Reported... for nudity? (Updated)

On the heels of my super cute and - let's be honest - hilarious toddler pic being reported for nudity on Facebook by who knows...  I feel the need to say a few things.  Wait.  Let me get my coffee. *sip*

This (reposted to Facebook) is the photo that was reported to Facebook.  Due to my privacy settings, only my friends should be able to see it.  Well, until now.  But that's not even my issue here.  My issue runs deeper than a simple game of 'who dun it'.  I honestly couldn't care less. What concerns me are the implications of someone thinking this photo is inappropriate on the level of it's nudity.  And yes.  Those clouds were there prior to the report.  So my 2 year old, potty training, cloud covered son is a problem for someone out there in cyber space. A 'friend', no less.

Somehow, Americans have gotten to a sad, sad place regarding the human body. We live in a world where it's okay for young ladies to twerk in thongs and display the entirety of their cleavage in a profile picture. It's acceptable for high school girls to wear shorts so short that if they don't wax their pubes it'll be public knowledge. Nipples are common place and unoffensive... unless, of course, theres an infant feeding from them.  Wait, wait, this isn't a breastfeeding in public post... but that's a harsh reality.

My four children and I spent the last four years living in Italy. Children ran in the yard nude. Girls swim topless until puberty and often after. It's nothing for children to strip naked and go for a dip in the river or even run in the water spray at major theme parks in (at most) their underwear. I had honestly either never noticed or forgotten how ridiculous American culture can be when it involves *gasp* nakedness.

Here's the thing.

There will always be threats.  There will always be potential for someone to intend harm. There will always be people who are turned on by things that are unnatural or disturbing or unconventional in the opinion of the masses.  These people have always existed.  These people will always exist.

Here's another thing.

For 15 years, as long as I've been a mother, my first priority has been the love and protection of my children.  I have spent more hours than the general public will ever appreciate trying to care for and protect my children.  I teach them self awareness, I teach them self acceptance, I teach them about respect for themselves and for others.  I teach them modesty and boundaries and morality.  I teach them about what is appropriate and what isn't and when they are old enough, I teach them about predator protection and internet safety.

With those things out in the open, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?

I have no intention of putting my children out in a pornographic or otherwise harmful nature.  But I also refuse - do you hear me? REFUSE! - to teach my children that there is no such thing as innocence.  And I REFUSE to lose the appreciation for innocence myself. Children are amazing.  They come into this world full of wonder and eagerness to absorb the world around them.  If we can't appreciate what is natural and innocent, we lose the wonder of childhood and, quite frankly, life.

The life of a mom is full of moments where we see our children in their most adorable element.  We see them learning, growing, discovering, accomplishing, astounding every day.  And, let's face it. At some point, they're naked.  If they're anything like my kids (the little two, at least), they're naked a lot.  And their nakedness often adds to the mother's daily dose of laughter. Well, if the mom is anything like me.  And if that mom is like me, she will take a picture of whatever monumental (or just amusing) thing that is going on regardless of the state of undress... and edit appropriately prior to posting online for other folks to join in on the hilarity or accomplishment.  Part of the fun is determining what tiny picture I'm going to use as a censor block.

I'm not saying we don't need to consider the very real existence of child predators.  I'm just saying that perhaps we need to get our priorities in line and teach our children to be proud and respectful of their bodies. And if you view a photo of a child learning to use the potty with their genitals no more visible than a kid at the beach as a sexual threat? Well, then.  Perhaps you're part of the problem and I'd like to keep you away from all children for the sake of everyone involved.  Your line of thinking is definitely not innocent.

Next time you view a photo of a child with no visible "private" parts and you think about the sexual implications, do the world a favor.  Seek help.  Don't punish a mother for relishing in what is good, pure, happy and innocent in her child's life.  You are the problem. Not mothers and their precious children.

UPDATE:

When I awoke this morning, I had 95 views on this blog and a broken link that took readers to a page alerting us all that the photo was deemed offensive by Facebook and removed for content.  I am not shocked.  Someone in their office is probably clicking "delete" on every complaint that finds it's way to the server.  So whats a girl to do?! Repost.  And re-link.  And go on a search for an editing app that will allow me to go bigger, better and funnier with adding creative censor blocks to butts and such.

I've sent in my three sentence statement of disappointment to the Facey-book powers that be, but we all know that isn't going to blow the slightest breeze toward ruffling those feathers.  So all I can say is this:  Stand up for yourself, your kids, your standards... and don't lose the humor or the innocence.  Life has a way of sending people like Moronica DeFecalhead (name creeds to my dad, ya know, the man who helped me see the humor in things such as these) to try to suck the joy out of life.  Fight back and don't let 'em get to ya.

I'm taking the kids to the pool today.  There will be pictures.  Ooh...  better start planning censorship!!

Have an AWESOME day, y'all.