The nature of nudes

One of our writers explores what nudes mean to them, and what they can mean to wider society

Anna-Louise Davies
8th March 2023
The taking and sending of naked images of oneself is still seen as relatively taboo, but should they be recognised as a tool for empowerment? Nudes are often presented to us in the media in the form of warnings, with cases such as the leaking of celebrity naked images or stories of revenge porn. However it is not often considered in a positive light. Many people maintain the belief that taking such photographs of oneself inspires greater body confidence and self love. 

Naked images may be taken or sent in many contexts. Some people may choose to take a nude photo of themselves in a moment or heightened body confidence and therefore want to capture the moment. Others may use such images as a way of exploring a new sexual avenue with a partner, potentially even using it as a type of foreplay in the lead up to a long awaited reunion. It is becoming increasingly popular to view the taking and sending of these images as extremely empowering as it makes them feel sexy, desirable and more accepting of their body.

Taking and sending of these images as extremely empowering as it makes them feel sexy, desirable and more accepting of their body

It must be stated however, that whatever the intent may have been by the person capturing the image, it must be consensually taken and sent by an adult to an adult without coercion. There are those with what are now increasingly considered ‘old fashioned views’, who hold serious concerns over the sharing of such images and are of the opinion that they make the person in the photograph vulnerable. This is not an entirely misplaced concern due to the matter of ‘revenge porn’, whereby following the end of a relationship, out of spite and anger, one of the partners shares the intimate images that were previously sent to them by their former partner, without their consent. This offence carries a sentence of up to two years in the UK. 

Nudes are also occasionally considered to be degrading to the person in the image as they are being sexualised and objectified, however, sexual arousal is not always the sole purpose of such such images, with body confidence being a significant factor.

`Sexual arousal is not always the sole purpose of such such images, with body confidence being a significant factor.

It should also be noted that it is women who are primarily associated with nudes and often in a negative and objectifying light. This is a misogynistic bias which is exacerbated due to news stories in recent years of celebrities, such as Emily Ratajkowsk, having their intimate photographs leaked online, marking a violation in their privacy.

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