Answering the tough questions, 7 year old... "why are privates private?"?

Question

Question Details: DS caught me off guard with this one question... I guess I should have seen it coming. His curiosity has been becoming obvious as we happen to come across a statue of 'david', and he started asking why the statue was allowed to be naked? "oh boy I am having a tough time with these questions." I need some ideas on how to better handle these situations. What has worked for you?

PLEASE ONLY SERIOUS REPLIES. as this is a serious issue that I am sure many parents have come accross. How do we approach these important issues, and instill a good concious in our children. Thx.

Answer 1

Well you can answer that in some cases, naked statues and paintings are considered art work and they are appropriate in museums or art shows, but in everyday life, our privates remain private to ourselves, that's why they are called privates, because only we can touch them, see them, and clean them.  

Whatever you do, don't make a big deal out of it....talk about it like you would explain anything, matter of fact.  Your son will take his cues from you.  So if you are giggly and make a big deal out of it, he will giggle and make a big deal out of it.  If you get all dramatic, he will get all dramatic.  So when you explain it matter of factly, he will handle it matter of factly as well.

Answer 2

My son is also seven, and he is constantly bombarding me with difficult questions...  At least one new one every day.  So I feel your pain.

As for your question.  What I have found is a good way to respond is that a piece of art is different from an actual nude body.  That in art, just as in books and stories, we can do whatever we want.  However, it would be inappropriate to display a nude body, because our bodies are special and private.

I am a Christian...  So I also tell my son that God made him, and wants him to keep his private parts covered.

Your son's question is tame compared with some my son has asked...  He asked about an ad for one of those erectile dysfunction meds...  that was a "fun" conversation.  Oh and then he asked me why so and so's mom showed part of her b*****s, when she wore a cleavage revealing top to a school function.  I'm sure they will get harder as he starts noticing more and more around him.

God bless!

Answer 3

The truth always works for me.  The statue of David is an artists rendering of the perfect male as created buy God, and was commissioned by the Vatican to be placed in the Sistine Chapel....

Answer 4

Because it's a statue, it is art. If you wish to see it, you can go and look, it is the artists idea of perfection, (despite his er shortcomings :) We are not art, we have moving parts that other people may not wish to see, therefore we cover up.

Answer 5

Tell him that God made our bodies, and that our bodies are beautiful so we sometimes celebrate that creation in art. But, that it is customary (and lawful) in our society to cover our private areas in public.

Try not to show him that you are embarrassed, and don't be afraid to say "You know, that is a good question, I'll have to think about the answer for you!" whenever they catch you completely off guard.

Treat his questions with dignity, respect, and honesty; the way your doctor would answer your questions.

Also, don't worry too much -- this is part of the fun of being a parent!

Answer 6

My best advice is always tell the truth and keep calm, "it's a statue of a man without clolthes on' and someone was an artist and made a scupture of a man, you would might to make a play doh figure of a girl  or something else..?

Answer 7

When I`m stumped I just usally say IDK "What do you think?Then tell them how you view things like if this happened to my 10 yr old DD I`d probaly say It`s really old & art by a famous man-read about the details.I guess if it`s art it`s O.K. to show your privates,But I really think he`d look better with some clothes on Don`t you?In this day & age if we run around like that we`d be arrested.As far as Why are Privates private, I`d just say, because they belong only to you-noone else has the right to look or touch them. It looks like this statue is really proud lol. Gee I wonder what the model would`ve thought that he`d be displayed thru history.NAKED.I bet if he were alive,& knew all the attention his privates got he`d never posed.I know in Roman times they wore robes, Shame they had not invented underwear yet.What  Do You Think? All I can advise is always answer with the truth (as you see it) You just have to take in account,how much they already know (T.V)What they think they know.Be relaxed, laugh, Ask what they think-You`ll be surprized.I`ve always answered my DD honestly, like this, telling her as tactfully as possible the truth.Then throwing in my veiws.

Answer 8

wow, i guess the best way to respond would to be honest and open. Tell him its against the law to be naked outside

Answer 9

My sons are 8 and 10.  Although they've never asked that question in particular, they have started asking different questions.  I would tell your son it's a piece of art.  Sometimes artist do make statues and paintings of naked people.  

I would do some research into some good books about puberty and maybe even talk to your pediatrician about it at his next appointment.  They could help you find some good books on the subject.

I've tried to be very open and honest with my boys, although we haven't had "the talk" yet.  They have asked me about tampons, which I gave them an honest answer about.  But when they saw a KY commercial I told them I wasn't comfortable explaining to them exactly what it used for.  You know what your son can handle.  You know what he's been exposed to.  Use your gut feeling when it comes to knowing how much information he can understand at this age.