Today's Hot Topic (3/15): Is it ok for toddlers be outside in only their birthday suits where strangers can see them?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

I saw this in CafeMom's Daily Buzz:

 

 

Mom Confessions: I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

 

It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

I let my toddlers run around the house, the front porch, and the yard without clothes on.

So cute, so innocent and free! -- anonymous

I see nothing wrong with it, as long as the girl isn't of puberty age. If the girl is developing, then I would have an issue because that's when men start becoming pervs (well, men are always pervs, but you know what I mean.) -- anonymous

I'm not worried about perverts looking at my child naked. These people are so sick and twisted that they don't need to actually see a naked body.They get as much arousal out of a fully clothed kid at the store. There's not a thing we can do about it but be vigilant and protect our kids. And I, for one, am not going to let some sicko curtail my enjoyment of life, particularly on my own property, by dictating what my child does or does not wear. -- anonymous

 

Is there any danger in letting toddlers go naked in public?

Is it a matter of safety or modesty?

Do you find it indecent -- even at such a young age?

 

 

[okmommy08]

Is there any danger in letting toddlers go naked in public? 

 I think there could be in a few instances like youre not keeping an eye on the child, if you live in an area where there is a high number of predators. I hope everyone reading this has done a search for pedophiles in your neighborhood.

Is it a matter of safety or modesty? I Think it is a matter of both.

Do you find it indecent -- even at such a young age? I dont find it indecent per say. However I wouldnt let my toddler run around naked in the front yard ever I would wonder if the neighbors would think I was to lazy to dress the kid.lol 

 

[anxiousschk]

I never liked DD to be naked in public.  I didn't really care if she ran around the house naked (still don't if it's just her father and I and she's grabbing something from another room while she's changing) but outside? NO. 

I just wish other parents would put clothing on their children.

[cmarielin]

As is pedofiles are nonexistent....why tempt fate?

Even without perverts, when did modesty become something that was looked down upon or mocked in our society? 

When I see parents letting their toddlers run out the door naked, one thought comes to my mind:  Hoosiers.

 

[trippyhippy]

We live at the beach so my son is in the water or in a pool ALOT in the summer.  We would never think to have him naked at the public beach but we have a fenced front yard where he plays in his pool .  He is naked alot in the yard.  I see no problem with it as it as you can't see him from the street, only if you walk up to our house.

[ThatTXMom]

Is there any danger in letting toddlers go naked in public?

I think the key words here are "danger" and "public".  To answer just that , I don't think there is any danger in letting them go naked in public, although I do not think it is appropriate.  Do not confuse public with private (as in letting my toddler run around the house in their undies while potty-training, for example. 

Is it a matter of safety or modesty?

In my opinion... modesty.  Modesty must be taught from a young age.  I don't want my 15 year old thinking that nudity is acceptable in public.  For this reason, I started teaching her at a young age, to respect that her body is HERS, and is not to be shared with the public.  Somethings are best kept sacred.

Do you find it indecent -- even at such a young age?

In public, yes. Refer to the above reasoning.

[forsythia_18]

It shouldbe ok.  But unfortunately with so many psychos running around nowadays I feel uncomfortable doing it.  Of course I'd allow it if it was in an enclosed fenced yard with me or my dh outside. 

Give child molesters/rapists harsher punishments and maybe we can feel more comfortable with the nudity outside.  You scam someone out of money and you're in jail for life, rape and child and you may get 5 yrs.  It makes me want to scream.  We're allowing this fear of outside nakedness to manifest because of our cushiony punishments on the people who are out to harm our children.  It's disgusting.  Again, nakedness SHOULD be ok.

[tvschiulaz]

No, no, and no.  Toddlers should keep their clothes on in public just like every decent human being should.  I always find myself thinking how low class the parents must be to allow their child to run around butt naked! (doesn't mean that they are but I do think this)

 

[honeysuckle171]

She is a total ass hole for letting her child go out in PUBLIC with no clothes on, and people wonder why little children are getting raped,killed, and abducted each and every day. YOU IDIOT!!!!!

[luckcharm]

 

Is there any danger in letting toddlers go naked in public? Besides sunburn you mean? I think their can be,  especially if you live in a really populated area.   There are a lot of pervs out there and you don't know who they are or what they are doing while you are letting your kid run around naked.  Behind closed doors,  your nice neighbor man could be doing all kinds of things to themselves while your kid is playing.  The chances of tht may be few and far between so can you let that curtail you and your child's enjoyment of life? That is something only you decide.

Is it a matter of safety or modesty? I think it is more of a modesty issue for people who have issues with other mom's who do it.  I don't have a problem with those who do.  I didn't allow my daughter to do it much,  usually just when she was in the pool or fingerpainting on the sidewalk when she was little.   But,  she had issues keeping her clothes on when she was supposed to so we just had to curtail all nakedness to try to get her out of that stage

Do you find it indecent -- even at such a young age? I don't think it is indecent,  but I don't think if you live in a place with a lot of neighbors that it is something you should let them do unless you have a private yard.  It just opes you and your family and your child up to all kinds of not so bad things happening.  And it depends on the weather,  yes its nice not to have a lot of clothes on if its a hot summer day,  but the sun can do some serious damage.

[tiggerrrt]

Is there any danger in letting toddlers go naked in public? Danger?  Sunburn, scratches, dirt in places you really don't want dirt (mainly little girls) and also depends on what you mean by public...at home around family no not so much...at the park surrounded by other people and kids more risk

Is it a matter of safety or modesty? I would think at that age it would be a safety concern more than modesty...although once again it depends on WHERE they are...why can't they run around their own yard naked as a jay bird if they want...there will soon be an age where its not allowed so enjoy!  At the park it would be safety...unless well potty trained an oops would be a safety issue for other children.

Do you find it indecent -- even at such a young age? What is indecent about the human body?  There are society's standards about when you should be clothed and babies and toddlers are one of the only ones free to run around naked...  Plus when potty training sometimes allowing them to run around naked helps them realize what their body is doing when they get 'that' feeling...

I think too often we are quick to judge...if you allow your child to run around at home naked and its not too cold, you have sunscreen, you are monitoring the situation,  then why not?