Xref: utzoo sci.bio:872 sci.misc:797
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From: diaz@aecom.YU.EDU (Dan D)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.misc
Subject: Re: A Unique characteristic of Humans
Message-ID: <1587@aecom.YU.EDU>
Date: 1 Feb 88 20:27:03 GMT
References: <3032@zeus.TEK.COM> <1576@aecom.YU.EDU> <2151@chinet.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Graduate School of Hard Knocks
Lines: 18
Summary: Clothing is cultural, not a biological necessity

In article <2151@chinet.UUCP>, editor@chinet.UUCP (Alex Zell) writes:
> 
> [...]clothing for personnel serving on such a vessel was superfluous and 
> that total nudity would be preferable in that environment.
> [...]it was noted that very seldom did one see photos
> in National Geographic of people in primitive cultures without a 
> breechcloth.  It was suggested that clothing had a protective function
> without regard to modesty.  

There is good evidence that in appropriate climates, clothing is not
necessary.  From an evolutionary perspective, I think it likely that the
ancestors of man lost their hair before they gained clothing.

In many non-Western tropical cultures, clothing is not worn until the
child has reached the age of puberty (or has passed through a similar
cultural rite of passage).  Clothing is a sign of adulthood.
-- 
       dn/dx  Dan D diaz@aecom.yu.edu  Dept. Molecular Biology & Plumbing
       Ein Stein Call Age of Meddy Sin of Your Shiva You Nee Verse Itty