Chitter Chatter
Half-naked boy causes family riff
Is the word man-ish still used in modern vernacular? I looked it up over at dictionary.com and it wasn’t listed. Does anyone remember when a little boy was trying to act say fresh, slick, “mack-daddy”-ish, he was referred to as man-ish? I could hear my grandmother now talking to these boys who grab their crotch at young women when they pass by. “Boy, what’s wrong with you? You should be shame. Ain’t no woman gone want some drawl-showing, man-ish little boy with a crotch itch.” Hmmm…I’m so glad I knew her because I need her old-time wisdom raising my children, especially the Love Machine.
He was walking around the house today with no shirt on and when I asked him to put his shirt on, he said, “Why Mommy? No shirt. That’s my style. Men can do that you know?” What? Men? He’s 7, has no top front teeth and will cry when sleepy, but he’s a man now. Did I get a memo? Did I miss something?
I was raised with all girls. I know we had a ton of issues, but did I think I was a woman at 7? Nope. So, what am I to do? I, of course, consult THE man of the house.
“Honey, your son wants to keep his shirt off around the house. Am I wrong for telling him to put his shirt on?”
“I don’t know I can’t answer that.” (Just when you turn to the brotha for some help…ok, ok…go back with another question.)
“Well, did you not wear a shirt in the house when you were 7?”
“Probably not, but I had the same kind of pride in my body that he does, so I guess it’s okay.”
Dingdingding…the proverbial bell in my head just went off. Body pride? Is that what this is about? Ok, so this leads me to another conversation I had with some friends. My girlfriend walks around the house naked all of the time and she has both boy and girl children ranging from 17 to 7. Is that okay?
You all weigh in. I’m just curious because I would be so self-conscious about the effect that this would have on my children and I would really freak out if someone saw me through a window or something. Am I too uptight? Are we too uptight as a culture? or To each his own? Did your parents walk around naked ?
Discussion
6 comments for “Half-naked boy causes family riff”
Post a comment
Well, my husband and I have always had a loose policy on nudity in the house. We go to our bedrooms to change our clothes, but if my kids barge in (7yo boy, 4yo & 2yo girls) I don’t make a big deal out of it. I did walk around nekkid a lot when the oldest was little. Our bodies are what they are, and I figure if I can offer him something in the way of de-sexualizing the female form, then I will had done a great service to future women he meets. Because bodies and nudity is not all about sex and indecency. It’s just the human condition. Or at least that’s my .02 cents.
Yeah, my mom walked around naked a lot.
Like mama, like daughter — but my kids are younger.
And that’s funny, I was thinking that a little boy I met was “manish” too!
Paula
my parents walked around naked and i hated it…my mom still couldn’t care less tho
i think the experience turned me into a semi-prude. too funny about your son though.
Oh…too funny. I am raising all boys–3 to be exact. And my husband is the one who is oh so modest in our home. His modest is mind-boggling to me since he is a physical trainer, and at 40 looks fabulously 30.
My boys are more like me, however, and it drives my husband crazy. Where I would never walk around naked, I have no problem getting dressed as I walk through the house. I have absolutely no issue with ironing my clothes while in my undergarments. My husband does not leave our bedroom without at least shorts and a full t-shirt. My oldest boy would sleep in his birthday suit if allowed and my middle boy at 7 will just stop and flash me his peepee on his way to the shower.*laugh.
I am not at all ashamed of my body, and so therefore, I treat it with the respect it deserves–which is the balance that I’ve struck my own home. Where I wont let them walk around half-naked—half-clothed is ok.*smile
LOL at——He’s 7, has no top front teeth and will cry when sleepy, but he’s a man now
haha….
tooooooooo cute!!!
if my son had it his way he would be nakey all day long. it’s my issue i think. i stress when he’s walking around in a pamper. like the dang Paparazzi is lurking through the windows
i do however remember my moms walking around the house all the time naked. not nice at all. LOL 
Girl I would be trippin like you a little my kids like to strip down but that is usually when it is time for bed.