Body Image: Did You Grow Up in a "Naked House"?

Did you ever see your parents walk around naked when you were growing up? When I was in high school, one of my friends' lived in a naked house--you know, mom, dad, kids who often walked around sans clothing like it was no big deal. I don't think they considered themselves nudists; I just don't think they liked clothes. It made me wonder about you--and the whole nudity/body image debate...
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My old friend's clothes-optional family always kind of freaked me out. Whenever I'd drop by, I was never quite certain of the degree of nakedness in which I might find them in. I was especially worried about walking in and finding her dad nude on the couch (um, nightmare!). Fortunately that never happened.

But I hear from others that naked houses aren't too unusual, even though it's hard for me to relate to. For the record: I grew up in a home where everyone wore clothes all the time--thank goodness.

So, I was wondering: Do naked houses scar kids for life, or help them along in accepting their body?

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Zogby Poll showing that 79% of California residents support nude sunbathing.

The majority of people who responded to a statewide-poll said they support nude sunbathing at beaches that are designated for that purpose, according to a poll commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation.

The foundation is the non-profit informational and educational adjunct to The Naturist Society, an organization that promotes clothing-optional recreation.

The same group of nudists recently lost a fight against state officials to keep San Onofre's Trail 6 a clothing-optional area. In September, the California Department of Parks and Recreation won a legal battle to ban nudity at the 1,000-foot stretch of the beach, which had held a 30-year tradition of nudity.

"I think this poll mainly shows that the Parks Department should go ahead and designate clothing-optional beaches in California because that's what the people of the state want. The people want to have safe, legal, clothing-optional beaches," said Allen Baylis, a Huntington Beach attorney who led the fight against the nudity ban at Trail 6.

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Take It All Off: China's 5 Best Nude Bathing Areas

Communal and co-ed nude bathing doesn’t only take place in Cancun hot tubs during spring break celebrations. In fact, for several Chinese minorities, nude bathing has long been a part of their traditions. It may not be purifying yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka, but here are the best five best places in China for nude bathing; you can leave those bathing suits at home.

Nude model Joanne says it’s all about the art

FOR most people, being naked in front of a room full of people is the stuff of nightmares.

But for Hornsby life model and artist Joanne Cunningham it just feels natural.

Ms Cunningham has been a life model for six years and models regularly for the Pennant Hills Drawing Group.

She said nude modelling was a way of expressing herself creatively.

``The experience is like a physical challenge and I’m able to explore my creative side with the poses I choose,’’ she said.

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