When I was growing up in conservative evangelical Christianity boys, to say nothing of girls, were not allowed to wear shorts. Modesty in dress has always been a Christian moral norm. Neither should be allow nude modeling just because the nudity is in a classroom or art studio. If we-conservative Christian colleges and universities (e.g., the member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities)-allow nude modeling in art classes, why not allow nude swimming in the college or university pool? Why now allow nude sun bathing on campus? We don’t. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.* *Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer) I do not speak for any other person, group or organization nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. And even if that is true, does that mean we should drop our conservative Christian mores about modesty? I don’t think so. The argument I hear most often, especially from art teachers and students, is that if students do not gain experience in drawing and painting nudes they will not be accepted into graduate schools of art. That’s like saying that most teens try alcohol so why ban alcohol from conservative Christian colleges and universities? Most do ban it-at least on campus. That doesn’t mean Christian institutions should use nude models. Yes, I know…most teenagers these days have seen images of naked people of the opposite sex. And to those (especially young) people who object to my answer I will say “Wait until you have sons and/or daughters going off to college and then tell me….” That is my simple, straightforward, controversial answer. Should conservative Christian colleges and universities use nude male or female models in drawing and painting classes? No. When I taught at a conservative, evangelical liberal arts college some female students told me they were only there because their parents told them they would pay for their education only if they attended a conservative Christian college. Why? Because parents are more concerned about their daughters’ collegiate experiences than their sons’. It’s a higher majority than at secular or merely church-related colleges and universities. The majority of students at all conservative Christian colleges and universities are female. She blamed that on the administration and “constituents.” I know the real reason-parents. Recently a female student who majored in art in her undergraduate career complained that the university disallowed male nude models. This has been a lively discussion and debate within and around especially conservative Christian colleges and universities for a very long time.
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