On a luxury trip to Miami, me and my friend treated ourselves to an Ocean Suite at the 5* Fontainebleau Hotel. Our balcony overlooked Miami beach, our mini bar sat opposite a seating area and next to our bed, a windowless arc displaying our bathroom. Upon noticing the lack of privacy, I debated whether to shower in a bikini. My friend on the other hand, felt no shame in full nudity. Does being naked influence body image?
Not growing up in a naked house
I have no qualms being naked with an intimate partner. Post-sex, what do I have left to physically hide? Around friends however, I have a P.E changing room mentality. I still turn around and cover myself as though a boy could appear and shout “boobs!” My friends in highschool didn’t discuss their bodies. We only annouced our first PMS – “OMG, I’m like a woman!”, and debated how to lose our miniscule body fat.
I don’t have too many body hang ups, but I feel uncomfortable with friends and family seeing me stark naked. Despite going in and out of hospital for ten years, letting nurses wash me daily.
My upbringing didn’t happen in a naked house; I don’t remember going home to find my parents relaxing clothes free. It’s just my sister who casually wanders au natural. She finds my awkwardness on the subject funny – doesn’t understand why I insist on closing a door to get dressed.
Nakedness viewed as a sin
Ruth Barcon, Associate professor of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney, wrote a fascinating essay on “the naked truth on nudity”. She mentions how Adam and Eve in Christianity helped shape the concept of nudity as both innocent and sinful. Barcon explores how nudity impacts society and the changing ideas on how we value nudity.
Female celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski post their near naked bodies on Instagram, in turn receiving criticism. I’ve noticed women receive harsher comments compared to men who often post images of themselves flexing without shirts. On my piece I Am More Than Female Stereotypes, I argue women are often labelled and judged based on their clothing choices. For instance, a woman with many bikini photos on Instagram may be called attention seeking and “desperate”.
When a man cheats or dates a younger woman, the younger woman can get described as a sexually alluring gold digger. She somehow uses her sexual power to control the man. But when it comes to sex and expressing sexuality, a woman is apparently wrong to crave sex as equally. Women sometimes get blamed for their own sexual assault, not wearing enough clothes. Additionally, many advice columns for women recommend dressing suitably – nothing too short, for a man to take them seriously. This all factors towards how women perceive their naked bodies.
Being naked influence body confidence – social media
Plastic surgery has risen in the past few years – specifically labiaplasty, to construct “designer vaginas” according to The Independent. More women are confessing to not feeling confident in their skin, comparing themselves to bodies on social media. Studies suggest nudism makes us happier and maybe there’s truth to that.
I cannot imagine myself a full-blown nudist, despite noticing positive body thoughts when I’m embracing my naked body. I believe women are bombarded with pictures of unclad models on every form of technology. They don’t see themselves enough naked, leading to uncertainty about their bodies and a fixation on others. We know many online photos go through filter and editing and yet we admire regardless.
Considering the question – does being naked influence body image, aspects to debate include the porn industry and “sexting”. Should you feel liberated for not being afraid to showcase the most natural part of you, or should you feel shameful and dirty for accepting an idea of low self-respect? Does it depend on how you put forth your body? Whether you opt for a moody boudoir or an explicit close-up of your butt as you film yourself performing squats? Does it even matter if you’re naked for yourself or for audiences of men?
Sexual photographs
I’ve posed for photographers in lingerie and sent ex boyfriends sexual selfies of myself. This boosted my self-esteem, minus the images are now find embarrassing. Being naked can influence body image. But we have to remove the stigma, allow ourselves to get comfortable with our shapes and initiate honest conversations with friends.
How comfortable are you with nudity? The Blurred Lines of Feminism and Nudity is a great post to read as a follow up.
Interesting post. Since I was the only child in the house, My parents often left me naked until I was about three. It feel so natural for me. I am not a nudist and I don’t think I ever could be, but I do enjoy wearing less. Coming home from work, I didn’t feel relief until the clothes were off.
I think people love pj’s because they’re usually quite light in material. It’s a nice feeling coming home to a shower and throwing my clothes on the floor (they get picked up after). Also, most clothes are bad for skin. You need natural material to let skin breathe properly, but most stores don’t provide this.
I figured you eventually picked them up. lol
These are true words Laura! I once read an article in a fitness magazine that showed exercise to help you improve how you feel about being naked. When I thought about my body goals before I never thought about my naked body, more a size of clothes etc. It made me realize that it’s not about that. Sometimes at home I like to lay on my bed for a bit and read something while I’m naked and just laying there helps me to feel good in my own skin. We often see nudity as a negative and sexist thing but it’s just nature. We could see it as something completely normal if we all started to accept our body the way it is. Great post Laura xx
Most people do think about size first. I think that’s always talked about more and the idea of people fitting into certain jeans.
Nudity is so natural and it’s crazy how negative it’s potrayed. I wouldn’t go to the beach naked, but I’m cool with laying on my bed and reading. 🙂 Thank you for your comment xx