Two Day Magazine

Dear Natalie,

My wife is interested in posing nude...like an artist’s model for an art class her one girl friend is taking. They are looking for a model and her friend is pushing her to do it, saying how “liberating” it will be. Don’t get me wrong, my wife is beautiful and in great shape, but I feel really uncomfortable about her being naked around other men. What do you think I should do? If I tell her no, I know there is a big argument coming.

-Cover Up

Dear Cover Up,

It may be hard to think of your wife nude in front of other people, but doesn’t it turn you on (a little bit?) just to think of how sexy your wife is, as the artist’s model? As someone who is being studied and the object of the artist’s inspiration?

It isn’t a sexual scenario, they are learning to understand the female body, so why not “let” your wife be an instrument of their instruction? I use the word “let” loosely, as I am not assuming you are physically “forbidding” her from taking part, but more about emotionally letting her go.

I think you should talk to her about your reservations. It is a completely normal reaction to not want your wife around other men in the buff.

I get it.

But, if her heart is set on doing this and she really feels as though this could be a big step forward on her own path to self-discovery and a step forward in perhaps feeling better about herself nude, why would you want to stop her?

At the same time, she needs to be sensitive to your needs and understand that you are having a difficult time with this. Maybe you can enroll in the art class to see how “non-sexual” the environment is and that will ease your concern. Or, perhaps, you can meet her after class and pick her up so everyone knows that this woman is taken.

Finding a compromise may prove to be tricky, but think of this adventure as a way of learning to control your jealousy and insecurities.

It may actually work to your advantage if she starts feeling more comfortable in her own skin, more willing to take her clothes off...think about it...

Good luck and thanks for the question!