think their anxiety over the men's changing room overrides it. Sheer hypocrisy to keep your 2 yr old DD covered up and then take your 8yr old DS into a place where people actually want privacy.

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 14:58

Strangers are no danger when your 2 yr old is in your sight the entire time-it makes no difference to their safety whatever they are wearing or not wearing.

Blu · 18/08/2011 14:59

It would be of no concern to me whatsoever.

And I can't understand why a naked 4 yo would make anyone else 'uncomfortable' and if it does, well, let them deal with it. It isn't illegal, it isn't indecent, it doesn't harm the onlooker.

I don't see why children should cover up until they themselves feel more modest or they become of an age where it would be classed as streaking or indecent exposure or something applicable to post-puberty adults.

Ds may or may not have run about naked at 4, but if other children / parents feel OK about it I don't need to know how I feel about it, it isn't my business.

Blu · 18/08/2011 15:02

"You would be offended if I ran in circles round you naked wouldn't you?"

Nope. Not in the least. Not offended. I would be a bit surprised, possibly. But why offended?
I wouldn't be offended if a man did it either. Not if he just ran around naked in a park. I would if he did anything specifically sexual.

MillyTant · 18/08/2011 15:05

So children are to learn body shame at two just on the off chance someone is looking at them? Not touching, not hurting or affecting them in any way but looking?

Do you know how tospy turvey that is?
Do you not think it more damaging for a child to be taught shame at the age of two ?

exoticfruits · 18/08/2011 15:08

You will find that DCs start to cover up naturally when they hit a certain age so the chances of a 'normal' adult running around you naked in the park is nil.