Nudity. Why is it not accepted with humans?

[livi]

We have had a few threads touching on this issue. Besides perhaps a few tribal primitive groups, most human societies have not accepted nudity (particularly by the female gender) threw history. On the surface it would seem religion has a strong opinion on the matter and certainly Islam. But, I wonder if there are not more profound, deeper causes that has to do with sexuality and reproduction. Even with Evolution and survival (reproduction) of the man and woman with the most efficient behavior in this regard.

I think most people instinctively react before nudity. Like if someone suddenly would display their cards in poker. Giving away the game, the 'secret', the price to fight for.

I am rambling here, but I am certain you ingenious Pelicans grasp what I mean and will provide me with good thoughts!

Fire away!

[vash]

i think some religious guy with a really small pecker started all the uptightness...he was dating an ugly chick.

hey the catholic church went thru and glued fig leaves on all the historic statues. something about humility.

[dd74]

In Barcelona, I saw a completely naked man walked down the street during the evening rush hour. Few people reacted in any way other than a couple of giggles. No one shouted lamentations or tried to beat the guy up or yell he was sinner and going to hell, etc.

But then, Barcelona is quite evolved in the regard of acceptance.

[Jim Richards]

Seeing you guys with clothes on is scary enough!

[ronin]

because it's not, plain and simple. whether hot or ugly, it would be totally distracting in any case. how the hell would you expect people to get anything done? and the smells...

[Rot 911]

Fat, ugly people is why we have an aversion to nudity. That and I think we would get less turned on at hot naked chicks if we saw them walking around naked all the time.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Because religious authorities decreed that we had to repress our sexuality completely and utterly in order to be civilized.

Except for their own clergy of course, who can have at it with as many little boys as they want.

[dhoward]

Same people who want to ban fireworks, alcohol, guns, fast cars, and anything else fun.
Edit: Including bear baiting.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

.... That and I think we would get less turned on at hot naked chicks if we saw them walking around naked all the time.

I think not

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Because religious authorities decreed that we had to repress our sexuality completely and utterly in order to be civilized.

Except for their own clergy of course, who can have at it with as many little boys as they want.

I don't know if I completely buy that. What about the ice age man who had the bright idea to put a deer carcass over his body to keep from freezing to death? Clothes, as they say, make the man. It might have come to pass that he was thought of as wealthy, and from that point on, others tried to emulate him by also clothing themselves.

Clothes = wealth
Nudity = poverty and shame

[Pazuzu]

Having been in a German spa, I can safely say that after 5 minutes, you become unaware that you and the 100 people walking around you are naked. The Europeans don't even think about it, but even us puritanical Americans get over it pretty quickly.

[ronin]

Originally Posted by dd74

I don't know if I completely buy that. What about the ice age man who had the bright idea to put a deer carcass over his body to keep from freezing to death? Clothes, as they say, make the man. It might have come to pass that he was thought of as wealthy, and from that point on, others tried to emulate him by also clothing themselves.

Clothes = wealth
Nudity = poverty and shame

as far as an answer that actually attempts to address the original question in an intelligent manner goes (not that I would ever stoop to childish toilet humor ), it's pretty much the best so far

[grudk]

Originally Posted by dd74

I don't know if I completely buy that. What about the ice age man who had the bright idea to put a deer carcass over his body to keep from freezing to death? Clothes, as they say, make the man. It might have come to pass that he was thought of as wealthy, and from that point on, others tried to emulate him by also clothing themselves.

Clothes = wealth
Nudity = poverty and shame

I agree that this is likely the root of it. Anxiety over nudity depends on social context. At the beach, we are practically nude, and nobody much cares. To wear the same to a dinner party would be scandalous. We strip for doctors, and this is 'accepted.' It is not the nudity, but the social context, and the interpretation thereof.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by dd74

In Barcelona, I saw a completely naked man walked down the street during the evening rush hour. Few people reacted in any way other than a couple of giggles. No one shouted lamentations or tried to beat the guy up or yell he was sinner and going to hell, etc.

I doubt anyone walking down the street in any American city would experience "shouted lamentations" or be beaten up or yelled that he was sinner and going to hell, etc.

People in cars with cell phones would not notice and pedestrians would just avoid them..

[speeder]

The vast majority of people look a lot better w/ some covering. I'd say about 99% over the age of 30. And most over the age of about 8 or 10. That and the fact that most of the world is not permanently heated to 70*F or above. And the need for pockets. And the fact that if I was a hot chick that was one of the 1% that looks better naked, I'd get real uncomfortable w/ 1000 naked guys eye-******* me every day. The list goes on and on...

And yes, I've been on nude beaches. They are either populated by people who you wish would cover-up, or gay dudes. Or both. I've never been on the French Riviera or the Mediterranean, but they might be the exception. Nudity just isn't all that it's cracked up to be, (hehehe), I'm not a prude but I believe in the concept of "modesty" as it relates to wearing clothing.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

I doubt anyone walking down the street in any American city would experience "shouted lamentations" or be beaten up or yelled that he was sinner and going to hell, etc.

People in cars with cell phones would not notice and pedestrians would just avoid them..

You're right, they wouldn't. I've seen buck-naked people sunning on a pier in NYC and other instances of public nudity and the reaction was exactly the same as in Barcelona. A little awkward, but not the end of the world.

[The Gaijin]

In the real world - clothing - or the lack of it - has gained in popularity in my lifetime..

These chubby gals (sad to say the majority) in too low, too high and too tight clothes are really not that nice to look at..

[grudk]

Recently I've been taking my daughter to swim lessons at the local college, and it's surprising to me how the college girls are quite pudgy (more so than the guys, it seems), but are letting it all hang out (literally) and strut quite proudly. Wouldn't have seen this 20 yrs ago when I was in college. Nice that they are confident, I suppose, though they would look better thin (Oh Hell, they still look pretty good to an old fart like me...)

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by dhoward

Same people who want to ban fireworks, alcohol, guns, fast cars, and anything else fun.

I think I read an anecdote in an old George Will column about the Puritans banning bear baiting, not because it was cruel to the bear, but because humans enjoyed it.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by grudk

Wouldn't have seen this 20 yrs ago when I was in college.

That's because all of the hot college girls from your area are going to ASU...trust me, LA is still making as many nubile young ladies as before, they're just not hanging around at the local college pool