While I am fortunate to be at a school which is fairly liberal, I do have to
say that these objects are amazing to me and troublesome in and of
themselves. I can understand, on some level, the SLM who was uncomfortable
with the nudes in the book on Vermeer, though I do know that if children go
to the Art Institute as a field trip here in Chicago they might run across a
nude.
However, when nude babies are considered troublesome it bothers me since it
suggests that children have become sexualized when there are parents who
object to it. The nudity in Sendak's work, for instance, is as about as far
removed from a sexual experience as I can imagine, and yet as posted on this
listserv there are communities where even that would be unacceptable. It to
me is just troubling that others have taken such a zero tolerance approach
that all children, even babies, are considered sexual creatures.
A nude baby will cause giggles, laughter, and some mild discomfort in the
same way that Dahl's use of the word "ass" in James and the Giant Peach (and
I believe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well) does. However, when
the work has artistic merit, and isn't being used for salacious purposes, I
think it is a great opportunity to open a discussion with students. Again,
just the advantage I have based on the community I am fortunate to work in.
Lane Young
Lower School Librarian and Technology Coordinator
North Shore Country Day School
Winnetka, IL
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