My name is “S” and I’m 16. The thing is I like being naked in front of people. It’s not a sexual thing, I just like being naked. I mostly do it at parties with my friends from school. Most of them are OK with it. I have had some pushback though. Being called a pervert, that sort of thing. But most are OK with it. Some even think it’s cool! They call me “The Nude Dude”! What’s funny is I smoke cigarettes and I get more complaints about my cigarette smoke than my nudity! I guess I like wearing my birthday suit in front of people because it makes me feel free and liberated.
THINGS TO DO FIRST:
- Thank you for reaching out to the TeenCentral community and sharing your story. It takes courage to be vulnerable, especially with a perspective or behavior of which not everyone may be accepting.
- It’s great that you’ve found something that helps you feel free and liberated, while also acknowledging that not everyone may be accepting of this behavior. It’s not uncommon to engage in something that you may find enjoyable while others don’t agree. There are many STORIES on the TeenCentral site that reflect this. We encourage you to spend some time reading the perspectives of others.
- We are curious if you have ever talked with a trusted adult about your activities? It may not be a parent – but someone else like an older cousin, aunt/uncle – someone with whom you feel comfortable and trusting. It can be very worthwhile to compare opinions of people further in life than you, with the opinions of your peers. Do they have the same level of acceptance? What is their feedback for you?
CRTICIAL POINTS
Despite your intentions, others may view it as triggering based on their own history.
- In other cases, someone observing this could even view it as sexual harassment.
- In addition to making others uncomfortable, there could even be possible legal consequences as a result.
- What if someone walks in who has not consented to seeing you naked?
- If an adult walks in, you are putting them in a position to be around a naked minor.
- When you become 18 or if someone at the gathering is significantly younger than you – you put yourself in the position of possibly traumatizing/sexually abusing a child.
- What would happen if someone took a photo or video of you and shared that information with others, or even online? This could have many negative impacts on you that we encourage you to be mindful of.
All of these points are seriously important for you to consider.
CONSIDER THIS
- Thank you for clarifying that the purpose of your behavior is not sexual in nature, and it’s good that you can see that others may have an issue with it. We hope you continue to be open to the potential concerns surrounding this behavior.
- It’s good to be introspective at times, to ask yourself what has led you to this point. You said, “It makes me feel free and liberated.” I’m wondering, what weren’t you free or liberated from when wearing clothing before? What feelings do you have when you wear clothing? It may be a good idea to consider these questions in a journal or a conversation with an adult you trust.
- If you enjoy feeling free / liberated, are there other less risky behaviors that can help you achieve these same feelings? If being nude is the only thing that achieves this, is there a way you could do that within the privacy of your own home or in a safe, non-public setting?
We want you and everyone reading to understand that the comments written here are meant entirely in your best interest. We only want what’s best for you and to protect YOU from harm and any kind of unintentional trouble you could find yourself in. Youth is a time of experimentation and exploration. It is not unusual for a young person to feel drawn to these kinds of things. We are glad you told us. Please think hard about what we have written here and consider our suggestions. wishing you the best and hoping for you freedom and liberation in the safest way possible!
