For Every Naked Kid, There's An Adult With a But

When does a child’s naked bottom go from cute to inappropriate? Depends who’s judging, the New York Times reports. In some families, nudity is no big deal. “It’s a stage he’s going through, and he’ll grow out of it," says the dad of a 4-year-old who likes to watch TV sans pants. Often, grandparents have a harder time accepting clothes-free kids.

If people have a strong reaction, it sometimes “tells us about their own hang-ups, their own inner conflicts,” says one psychologist; cultural values are another factor. In terms of how kids feel, parents’ attitudes make the biggest difference. And most kids start to feel modesty by age 3 or 4 either way. (More children stories.)