Kids running around naked in the park

[MrsGPotter]

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

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?

[MillyTant]

Nakedness doesn't bother me at all, TBH. Not in adults or children. It's just a body, we all have one, all the same give or take.

[fanjobanjowanjo]

Yes, fucking weird.

See? So weird for not wanting to see naked children.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested I am suffering from mental illness or depression because I don't have the same opinion as the rest of you.

[MillyTant]

Do I think it's weird to object to seeing tiny little bodies naked?
Yes, it is weird, can you not see that?

[MoominsAreScary]

twinkly I agree with what you have said, I have also worked with pedophiles ( though patients were on forensic section under the mental health act) they have some very strange ideas on how very young children have sexual feelings and are sexual beings who "come on" to them, so I can imagen what ideas they would get from a naked 4 year old running round a park

Regardless of what people think they do exist and they do hang around places where they can meet children, with camera phones and the Internet children's photos can end up in anyone's hands.

[MissusCT]

Were they not cold?

[MillyTant]

But they can't hurt them, Moomin, they can't touch them.
Paedophiles will ogle any children, regardless of dress.

[HackneyHackette]

Wow. I am always interested to learn from MN of things that I may be being judged on that had never ever crossed my mind (my favourites were "opening presents in front of the giver" and "hanging knickers on the washing line".)

My 3 and 1 year old sons were running around nude and nude-with-a-nappy in the park, which contains a water park, only yesterday and it never crossed my mind anyone would think I was exhibitionist (lazy,perhaps) or would be offended. It was sunny. There was water.Pants had been worn, were now wet, didn't have towel, wanted to dry kids off. You live and learn.

[MoominsAreScary]

No they can't touch them but why would you want to give them the opportunity of seeing your child naked, or taking naked pictures of them?

[fanjobanjowanjo]

Do I think it's weird to object to seeing tiny little bodies naked?
Yes, it is weird, can you not see that?

It's not weird at all. I think you are weird because you want everyone to be naked. I don't think it's weird to think children should at least wear a pair of knickers in public places. I think it's bizarre to let children run around in public places nude.

Isn't it fun how we're all different? I am also starting to get the impression that you think my opinion means I am some sort of paedo because I'm not jumping for joy at naked kids everywhere. THATS WEIRD.

[MillyTant]

But Hackney, the peeeeedo's, the peeeeedo's !!!!!!!!

[MillyTant]

Fanjo, I don't want to see naked peopel but I don't feel that my eyeballs have been seared out if I catch a glimpse.

[fanjobanjowanjo]

Hackney - take a towel and swim nappies next time, eh?

[LolaRennt]

The vast majority of the world are not pedophiles, but I can't imagine a better place for pedophile to hang out than the park or a place where children are known to frequent. It is also very easy with smart phones and Ipads etc to take sneaky photos without people noticing anymore.

It's why I think is probably a good idea for people to keep thier kids clothed but I wouldn't judge them for not doing it either or really notice.

[Sitting clothed on the fence emoticon]

[33goingon64]

Sorry not read whole thread but suggest what bothered you more was the attitude of the mother, rather than the pure fact of the nudity. If the kids had been naked but just playing quietly around the mother and not being 'paraded around', you might have thought differently? I agree I would have done a double take but would also have been quietly admiring of the nerve. On a beach or by a lake or paddling pool I would not have batted an eyelid. Hygiene is a very spurious objection, surely if you are going to wet yourself wearing a swim suit it has the same outcome as if you were naked?!

[MillyTant]

So Lola, how are these children being hurt or damaged by having a photo taken? Yes, it's completely distasteful but it can't hurt them.

[fanjobanjowanjo]

Fanjo, I don't want to see naked peopel but I don't feel that my eyeballs have been seared out if I catch a glimpse.

There's a wee bit of a difference between a glimpse as essential changes are made and just running about nude in inappropriate places. I for example, don't give a shit about mixed changing rooms and kids in changing rooms, as you expect nakedness in there.

Could explain my thick glasses though.

[LolaRennt]

Do I need to have a better reason than I don't want naked pictures of my kids on the internet being used for god knows what?

No I don't.

I said I wouldn't judge someone else for it, but I think kids should be clothed so I clothe them. I am not going to parade them around naked (risk skin cancer ) because it won't hurt them if perverts take thier picture. really. Why do I need to? I live in florida, I would be fucking stupid to put a kid outside naked anyway unless I covered them head to toe in chemicals

[MoominsAreScary]

milly take the piss as much as you like but for people who's children have been abused and those who have worked with offenders and been unlucky enough to have an insight into how there minds work. It is worth considering

[exoticfruits]

No they can't touch them but why would you want to give them the opportunity of seeing your child naked, or taking naked pictures of them?

If there are inadequate people out there that is their problem. I'm not going to alter my behaviour because of them. Is there any difference of them taking a picture of a naked DC or one in a bathing costume? The camera lies these days-they can do what they like with a fully clothed picture of your DC-superimpose face on another body etc. It really isn't my problem.

[pinkthechaffinch]

tbh I'd be more worried about them stepping on dog poo, needles, broken glass than being stared at by strangers.

I make mine wear jelly type shoes on the beach -it is a pebbly type beach.

[pinkthechaffinch]

also clothes are protective

dd is 2 and always falling over and the skin on her knees suffers far less when she is wearing a good pair of trousers.

[Blu]

FanjoWanjo - for someone with a slang name for a vagina in your MN name you seem v upset about seeing a child who happens to have no clothes on

[fanjobanjowanjo]

FanjoWanjo - for someone with a slang name for a vagina in your MN name you seem v upset about seeing a child who happens to have no clothes on

Oh my God, because I think kids should wear clothes in public I can NEVER reference genitals, nakedness, or anything at all to do with the human body and nudity. Thank you so much for contributing to the discussion with personal attacks, Blu, hope you feel better now.

[whoneedssleepanyway]

I have no issue with children's naked bodies, and my DDs have no inhibitions at home and run around naked but they still need to learn what is and isn't acceptable.

For example DD1 will sit on the tube/ bus with her skirt rucked up around her waist, knickers on display to all and sundry, I always bring her up on it, tell her to pull her skirt down, not because I am worried about some paedo looking at her pants but because, you don't sit on the bus showing your knickers to all and sundry....

In the same way as you don't run around stark naked in public places. Pants on/ nappy on fine...but there is no need to be in the buff.

I know lots of people seem to think this is prudish/ have hang ups about nudity etc etc, I genuinely don't but I just don't see why you would enourage your children to run around in the nude in a busy public area.

If other people are fine with their children doing it and think it is acceptable that is fine for them, I won't say anything and probably wouldn't even bother with a catsbum mouth but my kids my rules....

[Blu]

Personal attack?

It was just a joke, really.

But, you know, some people find words meaning vagina offensive and ther have been numerous threads about MN names which include 'language' etc. Would you change your name because someone found it offensive? Or think 'I'm not menaing to be offensive so they need to deal with it'?

I think your name is fine. I think if someone finds your name offensive they are being a bit OTT and should calm down. I think the same of people who find small children with no clothes on 'offensive'.