Nudity in my family was never there, I remember having a shared bath with my sisters until at one point it stopped,probably when I was around 5 or 6. We were always dressed and nudity was never mentioned, neither was sex and intimate relationships. I guess it was normal for the time or at least that what I thought. When I was at school I hated having a shower after sports as I was a late developer, the other boys bragging about their first pubic hair, I had none until much later. The school showers set me off with my body shaming and I covered my penis up wherever I could. It wasn't until I was in the navy on my first ship that I thought " to hell with this" we had communal bathrooms, if I worn clothes when it was busy I got very wet, it was easier naked. I discovered I enjoyed being naked. Wow I haven't thought about that for a very long time. I slept naked from that point and I lost my embarrassment and body shaming whilst on board this ship. A slight digression from the topic. 

What I find fascinating whole reading this topic is that there is a link between being comfortable with nudity within the family and body confidence and shaming. 

It is hardly surprising but it is interesting to see actual examples. Steve and I both grew up in families that were not relaxed about everyday nudity and it was something we saw as damaging and failing. My body was one I associated with sexual shame due to abuse and Steve with embarrassment and self loathing. 

Tackling this was something we both felt strongly about  when having our own family and we really believe that if naturism did not exist outside of the house it is something that all families should embrace in side the house - and when I say all - I mean all - every single household in the world should have a relaxed attitude towards nudity within the family. 

We are the lucky ones we have found naturism - but how many millions of people out there are still hurting in one way or another from pain they carry from that time? How many have trauma, guilt, shame and confusion about their bodies? How many self harm, have dietary issues, resort to cosmetic enhancements, have sexual problems, hide their bodies in great fear or expose their bodies in exhibitionist ways as an act of finding a solution to their hang ups. 

It is interesting that John mentions being in the forces as this came up in this weeks Live Meet. Joining the forces is like being part of a new extended family  and often at a young age in adulthood and seems to be a way of people finding a body confidence that they should have been given during their childhood and teens - and that is great. 

it's interesting to read that more people are finding family nudity in the privacy of their own home as a good think. helps sow the seeds and not the weeds when it comes to positive body attitudes.

Positive Reinforcement was a big thing when I was teaching, but it seemed to focused on the mental side, not the physical, which is odd as we are both mental and physical beings and one affects the other.

One boy I taught was / is paraplegic, when he got to about seven he had to use his wheel chair more as his body got too heavy for his undeveloped legs. He said one time that he was useless as he could not walk anymore.

I said to look at his body in two halves, his legs are damaged, that is sad, and I was sorry he had to have that at such a young age.

But look at the other half, he has a healthy strong body and arms, he was clever, articulate and a good boy. He could do anything he wanted to do with his life, and his legs would just follow along for the ride.

He's now a 21 year old paralympic basket ball player, last time I checked in, he was riding dune buggies in Africa.

bringing that back to a naturist view, if we can give those positive body messages to children with disabilities that they focus on what is good about their body, why can society not do this by default to all children, that their whole body is good and not something to be ashamed of or scared of

My parents were very relaxed about nudity at home when I was young, and so it was normal to see them naked in the bath or when they were getting dressed in the bedroom.  As we got older that stopped quite naturally, but we grew up with the sense that there was nothing wrong with nudity per se, and that nudity was not necessarily sexual.  I always loved being naked myself and was very interested in the idea of naturist clubs and beaches, so there was no great surprise and certainly no disapproval when I told them as a young adult that I had been to the local naturist beach for the first time.  I was surprised to learn that not everyone saw their parents naked as a kid - I just took it as completely normal.  I've never felt uncomfortable about everyone knowing I'm a naturist - including friends, family and colleagues - so my upbringing must be a big reason for that.  My parents did well, I think.

I was the lucky one. My mother encouraged me to be naked and I remember she was particularly underwhelmed when I obtained a bathing costume-because everyone had one and the natural desire to fit in took over. That said, I was never asked to use a towel to hide when I removed the costume and realised that it was so much easier to be without. 

I always slept naked, would change out of any clothes before bed and spend time in the family lounge before supper. There was no lock on the bathroom door and others were free to come and go as I showered. This was my norm and continued. Indeed, I remember my grandmother (my nana) falling on the kitchen floor and I stood over her to pull her to her feet. She didn’t think to comment on my sans clothes state.

In this way I regarded being clothed or naked perfectly normal. I knew of course that my friends and their parents didn’t, but such knowledge was of no concern to the way I lived.