Our only problem it seems is that we’ve spent all of this time trying to cover up that when it comes to showing some skin, or even showing off our underwear, we run for the partition.
Why?
Why does flesh scare us? Is it because it reminds us of sex? Does nudity always equal sex? Why do we keep sexuality and nudity in a box reserved for the bottom drawer. You know that bottom drawer full of porn, sex toys, and God forbid, stylish, skimpy underwear. Our unmentionables. The stuff we keep hidden. The stuff we don’t talk about. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
That seems to be our consensus about sexuality and nudity in general. When we see someone in underwear or in the buff, we either blush, giggle or gasp. Unless, of course, when it’s in context: That hot blind date, Valentine’s Day, the gym locker room, the underwear section of a department store, et cetera.
Our Western counterparts of the world don’t have that problem. In England, you can be reading the morning paper, turn to page three, an there’s a featured topless women staring back at you. In Amsterdam, sex-education courses are taught at a very young age. Mind you, they also have legalized prostitution. In Madrid, Spanish accessories designer, Loewe, featured nude men in her runway show carrying only her handbags. Penises and balls flapping around for all to see. In Italy, there are a plethora of nudist colonies. The list goes on and on.
And then, there’s US.
Here in America, we censor everything. Swear words, suggestive content and nudity. Except of course, violence. We love violence.
Basically, from wardrobe malfunctions to breastfeeding in public; we judge it, we shame it, we ban it. Bottom line.
We at BodyAware have had our own run-ins with the censor police. Just ask Facebook, but I’ll save that rant for another day.
In the meantime, and speaking of flapping genitalia, take a look at the following video and tell us if it offends you or not. Do you agree that we Americans are just a bunch of prudes?
15 comments
Great topic. I’ve been going nude at nude campgrounds all of my adult life. I’m in my 70s now and, with exercise and diet, still get a favorable look or glance. I’ve stayed in condition most of my life mostly because I enjoying looking good, even when I"m the only one looking. Personally I don’t think this has anything to do with vanity but pride in self. I’m amazed at how many American males past 30 don’t seem to give a crap about their health or how they look. I love your site and also want to know what happened to the sheer boxer shorts shown on the front.
I’m 56, 5’10" tall and 170 lbs and not much body fat. I strive to stay in good shape and I enjoy wearing nothing or practically nothing whenever and wherever I can. If a body is in reasonably good shape I enjoy looking, no matter what sex. I have found that most times somebody has said anything negative about my clothing or lack there of, it was either a very over weight person or a guy who caught his partner looking at me and got mad. If you are ashamed of your body then do something about it so you’re not, if you don’t want to see me in what I’m wearing or not wearing, don’t look. Americans in general are stupid when it comes to nudity and I would really like to see that change. That being said, I think parading naked men on the stage to sell handbags is stupid, but sexy sells they say so what do I know.
I applaud those naked guys on the runway…and forget the shopping bags! They should leave them out and just have the naked guys prancing around showing of their sex organs! America is too prude…and hypocritical toward male nudity and no better proof is there than at a rec center or other public pool where you can encounter women showing their bodies off in next to nothing bikinis and yet men are scorned or told to leave the pool area if they wear anything similar! I enjoy wearing tasteful, yet skimpy thongs and g-strings in swimming and for lounging and tanning! I even will occasionally go nude if the opportunity presents itself, but not if there’s some prude around to spoil my fun! Kudos to those naked runway guys…I wish I were one of them!
I don’t find the video offensive I think it’s very tasteful. I’ve been dressing in panties for year and I feel guys should be able to look sexy to without being judged. As I am straight and married and my wife enjoys buying me panties so I can wear them for her. I feel comfortable with it that’s all I wear all the time as my undies. Thanks
I have for years modeled nude for art and photography and in that environment male nudity is treated with respect and dignity…yes there can be a sensual component to it but usually not a sexual one, as that is what separates the artistic display of the human form from the pornographic element.
But, in mainstream American society, male nudity is treated taboo and distasteful, and men should cover up their bodies so as to not offend. A man who is bold enough to wear a skimpy swimsuit at the beach or pool is often ridiculed or shamed, or thought of as gay just because he chooses to display slightly more skin. In nude modeling however, having every inch of skin on display is a tribute to the beauty and Strength of the masculine form, and to some people the tasteful and artistic expression of the nude human form (both male and female) is arguably the most interesting and beautiful thing in the world. In that context, it’s no wonder that few noticed Loewe’s handbags!