Naked children in the park - who is right?

[Oysterbabe]

We're currently enjoying the sun in the park with DD 4 months (who is enjoying it by being asleep in the shade) It is packed with families as you'd expect. In the group next to us there are two little girls, I'm going to guess about 4 and 5, who are having a lovely time running around and playing completely in the buff. I was saying to DH that I wouldn't let our DD run around naked at that age in such a public place. There could be any number of dodgy characters watching on and getting off on it. He thinks it's fine, that they're still young enough to get away with it. Also in the unlikely event there is a lurking paedo, they're completely oblivious and it's not going to hurt them at all, you can't live in fear.
Who's right? Am I being too Daily Mail paedo round every corner or is it correct to be cautious about such things?

I let mine runaround in pants earlier this week. Age 2 and 4.

Tops off is fine by me and then they spilt juice / wee on their shorts (respectively)

Photos or videos for one, Pottering.

YABU - I'm not sure what risk is posed to kids by being looked at - and wearing clothes isn't a magic paedo protector

Sparklingbrook

I agree

No clothes aren't a paedo protector, but thinking about what that old man who I saw taking pictures of naked kids on his phone was going to do with them makes me feel ill. I couldn't let me DS run around naked knowing that there is that risk.

There weren't any dodgy characters, were there?

I wouldn't, but more on the dignity and comfort of the child part. IME, once they've stopped being toddlers, they would not like running around naked.

I'm with you on this OP. Would never let my DS run around naked in public, whether it be beach or park. You don't know who's looking and possibly taking photos or video. Photos or video that could potentially be shared and passed around. Worrying.

I do agree with your DH but equally I would put a pair of pants or shorts on them if they were my kids. Don't see that it would make any difference to the kids, and as this thread shows, some people don't really like it. Nothing to do with paedophiles... If we were on a beach id be happy with them being starkers.

I'm currently pregnant with DC1 so I might feel differently in a few months, but I don't think I would let my child do that.

I care for my God daughter (aged 4) regularly and I'm obviously fine with her running about in her knickers at the beach/ public paddling pool, but not naked. I'm fairly certain her mum would feel the same.

Quite right that's why DS only goes out in a burka.

I used to work with sex offenders and I am very aware of things like this and feeling very uncomfortable about it.
YANBU

However there is not a lot you can do about it sadly

I wouldn't let my dc do this, at any age. They just need to wear something on the bottom half.

I agree op, no need to be completely naked in a park

splendide

I have think pants should stay on in public, not because of dodgy characters but because, like the previous poster, I don't want to see bums and genitals of any age while I'm having a picnic.

We have a big communal paddling pool thing here too so they may have been in that earlier if that changes anything.

I don't have a problem with nudey people at all.
So nudey children wouldn't bother me personally BUT I do think the parents should be aware that paedophiles are all among us, living in our streets, working in shops and there more than likely is a paedo enjoying the view if the kids are playing in a public place....

I agree with you OP their parents are WRONG for letting them run around naked it's not right. I don't even let my boys who are 6 and 4 have their tops off whilst in the park.

Quite right splendide

Actually I think ameliablue summed it up.

Your husband is right. You're there, he's there, nobody can do a thing to your children so there's nothing to fear.

4 and 5 year old aren't always the cleanest either

I wouldn't do it personally because I don't want to give my kids mixed messages as a pp and I can't see the point. I just think it's totally unnecessary. Kids in underwear because there is an unexpected water bit or something I can understand but Totally naked though I just can't see why it's a good idea.

All I can think about is hot slides on delicate bums, bits of dirt and goodness knows what in places I wouldn't want dirt etc. That's not even touching on if it makes others uncomfortable or worse. I also wouldn't want to encourage public nudity because I just foresee too many issues like "why can't I be naked at school/the doctors/church etc. I was allowed at the park and that had lots of people..." DS is a fan of being naked and I really would rather just have a blanket "no nudity outside the house" rule to make my life less complicated.

I hate it and really don't see the need. I've got a very close friend whose children (7,5,3) strip off at every opportunity. It's quite an awkward one. She also posts photos of her kids naked on FB, which I think is wrong on several levels.

If it's a really hot day, why not swimming cossies or vest n pants?

I have the same conversation with my Dh all the time! We live overseas and when we go to the beach there are often tourists there who let their babies and children go naked at the beach. I always worry about dodgy people looking at them. My Dh thinks it's fine.