Nudity
We are all born naked, yet there’s a taboo about displaying naked bodies in public. Mike Williams asks why the naked human form provokes such strong reactions?
We are all born naked, yet there is a taboo about displaying naked bodies in public. Societies around the world have established conventions about who may see what, when and where. So why does the naked human form provoke such strong reactions?
A fully-clothed Mike Williams visits a life drawing class, speaks to the founder of a topless protest group, and hears from an academic about how the former East German government tried, but ultimately failed, to ban public nudism.
(Photo: Tourists look at David by Michelangelo in Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, Italy. Credit: Lornet/Shutterstock)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Sat 6 Dec 2014 14:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online
- Sat 6 Dec 2014 23:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online
- Sun 7 Dec 2014 05:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online
Featured in...
Why do we look the way we do?—The Why Factor
Hairy, shaved, tattooed, in trainers, ties, suits or jeans - what's the story?
Get the podcast
Subscribe or download individual episodes for free
Why do we look the way we do?
Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?
Podcast
-
The Why Factor
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions