Completely OT...

[bikerchick68]

ah... interesting topic... I personally think America is way too hung up on sex and nudity. Why is nudity a BAD thing? And that is how society views it... it's so taboo that people are hung up on it. I think MomonBike nailed it. Our society acts like junior high school kids. Sheesh.

I think both pictures are fine. Neither is offensive to me. Two adults engaged in sex is not offensive to me. Seeing a nipple or a bare butt is not offensive to me.

Child pornography and rape... Now THOSE are offensive.

I think it's ridiculous that we're so uptight as a society that telling a coworker "You look nice today" could lead to problems. And yes, in those words... and that is directly from a labor law atty.

[RoadRaven]

I find this whole thread fascinating
I see nothing wrong with either photo
Why should women feel ashamed of their breasts or their pregnant belly?
Why should other women feel ashamed or embarrased - or even irrate about it?


I'm with bikerchick -and a few others here. Western society is a prude and has become way too hung up on natural sexuality.

Tell me why it is ok for hundreds of thousands of young kids around the world to watch rated violent movies or play rated violent video/computer games ... but as soon as a movie or photos show flesh, or a natural sensual relationship, we try to censor it?

I strongly believe this back-to-front censoring by parents and society is contributing to the society we have evolving.

Don't we want children to grow up comfortable with their bodies, and guilt-free about intimate relationships? (I don't mean let them watch porn - I mean the movies that are great movies that happen to show or hint two consenting adults in a warm relationship show a bit of skin as they undress or as they share a bed - we know the details of what is going on (or is about to) - the young ones dont, but they can learn it is ok to feel good about yourself/the way you look and that one can be intimate in a good and gentle way.

Instead, we let the kids watch violent movies (I know a 4 year old who was given Dodge Ball as a birthday present, a 9 year old who has the Alien movies on DVD and a ten year old who has seen and heard everything Eminem has produced.

Instead we let them listen to all music on the radio and TV uncesnsored. If you enjoy it - fine - but what do you think those young ones are learning when they hear "Slap My B**ch Up" on the radio or watch some of the pop videos which are really soft porn showing subservient women as sexual beings?

Instead we buy kids PC games without condieration of the messages they constantly learn - I know 7-11 year olds that have Carmageddon, GTA, San Andreas, Terminator vs Predator, CovertOp...

Now, I am no prude - my music collection is vast and full of heavy rock and sexual innuendo... one of my alltime favourite movies is Fight Club. I enjoy playing GTA. But I am an adult...

So... do I find anything wrong with either of those pix?
Nope - they show humans as natural, beautiful and creative beings - isn't that what we want our children to be?

[FreshNewbie]

It couldn't be said better!!!

[Lenusik]

RoadRaven,
Thanks for putting it together so well. I completely agree with you. I just don't care for Britney and think that she had wrong reasons for displaying herself. But there is nothing wrong with the photo itself.
I grew up in Europe in a port city where you could always see topless women on the beach. It has never been an issue and nobody thought that it was offensive.
This is a prudish society and the kids are taught incorrectly. I hope that families will figure it out on their own.

[Denise223]

Thank you to bikerchick68 & RoadRaven for saying EXACTLY everything that I was going to say!

If someone is offended at the sight of a bare breast (and, God forbid, a nipple), well then, DON'T LOOK!!

I have worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years - ten of those years were spent in OB/GYN & Pediatrics. (mid-late 80's). It was quite interesting how some people "handled" seeing women breastfeeding their babies.

On several occasions I was asked, "isn't there another room for them to "do that"? I don't want my little son/daughter being exposed to that".

I don't have any "human" kids -- only the furry feline kinds . (Truth be told, I think working in those two fields were EXCELLENT birth control).

I love babies. In fact, while working in OB/GYN, I was able to be in the delivery rooms/birthing rooms for the births of several babies . (both OB & midwife delivered babies).

I HAVE NEVER been witness to anything more BEAUTIFUL!! Absolutely miraculous.

Originally posted by LISE: I'm just a complete and total sucker for babies of all species. Every time I help a human baby into the world, I fall in love again for that little bit of time. I wish everybody could have that moment of awe and joy. When the baby looks up at mom for the first time, and puts his hand on her breast, safe, and home. I got to be part of that at 3 AM today. I'll never see it as anything but a miracle. A common, every day, around the world miracle. Let's celebrate that, and get on with bringing the peace these babies all deserve.

You chose a wonderful profession. I know that it is not easy, and you don't get a lot of sleep, but you are a part of that which is a miracle! I think that there is a very, very special bond between midwife and patient .

Have a peaceful weekend everyone!

Denise