My dad's sex-positive parenting saved my adult body image

• I can talk with my dad about anything without feeling judged.
• His body and sex positivity have been key to my mental health growing up and even as an adult.

A naked body isn't inherently sexual. A nip slip is nothing to be ashamed of. Calories are for energy and not appearance.

These are a few of the many, many phrases that embody my dad's attitude toward image. Straightforwardness — which sometimes materializes as "tough love" — has always been his way. "You can talk to me about anything" is a cliché, but with my dad, I actually do. His body- and sex-positive approach to parenting has done wonders for my mental health, both as a teenager and now as an adult.

My dad has been a role model and my confidant

As a young person, it was exhausting to deal with body insecurity, postpuberty hormones, and the sexual pressures of high-school relationships. My dad acted as both a role model — tanning nude in our backyard, even when we had company — and a counselor — spouting home truths like "masturbation is healthy" and "the bush might make a comeback." Things that were slightly horrifying at the time now make me laugh; this man had no shame, and why should he? Why should anyone?

Dads often get a bad rap for being overly protective of their daughters. While that protection may come from a good place, my dad took a more progressive approach, never questioning my clothing choices (rather, I distinctly remember him offering to buy me a thong bikini) or warning me of the dangers of premarital sex (besides STIs and unwanted pregnancy, of course).

Instead, my parents and I had frank discussions about birth control, condoms, and abortions — which they offered to arrange if I ever needed one. Teenage girls have just as much sex as teenage boys; at least my dad was realistic about it.

There was no privacy in my house and I was OK with that

Privacy was a stranger in my childhood home. Before we added a second bathroom, my parents and I would share the same one, a simultaneous getting-ready routine ensuing each morning. Everything was out in the open. I didn't realize this wasn't normal until my friends said they'd never seen their parents naked. At some point, I started internalizing other people's embarrassment, closing the door during showers and walking around in a robe. My dad asked me why I felt the need to hide my body.

I think for some people, my relationship with my dad comes across as weird. We've spoken about anal sex, sending nudes, UTIs, body hair, road head, and the list goes on. Yes, my parents know I have sex. No, they don't know every detail (it's OK to have some boundaries). But I don't find it weird; I find it refreshing.

My dad's openness gave me body confidence

My dad always encouraged me to be confident. As a teen, I sometimes struggled with that, thanks to my school's gender-biased dress code and boys poking fun at girls over just about anything, but especially the scent of their vaginas, the size of their nipples, or the presentation of their pubic hair. These comments can stick — but thanks to my dad, they didn't.

I'm 24 now, and my sense of self is sturdier than ever. This allows me to have fulfilling romantic relationships, a healthy attitude toward sex, and the assurance to speak openly about my body. I can go to my dad with any issue and receive a thoughtful, nonjudgmental response.

Feeling secure in myself is a relief — a metaphorical weight off my shoulders. I can credit my dad for lifting that burden.