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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think parents really should put some clothing on kids in public?

172 replies

somesetmeadow · 20/05/2018 08:47

At the beach, water fountains in parks and so on, there’s always at least one parent who lets their children charge around without a stitch on.

I just find it really inappropriate. Prepared for a flaming but I do!

OP posts:
ScrubTheDecks · 20/05/2018 19:03

“Yes, wearing pants isn't going to run their fun is it?”
Or prevent voyeuristic perverts.

The naked han body is a healthy normal thing. Adults, too. I wish we were more like Germans. I am not prepared to be ruled by perverts or prudes.

MotherforkingShirtballs · 20/05/2018 19:04

Paedophiles tend to target the children they know, children that they have access to, children that they can groom, from families that they can lull into a sense of trust. Random abuse and abductions by people previously unknown to the child/family are in the minority.

VioletCharlotte · 20/05/2018 19:04

00100001
Sorry but I disagree. I don't want anyone having naked images of my children and sharing them on the internet. Obviously I wouldn't want paeodophiles having images of them clothed either, but unfortunately it's impossible to prevent this. How would you feel if naked pictures were shared of you online?

TheBogWitchIsBack · 20/05/2018 19:09

God I'm so torn on this one. On one hand I don't want to have potential perverts looking at my child with no clothes on but then on the other hand I'm angry that my kids can't just be kids because there are sick individuals about.
It's sad that we have to adjust our behaviour and these things are a reality we have to think about.

VioletCharlotte · 20/05/2018 19:12

Some of you are a being a bit naive. Our job as parents is to safeguard our children. By allowing them to run around in public naked, we're potentially putting them in a position where there naked image could be used online by paeodophiles. And to the poster who said 'so what?', really?

I'm honestly not trying to scare monger, but it's worth looking at some of the reposts of just how many indecent images of children the police say are in circulation.

ragged · 20/05/2018 19:21

AFAIK, anybody can photoshop any child's head onto anybody's body. So it doesn't matter who the face or the naked body actually belonged to. Besides, pedos have just as many fantasies upon seeing clothed children, maybe they even prefer a bit of unknown.

Also, the fact that a child was 5 inches away from parent is enough to get a pedo excited about opportunities (according to many scare-mongerers). So I may as well let my kid have freedom like children should have, there is nothing I can do to stop the fantasy of a predator but I CAN let my kid express their healthy instincts.

MrsOprah · 20/05/2018 19:22

I dont understand why water makes it ok to be naked?
if the same child was naked in tbe shopping centre then its weird? but by the same reasoning above it should be ok because children shouldnt be sexualized, so nude in topshop shouldnt raise an eyebrow, nor should nude on the beach.

no. please. keep pants on if they're in the water fountain or sea.

ferrier · 20/05/2018 19:25

Private areas should be covered as how else are kids going to get the message that privates are private and not for anybody else except them to look at?

This. And as long as my dc have their private parts covered I really am not that bothered if anyone takes photos of them (or happens to catch them in shot) - if all dc were equally attired it would be a lot less of a minefield taking photos in public places.

Branleuse · 20/05/2018 19:30

they pretty much all start becoming self conscious as they get older anyway. Its not something you have to actively teach them

Branleuse · 20/05/2018 19:33

@mrsoprah you really cant see why being undressed on the beach is different to being undressed in a shopping centre?

Being in a bikini or swimming trunks would also be inappropriate in a shopping centre

StylishMummy · 20/05/2018 19:36

I'd always like a nappy or pair of pants on but other than that let them be

Lizzie48 · 20/05/2018 19:37

I don't allow my DDs to parade around naked on the beach or anywhere else in public. That's because I was a victim of childhood SA, so I'm only too aware that there are perverts around and there's no way of knowing who they are. I'm also teaching my DDs that their private parts are private. It would be a very mixed message to allow her to run around naked on the beach.

oddquestion100 · 20/05/2018 19:39

I have no personal problem with children being naked in public - but won't be giving anyone the opportunity to take pictures of my child. I think it's sad that this is an issue.

Mabeldidit · 20/05/2018 19:44

Pants or swimming costumes do not spoil dc fun.

When we were little we often played naked, non the wiser we didn't think anything of it. Now I look back at photos of family do's or days out on the beach and think wtf didn't our parents put a cozzie on us?

We all manage fine on the beach or the park without the need to be naked, I'm sure our dc can too.

GreenTulips · 20/05/2018 19:53

anonymous photograph

They aren't anonymous the pictures capture the date time and place and easily traceable.

Young teens are sharing naked pictures of themselves online because they see it as normal. Why would you set your kids up for that?

hibbledibble · 20/05/2018 19:55

When I was a child it was acceptable for children to be naked at paddling pools etc. It seems to be less so now, I wonder if it is because everyone has a camera now?

BoiledFrog · 20/05/2018 20:00

I'd be more concerned about a butt naked toddler dropping a log than pervs getting rocks off tbh. I used to spend many many hours at the local park which had paddling pools, there were always a few bare bums and the toilet issue occurred now and again. I used to find the babies who had obviously had an unplanned trip with a normal happy swinging low quite funny.

I can understand the paedo paranoia somewhat, it was like playing where's Wally trying to pick out your own kids sometimes, but seeing naked children is obviously something I can't really care about myself.

CoupleOfPushBacks · 20/05/2018 20:02

Up until 5 I used to take all my clothes off wherever I went.

Spoiler Alert: We were born without clothes!!

CoupleOfPushBacks · 20/05/2018 20:04

For all the ones who are talking about perverts, please remember that if a man was to find a woman "attractive" he'd do so with her having clothes on!

It's no different for "perverts". Please keep your kids indoors and away from sight

MotherforkingShirtballs · 20/05/2018 20:09

My 18mo is naked in public on a weekly basis. We go to a messy playgroup and towards the end of the session the leaders get out half a dozen baby baths filled with warm water and bubbles and we take it in turns to give our DC a dunk to get the worst of the mess off them before snack and song. Those in the tub are naked, as are those waiting to go in and those who have recently gotten out, room full of naked toddlers. She also gets naked at the weigh clinic at the local Sure Start, naked at toddler massage, and naked at the swimming pool because I take her swim nappy off for the showers (which are communal). All very normal, no one bats an eyelid at it, and no perverts have stolen her.

VioletCharlotte · 20/05/2018 20:10

Mother I think that's all ok though. It's little children naked on the beach or an outside paddling pool that concerns me. They just seem a bit too vulnerable.

Metoodear · 20/05/2018 20:11

Pay off my mortgage

GreenTulips · 20/05/2018 20:11

So, your fully clothed child's photo was used by paedophiles

Put this in context

She was devestated and scared

How much more devestating would it be for her later in life to realise that that photo was a naked photo?

Have you seen the facial recognition software at work? Wouldn't take long for someone to place a naked photo with a grown up would it?

TheMasterNotMargarita · 20/05/2018 20:12

**anonymous photograph

They aren't anonymous the pictures capture the date time and place and easily traceable.

Young teens are sharing naked pictures of themselves online because they see it as normal. Why would you set your kids up for that?**

How the fuck does teenagers sharing nudes follow on from a pervert taking photos of your naked baby and posting them online without yours or your child's knowledge?

I do understand the concerns but that is bonkers. I knew this thread would be nuts.

MotherforkingShirtballs · 20/05/2018 20:16

We live a short walk from the beach, she was frequently naked there last summer and probably will be this summer too as were my other DC when they were toddlers. Usually towards the end of the day when their clothes were a bit grubby and sandy and their swimsuit was soggy, strip off and have a play while I start packing up then a spritz under the beach shower, talc on to remove the last bits of sand, fresh nappy, and off home.