Yeah, I missed this article that's now 5 months old. But there's so much more to the matter than what's in Smith's book. I've met Smith, briefly, and liked his "Naked Child" book. However, there is SO MUCH more to the history of social opposition to nudity than Dennis' book covers. The problem can't reasonably be understood at all just from recent history.
In many parts of the world for which we know some history nudity has been a problem for at least 4 millennia - 4000 years, and probably more. I'm currently reading Victoria Bateman's book (Naked Feminism). The first chapter covers the whole period since around 2000 BCE in commendable detail. It deals mainly with female nudity, but some male nudity too. In fact, male nudity has usually been much less controversial than female nudity. Much of the reason is probably due to the treatment of women as second-class people who must be controlled by men. Basically, the problem is to prevent other men from appreciating the nudity of one or more women who "belong" to some particular male.
I'll certainly be reviewing Victoria's book before too long, I hope. It's definitely a must-read for all naturists.
Very informative review. It helps me understand what value it be to read the book and if there are any biases I should be aware of. Thanks.
Yeah, I missed this article that's now 5 months old. But there's so much more to the matter than what's in Smith's book. I've met Smith, briefly, and liked his "Naked Child" book. However, there is SO MUCH more to the history of social opposition to nudity than Dennis' book covers. The problem can't reasonably be understood at all just from recent history.
In many parts of the world for which we know some history nudity has been a problem for at least 4 millennia - 4000 years, and probably more. I'm currently reading Victoria Bateman's book (Naked Feminism). The first chapter covers the whole period since around 2000 BCE in commendable detail. It deals mainly with female nudity, but some male nudity too. In fact, male nudity has usually been much less controversial than female nudity. Much of the reason is probably due to the treatment of women as second-class people who must be controlled by men. Basically, the problem is to prevent other men from appreciating the nudity of one or more women who "belong" to some particular male.
I'll certainly be reviewing Victoria's book before too long, I hope. It's definitely a must-read for all naturists.