Nudity and Violence in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Jul 14, 2010 in Culture
Rick Steves recently wrote an article about nudity in Europe and the normal American reaction to that nudity. Titled European nudes and American prudes (cute huh?) it was published over at CNN.com for those of you interested.
The article claims that Europeans are much more comfortable with nudity than Americans. Something that I agree with based solely on my own experiences and no actual research whatsoever. For most people who have ever traveled to Europe though, this comes as no revelation. But it brings up an interesting point, one that doesn’t have so much to do with nudity as it does with cultural values.
In the US nudity is akin to sacrilege. The now infamous nipple slip by Janet Jackson a few years back resulted in nearly half a million dollars in fines and a crackdown on nudity or anything remotely sexual on TV. For a nipple.
Of course, moving to Sweden put that in stark contrast. Suddenly movies played on TV weren’t editing out the nudity. News programs weren’t blurring out the nudity. Newspapers were printing nude pictures when they were newsworthy. It was kind of refreshing to be perfectly honest. It’s just a nipple. We’ve all got them.
Then I started noticing that while nudity wasn’t being edited out, other things were. Most notably blood and violence. Especially in those movies playing on TV. It was a strange thing to notice, I know, but it pointed out one of those simple things everyone talks about when going abroad. The cultural values of a country.
For better or worse, the US has decided that we need less nudity in our everyday lives. For better or worse, Sweden has decided that we need less violent images in our everyday lives. It doesn’t necessarily mean that Swedes are running around naked on the streets or that Americans are running around displaying blood and guts on every street corner. It does mean though that those cultural values play a role (sometimes blatant, sometimes imperceptible) in our everyday lives as we cross cultures.
As you go between your home culture and Sweden, what has struck you as being valued abroad more than at home? Or vice versa?
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About the Author: Marcus Cederström
Marcus Cederström has been writing for the Transparent Swedish Blog since 2009. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Oregon, a Master's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a PhD in Scandinavian Studies and Folklore from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has taught Swedish for several years and still spells things wrong. So, if you see something, say something.
Comments:
Kenia:
You’ve mentioned a quite controversial subject now, Marcus. I’ll soon move to Sweden and I already know by biggest shock, besides the cold temperatures, will be their lack of modesty when it comes to show their whole bodies. Just like you, i see it as a cultural difference, but a HUGE one indeed!
So, let me just ask you, from your experience, was it too tough to get used say to the naked sauna baths? Or to have your girlfriend topless in front of other guys? You see, in Cuba where I am from, absolutely no one would be ok with that.
I know i’ve gone pretty personal on asking here, but you see, this really worries me. TIA!
Sula:
Being from Brazil, people always mention that our bikinis are small. But, my first time in Europe, many years ago, while visiting Spain, I ran across many topless women on the beach and that really was a culture shock for me. So our bikinis show alot, but some women show it ALL. Different. very different!
Luke (Sydney):
I have just decided to visit Sweden before Brazil 😉
Marcus Cederström:
@Kenia – having spent a lot of my childhood going back and forth between Sweden and the US, it wasn’t all that difficult actually. I think it is important though to remember that while they do have a more relaxed view on nudity, it by no means that every girl is running around on the beaches topless. In fact, I think that is the nice thing about it, you kind of do what you want and no one seems to mind either way.
@Sula – Ive never been to Brazil but do know a few people from there and they mention the exact same thing! It does make a difference what and how much is being shown.
@Luke – the Swedish Tourist Board thanks you.
Minty:
Kenia- I havnt seena single naked person here. Some of the girls from cuba called the boys who were shirtless ‘naked’ though, from Power Meet. Which i think is ridiculous…the boys in Oz take thier shirts off all the frikken time, so I dont think tis weird at all. I have only heard of the naked saunas with friends, no naked in public stuff.
Marcus- What swedish tourist board? Tourism? hahaha
Kenia:
@Minty – Seriously? Cuban girls calling shirtless boys “naked”? I think not even a religious cuban girl would consider it so, so i guess those you’ve met are pretty special =). We show a lot here when we dress, and just like in Oz, guys take their shirts off all the time, anywhere (well, almost) because of the intense heat; in fact my boyfriend says swedes dress “more decent” than we do, but we have our limit well set and they seem to have none! Anyway, good to know that it’s not as bad as they say, although naked saunas even if only with friends sounds like a little too much.
Minty:
@Kenia
Yeah, the cuban girls I know are 40yo christians.
I know its hot there, they just must nto go out 😛 Or maybe she jsut expected them to be more…clothed in Sweden. She does have kids so maybe its a motherly side! hehe
Im not too comfortable with the naked sauna idea with friends either…and that was jsut girl friends. Ive also had the suggestion that all the boys and girls strip and sit in the bath to be ‘washed by’ one of the people….No thanks! hehe.
Rastik:
I visit saunas a lot, in Austrian moutains in particular. Most of the hotels and spas have only common (mixed gender) saunas and a towel is the only thing one would take with during visit. Strangers or friends that’s no difference. I’ve never heard it’s an issue somewhere else in world, I’m quite surprised.
Marcus Cederström:
sounds like there are different views on nudity throughout the world. just one more of those little things that isnt always considered but sometimes crops up in the cultural exchange when moving to or visiting a different country.