HILARY SWANK - SWANK UPSETS PSYCHOLOGIST WITH NUDITY REMARKS

<p>I am concerned by Dr. Jeff Gardere's remarks as they are so contrary to my own experience and that of many others and contrary to the findings of several surveys. <p>Unlike Dr. Gardere, I am not a qualified psychologist, but I do have considerable experience of children brought up in an environment where non-sexual nudity is normal. <p>I wonder if Dr. Gardere has spent so much time with children who have suffered trauma from childhood experiences very different from that described by Ms Swank, that he has forgotten that it can be normal to be naked. I'm reminded of the gynaecologist who has done so many Cesarean sections or forceps deliveries that he has forgotten how to deliver a baby normally! (Midwives generally deal with normal deliveries) <p>I agree with Malcolm Boura's comment - the relationship between prudery and teenage sexual problems illustrated by the national statistics is most compelling.

<p>The psychologist's criticisms just go to show that not even the professions are immune from body prejudice. I just hope that the comments are not motivated by desire for self publicisation.</p> <p>There is not a shred of objective evidence to show that nudity causes harm to anyone of any age. There is strong evidence that the attitudes of some people to nudity, and the way that their reactions affect children, do result in harm. There is very strong evidence that prudery and body-shame result in widespread and often serious harm.</p> <p>Try comparing any of the indicators for body-shame and body-image related issues amongst teenagers in the USA with their contemporaries in say Denmark, The Netherlands or indeed many other countries with fewer hang ups about the body. Attitudes have consequences and prudery and shame result in widespread and often serious harm.</p> <p>It is important to realise just how serious the consequences are. Teenagers in the USA have far less opportunity to find out in a safe way about the sexual aspects of their bodies and to discuss such matters with adults. The results are predictable. Teenagers in the USA become sexually active nearly a year younger, they are less likely to use a condom or contraception and they are more likely to be promiscuous. The consequences should come as no surprise. Several times more likely to have an abortion. About ten times more likely to become pregnant. About seventy times more likely to have gonorrhoea. Which is really more important, body prejudice or young people's lives? That is what is at stake.</p> <p>The facts are really very clear. Either be open and honest about the body or accept the consequences. Prudery is just child abuse with good intentions.</p> <p>Footnote. Right to life. Want to reduce the abortion rate by three quarters? How about looking at the attitudes which result in so many abortions and doing something about them?</p>