My Art and my Son

[SheepNumber97245]

Okay, I know he's only 7 months old now and it's a little early to be worrying about this but i can't stop thinking about it.

I am an independent illustrator. I draw nude women all the time. I have an archive on my computer of over 500 reference photos of nude women to draw. I'm constantly going through them and adding to them every time i get a new project. Now, none of them are overtly sexual. It's definitely not porn (by my definition), it's just nude women.

Since I draw almost every night there's no doubt my son will be exposed to it very early on. I'm a little worried about how to keep a healthy balance. I don't want him to think of the female body as "dirty" but i don't want him to be so desensitized that it interferes with his relationships.

Any suggestions?

[BelovedK]

I wouldn't worry about it because I think he will grow up knowing that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, it is beautiful. I also think it has alot to do with your attitude about it. If you think it is something to hide from him, he will pick up on that.

[mrspineau]

I would think it would be an inappropriate thing for him to see. at least when he's so young.

[marybethorama]

I wouldn't worry about it

At least not when he's young

[NoHiddenFees]

Originally Posted by BelovedK

I wouldn't worry about it because I think he will grow up knowing that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, it is beautiful. I also think it has alot to do with your attitude about it. If you think it is something to hide from him, he will pick up on that.

I agree. If you don't project shame or a prurient attitude, he won't pick it up. I'd answer any questions he asks when the time come, the same way you would as if you had hundreds of pictures as horses for reference.

[GuildJenn]

On the sensitization issue - I really don't think that if he sees pictures of naked women now he will not be "wowed" by the body of the first young woman with whom he falls in love. I don't see a problem at all.

[ann_of_loxley]

Originally Posted by BelovedK

I wouldn't worry about it because I think he will grow up knowing that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, it is beautiful. I also think it has alot to do with your attitude about it. If you think it is something to hide from him, he will pick up on that.

Completely agree! - Especially as you are making it art, you are making it something beautiful! It is your job. If you think it is something to hid from him at all - he is going to pick up on that and draw from it what he will ...which will be a negative image of the human body... something I am sure you do not want!

[tbone_kneegrabber]

There are children of nudist all over the world. There is no reason to hide naked pictures from a child. He'll probably self censor at some point (I remember closing my eyes during kissing in movies, b/c i thought it was gross)

Don't worry about. If you are worried about or projecting nervousness he won't think anything of it.

[damona]

don't hide them! as a mom of 4 sons i have certainly not exposed them to porn, but i have some nude drawings of women and i have never hidden them or made a big deal out of them. i feel that it is better for boys to learn early on what a woman looks like, and most especially, a real woman, not the airbrushed and plastic-surgeried "perfection" of, say, playboy models. also, i have a lovely picture of a mama nursing her babe and i love that my sons know that that's what breasts are for, not for endless ogling.

sidenote: my dh was watching a movie and it turned out to have a topless shower scene. my ds#1 walked into the room at this point (of course!) and saw boobs on screen, he looked for a sec, and then turned around and asked whatever it was he came in there for without missing a beat. not a blush, not an "eww", not a stare... his whole attitude just said "oh, that's nothing special, nothing fascinating". i'm sure that will change somewhat as he enters his teens, but still, i hope that he will have respect for women, and not be so fascinated with trying to get an eyeful that it's all he can think about.

[SheepNumber97245]

Thanks for your input!

I don't plan on hiding them (I can't... they're kind of everythwere lol)
None of you think there will be an issue with desensitizing?

[lolar2]

I don't see how there would be. Before clothes were invented, I'm sure it wasn't an issue, you know?

[Embee]

Originally Posted by SheepNumber97245

Thanks for your input!

I don't plan on hiding them (I can't... they're kind of everythwere lol)
None of you think there will be an issue with desensitizing?

I really wouldn't think so. Children are so very perceptive. It's the attitude with which we present these kinds of things that can make all the difference.

That said, my 7 year old sees me naked regularly. We're pretty open around here (not overly so, but we all share one bathroom so...), it's just not a big issue for us. DS hasn't attached any inappropriate feelings to the human body, male or female, and as far as I can tell, has a healthy regard for the body, how it works (he loves biology and views a lot of things through a scientific lens) In addition, he also just through being part of a family and greater community, understands the fact that we're more modest in certain situations and that it's important to know one's boundaries, etc.

Children are amazing. Their ability to grasp the whole of things cannot be underestimated. Because he's growing up in your home, with your art, he will likely, simply see it as your 'art.' How he observes you, your attitude and your approach will speak volumes and naturally teach him to keep it in perspective.

My .02 for what it's worth.

The best,
Em