Dissassociating Nudity with Sexuality

[Jobea]

Hi, new user here, and I want to make it clear that this is not a fake post; I'm not trying to act creeper or anything. I'm also not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it seemed the most relevant, so here it goes:

I am male and currently eighteen years old, and I've decided that I've developed a problem when it comes to associating nudity with sexuality. I realize that it's natural for a male to become aroused when exposed to sexual images, but recently I've come to question why I should find a naked body as a sexual image if there is nothing explicitly sexually connotative about the image. Starting a few weeks ago, I set out to lessen this association, starting with becoming more comfortable with my own body. I've been sleeping nude at night, spending my time nude when no one is around, and I've been practicing controlling my arousal to nude images.

Now, I don't consider myself to be a nudist, but I am spending a lot of time naked. I've pretty much been slowly accustoming myself to view time spent nude as no different than time spent clothed. So far, I've been pretty successful in my endeavors, so I chose to take this to the next step...

Recently, in the mornings I've chosen to not wear clothes between my room and the bathroom. I think this is the most appropriate setting to being clothing free, and I don't particularly plan on expanding further.My parents were pretty nonchalant when I was younger about nudity, with both my mom and dad to this day not bothering to close doors when changing (they don't wander around nude), so I don't think they will mind. In fact, the other morning my mom walked by me as I was on my way to the bathroom and, after doing a double take, did nothing about it other than to make a humorous comment about "taking after my dad". So I should be good in that department. The issue I have is with my sister. My sister is 20 years old, and moved back in this year with my parents because she's attending a nearby college (I'm attending the local community college, but that's pretty irrelevant to the issue). The issue is, my sister and I have not seen each other naked since we were... probably 4 and 6 years old, respectively. For the past 10 years we've been changing behind closed doors, and neither one of us has (to my knowledge at least) seen the other without clothing in this period.

So, I have no idea whether or not she would be alright with me being naked between my bedroom and the bathroom. I personally don't have a problem with her seeing me naked, thanks in part to my disassociation practicing; I don't find her seeing me naked any different than seeing me clothed. However, I do not want to disrespect her in any way, and I definitely don't want her to think that I'm doing this as a means to embarrass her or to pressure her sexually; there is no and never has been any sexual tension between my sister and I, and I don't intend to start any now. Currently, my plan is to just continue my daily trips, and if (rather, when) she sees me, judge her reaction. She may in all likely-hood not mind (in fact, about 2 years ago she chided me for being TOO modest and told me that her friend's brother had been naked around his sister without any problem, but I'm not sure if she was joking or just giving me a hard time. She also (occasionally, usually when she's rushed and not as a habit) goes into the bathroom while I'm in the shower, but our shower is the kind where there is little view of the inside from the outside).

My question to you is as follows: is what I am doing acceptable or inappropriate, and if it is acceptable should I find a different means of letting my sister know? I've considered just telling her my intentions, but to be honest I haven't even told my parents the reasoning behind my recent "non-caring" behavior and I think the conversation would be even more nerve-wracking with my sister than it would be with them (read: I don't have the balls to tell her up front). I would appreciate honest advice, and I don't really want to read posts about how nudity is a sin or that I can't control myself sexually around my sister; this is not about sexual tension nor me wanting to expose myself, it's about respecting my sister.

I apologize for the long read, but I will not post a synopsis.

EDIT: Thought it would also be worth mentioning that I would never dream of walking around with an erection. With my recent activities this shouldn't even be much of an issue (I'm getting pretty good at controlling when I get aroused), but if I did happen to get one I would not expose it.

[Kyeto-X]

Within the privacy of your own place, sure, go for it. I walk around naked...in the room that I rent.

While you are at your parents house though, you are under their rule, and their respect. And YES there is an association with nudity and sex, because there IS one. Normally you are not suppose to see anyone else naked about your partner when you are an adult. (We even avert eyes in the changing eyes and bathrooms to keep this code of conduct.) It's about intimacy. You are NAKED, both physically and emotionally, to your partner of choice.

However, there is a degree of oversexualzation that occurs around simple nude images for non-erotic images (i.e. Anatomy text books and the like. I have even seen naked breast in my sociology text book before) After a while though, you rgow use to seeing such images, because we KNOW that we aren't suppose to be jerking off to THESE images. Instead, we are suppose to marvel at the cultural difference between native tribes in Africa and ourselves, or recognize the difference between a benign and a malignant lump in breast tissue. Nudity it self is NOT a sin. Naked you were born and naked you will make new lives .

All in all, I would say to just keep your nudity within your bedroom and have a bathrobe at hand if you need to take quick jaunts to the bathroom. There are something we are not meant to see. Naked little brothers is one of them :P

[Jobea]

Originally Posted by Kyeto-X

Within the privacy of your own place, sure, go for it. I walk around naked...in the room that I rent.

While you are at your parents house though, you are under their rule, and their respect. And YES there is an association with nudity and sex, because there IS one. Normally you are not suppose to see anyone else naked about your partner when you are an adult. (We even avert eyes in the changing eyes and bathrooms to keep this code of conduct.) It's about intimacy. You are NAKED, both physically and emotionally, to your partner of choice.

However, there is a degree of oversexualzation that occurs around simple nude images for non-erotic images (i.e. Anatomy text books and the like. I have even seen naked breast in my sociology text book before) After a while though, you rgow use to seeing such images, because we KNOW that we aren't suppose to be jerking off to THESE images. Instead, we are suppose to marvel at the cultural difference between native tribes in Africa and ourselves, or recognize the difference between a benign and a malignant lump in breast tissue. Nudity it self is NOT a sin. Naked you were born and naked you will make new lives .

All in all, I would say to just keep your nudity within your bedroom and have a bathrobe at hand if you need to take quick jaunts to the bathroom. There are something we are not meant to see. Naked little brothers is one of them :P

I appreciate the advice.

[dancinfool]

As a 21 year old with two brothers (22, 16), I would be pretty horrified if either of them decided to stroll around naked :P If your parents are cool with it, great, but thats a different sort of family relationship and your sister may well not feel the same way. You've said you don't really want to talk to her about it, but I'm not sure 'trying it to see what she thinks' is a great idea either.. I agree with the above advice, own a dressing gown :P

[Dr.Bobby]

Thanks for the easy question!

I'm not at all sure what it is you're trying to accomplish there with all this, it sounds like a very convoluted way of exploring (and resolving) whatever it is you're struggling with, but there's really no excuse for intentionally being naked in front of people who are not at all accustomed to it. It's not just your comfort or needs, it's hers, too.

Cover up here, and maybe rethink this little experiment of yours, too.

[AmazonQueen]

Personally I don't think this is approprieate at all, but from my experience any person being nude (or near nude) that's not my partner around me causes great uneasyness. My Dad since I can remember walks around in ONLY his underwear 99% of the time, and though I don't say anything it does disturb me and raise concerns. I was molested or abused sexually so this may be the cause and I understand any sort of sexual tension is not your intention but most people do relate sexuality with nudity making it unacceptable to be seen naked by a mother, father, sister or brother or anything of the sort. My suggestion is to cover up or AT LEAST where boxers or a robe on those trips to the bathroom. It's important that everyone's needs are met, not just yours.

All that being said, sorry if you didn't find this very helpful.

[Magic.]

I personally don't think you're being inappropriate ... my family are very open about nudity. I personally wouldn't want them seeing me naked, but I have no problem seeing them naked.
I would however recommend, for the interest of your sister, that you talk to them about it. As you said you want to be respectful. It sounds like it's something she wouldn't be bothered by but out of respect you should ask. If I were you I would ask your sister and parents to talk, explain to them what you are doing and ask if they are OK with your plans. If they're not you can rethink how to go about it, and if they are they will feel respected that you asked them rather than just doing it.