Society and Nudity

[muggiwhplar]

I also think that we can stand to not be so uptight about nudity and sex, but I can't for the life of me imagine many legitimate purposes to put it into a TV show other than "lol boobies".

 

I'm thinking the reason you think that is because of the social norms you've been raised with :P

 

Why does there have to be a reason to show nudity? It's just nudity. It's not a big deal.

[Alg]

I'm thinking the reason you think that is because of the social norms you've been raised with :P

 

Why does there have to be a reason to show nudity? It's just nudity. It's not a big deal.

It's easy to see why he thinks that when the only reason that media uses nudity these days is for that reason, though.

 

Like Giordano said, I think we're more alright with violence these days because it's a lot more common for violence to have a purpose outside of shock value than it is for nudity to have a purpose outside of sex appeal.

[muggiwhplar]

That's another thing-- the media constantly bombards you with sex appeal while at the same time saying sex is bad.

[Vezon Dash]

I don't think society says that it is bad. If anything, it is the opposite.

 

Also, this topic needs its own thread.

[muggiwhplar]

Good call, Jamal

[Donnie]

Sexualization of content comes from sexual repression and the taboo of it. In countries where sex is a very open topic you have much less sexualization on TV then the United States. Here we talk about sex a lot more but dont show anything, there they show stuff from time to time but dont really bring it up because its not a big deal.

 

Plus there is sexual shame in the states for BOTH men and women. Its also not coincidental that the most religious contries watch the most porn.

[Randox]

One of the things I wonder about is simple desensitization, and how much it really matters.

 

First, the way I see it we are a violent species that has largely repressed our violent urges to forward our own survival. As evidence of our nature, I submit the social hierarchy of elementary up through highschool which is often based on physical prowess and desirability. So I'll subscribe to the theory that we need outlets (plural) to help relieve our primal urges and prevent pent up frustration.

 

For nudity, I think most of the outcry is based on established norms. At some point we decided parts of our bodies should be hidden, which has turned nothing special into something special. I'd posit that moving to palces that require clothes to not freeze to death, and religion, are probably the prime culprits (as on observation that the parts of the world were nudity is either less of an issue, or not one at all, are all really warm all year, and also don't subscribe to any of the classical religions).

 

In thereory, I don't think exposure should ever be a problem as long as it's never treated as a big deal. If it established as a norm, then so what. I also believe that it is better to be taught (as far as a current level of development will allow on a conceptual level) when the questions start getting asked so that you get the best information. The way I see it, the problem is getting there.

 

Now for me, I can't say the current setup really bothers too much. Yes, it does interfere with certain things (on both a violence and nudity front), but being what I am used to, I am well accustomed to it and take it for granted that this is what I will be seeing on TV, just as I take it for granted that at no point will I ever see Jack Bauer using the bathroom during a season of 24.

[obfuscator]

I'm not sure what nudity is, I think some should be posted in this topic for "clarification" purposes only :P

[Riku3220]

I'm not sure what nudity is, I think some should be posted in this topic for "clarification" purposes only :P

We could create a whole new sub forum for it. Have it password protected for those who are deemed "most mature" or something.

[Tesset]

I also think that we can stand to not be so uptight about nudity and sex, but I can't for the life of me imagine many legitimate purposes to put it into a TV show other than "lol boobies".

 

I'm thinking the reason you think that is because of the social norms you've been raised with :P

 

Why does there have to be a reason to show nudity? It's just nudity. It's not a big deal.

In any media, if the writing is well done, anything you show has to have a reason. It's for the same reason you don't show characters going to the bathroom; if it's not important, don't show it.

 

I can think of situations where nudity can be nonsexual and have a reason - I'm particularly reminded of Maude's opening scene in Big Lebowski, which established her character but wasn't sexual - but in most cases, there's no advantage to showing a character nude over showing them clothed.

[muggiwhplar]

Do you think it's good that sex scenes are heavily censored and feminized?

[Vezon Dash]

I feel that we shouldn't have them in most movies at all. It adds nothing to the plot, and it just makes things awkward when watching with certain company.

[Riku3220]

Do you think it's good that sex scenes are heavily censored and feminized?

Good as in benefits? Not really, but I don't see a point in having completely uncensored and porn-esque (I'm assuming this is the difference between "feminine" and "masculine" sex secene) sex scenes either.

[muggiwhplar]

I feel that we shouldn't have them in most movies at all. It adds nothing to the plot, and it just makes things awkward when watching with certain company.

 

My point is-- if it sex was considered "normal" as opposed to "sacred" and only acceptable under very specific circumstances, then do you really think it would still be awkward to watch a sex scene with certain company?

[Alg]

My point is-- if it sex was considered "normal" as opposed to "sacred" and only acceptable under very specific circumstances, then do you really think it would still be awkward to watch a sex scene with certain company?

Depends on the sex scene. I'm a firm believer in the idea that less is more when it comes to that sort of thing. Look at a movie like the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; the rape part would have arguably been scarier if it ended when the camera panned away from the door and left it to the viewer's imagination, when the version that got in the movie managed to be more uncomfortable than it should have been because it showed every little detail. The rest of the sex in that movie was just gratuitous; it did nothing but make a long movie longer.

 

Of course, that's probably exactly what you're talking about. :razz:

[muggiwhplar]

I haven't seen that movie :(

[obfuscator]

I've yet to watch a movie where a sex scene added anything to the plot.

[Kaida23]

I've yet to watch a movie where a sex scene added anything to the plot.

^This. The last movie I watched with a full-on sex scene (adult movies aside ;)), or at least Hollywood's version of one, was Taking Lives. The scene felt completely tacked on, ruined the pacing of the move and apparently served no purpose other than to show us Angelina Jolie's breasts.

 

On the other hand, Swordfish showed us Halle Berry's breasts in a way that, while admittedly was most likely done for shock value, fit with the both the setting and the character (she was sunbathing topless on the patio) and did it without any further sexual overtones at all. It wasn't even very long, a few seconds at most, but they still had to film a version with her wearing a top so it could be broadcast on television (note that they didn't need to edit any of the violence for that version). Even the scene that showed her in her underwear was more tense than sexual.

 

Nudity can be done without having the whole thing devolve into some kind of orgy. Unfortunately, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

[Ginger_Warrior]

We know that Hollywood tends to blow things completely out of proportion anyway, be it sex, violence, politics, drug abuse... you name it, and to be honest, films aren't that popular with the general population, so maybe it's not the best standard to judge the rest of our society on.

[obfuscator]

There is a difference between nudity and sex in films though - I do want to make that distinction.

 

For example, take Schindler's List. There's a large amount of nudity in that film - the majority of it is non-sexual and simply serves to be historically accurate (like the concentration camp prisoners showering naked).

 

On the other hand, there are several moments where a naked woman randomly appears in bed, and another scene that would probably qualify as a "sex scene". Neither of these moments add anything to the film - in fact the most poignant and memorable sexual interaction in that film is one where both participants remain fully clothed (Amon talking to Helen in the basement).

[muggiwhplar]

We know that Hollywood tends to blow things completely out of proportion anyway, be it sex, violence, politics, drug abuse... you name it, and to be honest, films aren't that popular with the general population, so maybe it's not the best standard to judge the rest of our society on.

 

It's sort of a chicken and egg/yin and yang kind of thing. Hollywood and society reinforce each other. Can't make a Hollywood film too sexual or politically incorrect, or else everyone will get offended. And then Hollywood loses money.