Three Fun Things

I’m an Australian living in Denmark and was so curious after seeing this that I watched an episode. From the description, I could not fathom how this could work but the result is just brilliant. It is hard to convey the combination of body positivity, sensitivity and a complete lack of sensationalism. As others have said, nudity is much less of a big deal here than my experience in Australia/US and not sexualised. For example, at a swimming pool it is completely usual for people to get undressed and walk naked to/from a shower some distance away without wrapping their body in a towel. Children going to swimming lessons are obviously part of this and in that context used to seeing all kinds of bodies (at least in the single-sex change room of the adult they are with). The cultural difference was also so clear to me in the language, it all sounded completely natural in Danish and I cannot imagine a show in English with both children and adults speaking so comfortably and naturally about anything and everything to do with their bodies.

I haven’t watched the show, but based on the little I know about it it seems like slippery-slope territory. We talk to our children about consent and that their private parts are for them, their doctor, and mom and dad to see only. We talk about how those rules change as they get older. But we impress upon them that no one is allowed to see their private parts –anything covered by their swimsuit– without express permission. A person displaying their body on a tv show can’t give consent to every person watching the show because they don’t know who is watching the show. As more children get smartphones and many send each other inappropriate photos (it’s an epidemic), I have to think that this show waters down the message that when you put your body on some type of digital media, you can’t control who sees it and consent is lost once the image/video is spread past the intended recipient, and it so often is.

I have seen many beautifully illustrated children’s books that depict all different types of bodies in positive ways. I wonder if that would be a better choice for our children. Always enjoy reading the differing opinions expressed in respectful ways here, so I had to throw mine into the ring!

I love that poster! And the reminder to be gentle with ourselves is so important. It reminds me of something I often tell my patients, who are facing changing abilities and their own mortality due to serious illness- just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Don’t misunderstand your ongoing struggle as a symptom of failure. Yes, taking care of yourself and eating right and meditating can all help give strength, but at the end of the day there’s no magic formula that turns loss and struggle into something easy.

I’m probably cynical, but I wouldn’t bother watching the Danish naked bodies show unless they had actually had any measured evidence to show it made any difference to kids perception of body image.
We live at the beach so see different bodies every day of the week ‘in the flesh’ but social media is a totally different beast.

I love the Danish TV show! Growing up my mother was a bit of a nudist – she was completely comfortable walking around our upstairs when she was getting ready. Even until my brother was in his teens. I remember questioning her at some point about whether it was appropriate. She told me that a boy needs to understand what a woman actually looks like, especially one who’s had two C-sections.

Years later, when I became a teacher I told this story to one of our counselors. She told me that she often councils boys about sex and has to teach them about pubic hair because they’ve only ever seen pornography. They’re completely grossed out at the thought of a girl having hair down there. So, as she always told me, my mum was right.

Distance-learning Kindergarten teacher, here. day 5.
two groups of 26 students…
OMG.
insert laughing-crying emoji to match my face.

I’m a mom of two elementary aged boys and I would definitely let them watch The Naked Show if it aired where we live. I like the idea of separating nudity from sex and/or shame and pairing it with science and understanding instead.

I’m a college professor and our schedule changed 4 weeks into the semester. I am still working through how all kinds of things work in the new format, even though I’ve been doing school for a month, and I am RUNNING the darn thing.

So, if this is your first day of remote learning, and you’re not even in charge of the remote technology, this is my official permission slip from me to you, that you can get it wrong as many times as you need to.

Thank you for that tiger today!!!
Seeing my 6yo have his first day of school today and enduring all his fears and concerns and supporting him best – seems like it still is not really enough…
But I will be gentle with myself ?
Thank you!

I have been searching for new kids books! Thanks for the recommendation.

Lisa congdon is amazing! I’d love to see a home tour and a week of outfits.