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Revision as of 07:42, 13 March 2006 editDandelion1 (talk | contribs)5,434 edits :''See also Clothes free movement''.← Previous edit Revision as of 07:42, 13 March 2006 edit undoDandelion1 (talk | contribs)5,434 edits :''See also Clothes free movement''.Next edit →
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]
⚫ ] naturist beach in Belgium.]]

:''See also ]''. :''See also ]''.
:''See also ''']''' for comparison. Should not be confused with ].''


'''Naturism''' (pronounced "nature" + "ism") is generally defined as the practice of going nude, especially in a mixed social setting.
See also ''']''' for comparison. '''Nudism''' is the practice of going ] or unclothed in social and usually mixed gender groups, specifically in cultures where this is not the norm. It sometimes occurs furtively in secluded places in countries where appearing ] is illegal, but enjoys widespread acceptance in other areas of the world. Those who practice nudism are called ''nudists'' or ''naturists''.


The term nudist is more widely familiar in North America, however within the naturist and nudist movements, people generally prefer affiliation with one label or the other. Those who practice naturism are called ''naturists''. The exact meaning and association that people have with the terms varies between organizations, localities, and time periods.
In Europe, and particularly in France, "nudist" and "]" don't have the same signification; ''nudism'' is the simple pratice of nudity in public, mainly on the beach, while '']'' is much more (such as common activities) and often implies a philosophical or ethical basis. Naturists don't always want to be called nudists.


⚫ The Naturist conversely is sometimes traditionally defined as an individual who prefers to seek a more natural setting for their clothing optional activities - such as the beach, lake, woods or mountains. They are not joiners in the sense of the traditional nudist nor do they often consider their clothing optional activity to be a remarkable thing but rather simply a part of their normal lifestyle. Some political contention exists between the traditional Nudist and the Naturist within the national organizations that represent clothing optional recreation for lobbying purposes; the former seeking a status quo while the later pushes for expansion of beaches and other outdoor facilities and their designation for clothing optional use. Naturists in America tend to be more supportive of ] than do nudists, who generally invest more focus on landed and non-landed clubs.
Naturists reject views that being naked with other people is morally wrong, sexual ''per se'', or pornographic, arguing that nudism is a natural state. They argue that being nude is to be in your purest form, as everyone was born nude.


Many people operate under the general context of the formal movements without adhering to either term and without formal associations to organizations. This is common, for example on ] and ].
Activities can be indoors and outdoors. Typical activities are relaxation, ] and ]s, but some nudists prefer also to be nude while working, etc., whenever the temperature and the social situation allows it (including when one is alone). A nude party (not to be confused with a ]) may be public (e.g. ]) or private. For those who choose to live permanently with other nudists, see ].


⚫ ] naturist beach in Belgium]]


]: naturist beach in Brazil]]


==Nudity and sexuality==
==General==
Many non-naturists believe that nudity in a social setting is sexually stimulating and arousing. Some Naturists disagree, claiming that there is more sexual tension in the near-nude environment of a ] or a ] than at a naturist or nudist site.
Nudists believe that the human body is not inherently shameful, rather that it is something to be cherished. In the traditional view, the nudist is defined as a person who seeks out organized social settings for the practice of the nudist philosophy. This usually takes the form of membership in a landed or nonlanded nudist club with a well defined system of conduct and social structure. It is touted as a predictable environment and purports to offer the participants a safety factor that comes with enclosed facilities that permit nudism to exist lawfully without the threat of legal action or observation by outsiders seeking to view them for prurient purposes.


Naturist and nudist organizations widely maintain and enforce a policy prohibiting ] in public, and many naturist sites describe themselves as ]-oriented.
⚫ Conversely, the ] is sometimes traditionally defined as an individual who prefers to seek a more natural setting for their clothing optional activities - such as the beach, lake, woods or mountains. They seldom consider their clothing optional activity to be a remarkable thing, but rather simply a part of their normal lifestyle. Some political contention exists between the traditional nudist and the naturist within the national organizations that represent clothing optional recreation for lobbying purposes; the former seeking a status quo while the later pushes for expansion of beaches and other outdoor facilities and their designation for clothing optional use.

Nudism is not equivalent to ]. It is described by followers as people who enjoy being nude and who are not primarily interested in seeing others naked (strictly, voyeurism) or being seen naked by others. All kinds of people are attracted for all kinds of reasons. Many naturists are convinced that increased exposure to the natural environment, made easier through nudity, can result in numerous health benefits. ] has been shown to be beneficial in some skin conditions and is required by the body to make ] ]. However, with the increased awareness of skin cancer, wearing of sunblock/] is now part of the nudist culture and is one of their frequently discussed topics. Whereas nudist parents do not require their children to put on clothes before going outside at a nudist club or beach, most do require them to put on sunscreen lotion. Overall, naturists often claim that they are more relaxed and in a better state of ] when they shed their clothes.

Being around like-minded people can make interpersonal interactions, such as meeting new friends, easier and many nudist organizations are really just social clubs. Some of these clubs have stricter entrance requirements than some traditional up-scale 'country clubs', including references, a sponsoring member, a trial membership, committee approval, and due to fears about sex offenders, criminal background checks (though this is normally only done on male applicants). At the other end of the spectrum is 'unorganized' naturism in which there is nothing to join, no one to pay, and only civil, common and criminal ] to serve as rules of ]. Many people get their first exposure to the naturist movement through this kind of informal nudism (e.g. a clothing optional beach, a friend's place in the woods, a party on the shore; ]).

Strong nudist movements exist in ] (called '''FKK''' or Freikörperkultur - Free Body Culture), ] and the ], and smaller such organizations exist in many other nations. Social nudity is practiced in many cultures, especially in the context of social bathing, sometimes with mixed sexes.



==History of nudism==

:''See ]


The possibility of getting an ] is a concern often cited by males who are apprehensive of naturism, but naturism do not generally consider this to be a reason for avoiding participation. Erections are not very common because the naturist environment is generally non-sexualized. Some naturists suggest that fear of getting an erection is itself a factor that can prevent spontaneous erections. Should an erection occur one can cover up, go swimming, or take a shower until it subsides. Overtly flaunting an erection is considered by many to be lewd behavior.


Involvement in naturism has not been shown to be harmful to childhood psychological development.
Parents always need to be vigilant to guard their children from sexual predators and other concerns. This applies equally to naturists as it does for non-naturists.


==See also== ==See also==
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*] *]
*] *]
*'']'' - nudist ] series
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*] *]
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*] *]
*] *]
*]
*Compare ]. *Compare ].


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*Mary S. Calderone, M.D. (1981) in "The Family Book About Sexuality" ISBN 0397013779 *Mary S. Calderone, M.D. (1981) in "The Family Book About Sexuality" ISBN 0397013779



==External links== ==External links==
<!--This list is sorted alphabetically by the title of the site. If you are adding a link, please put it in the correct place in the list-->


====General Links==== ====General Sites====
* - An extensive list of naturist campsites worldwide
* *
* - includes US and Canadian laws and legislative bill texts related to nudism, and a newsletter * - includes US and Canadian laws and legislative bill texts related to nudism, and a newsletter
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* - General naturist information, links directory, naturist blog * - General naturist information, links directory, naturist blog
* - news on nude beaches worldwide, in the form of updates to a book * - news on nude beaches worldwide, in the form of updates to a book
*
* an online naturist magazine * an online naturist magazine
* - A Map-based Guide to Nudist Beaches around the World.
*
* - on the harm of ] from a Christian perspective * - on the harm of ] from a Christian perspective

* - On how decent naturists should avoid problems with cyber cops carrying out ]s. * - On how decent naturists should avoid problems with cyber cops carrying out ]s.


====Regional Sites==== ====Regional Sites====
* - An extensive list of naturist campsites worldwide
* - a Canadian Based, Supportive, Informative, Non-Sexual set of Resources Including Very Active Forums * - a Canadian Based, Supportive, Informative, Non-Sexual set of Resources Including Very Active Forums
* - nude beaches in the UK and Ireland * - nude beaches in the UK and Ireland
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Revision as of 07:42, 13 March 2006

A woman on a horse
Bredene naturist beach in Belgium.
See also Clothes free movement.
See also Nudism for comparison. Should not be confused with naturalism.

Naturism (pronounced "nature" + "ism") is generally defined as the practice of going nude, especially in a mixed social setting.

The term nudist is more widely familiar in North America, however within the naturist and nudist movements, people generally prefer affiliation with one label or the other. Those who practice naturism are called naturists. The exact meaning and association that people have with the terms varies between organizations, localities, and time periods.

The Naturist conversely is sometimes traditionally defined as an individual who prefers to seek a more natural setting for their clothing optional activities - such as the beach, lake, woods or mountains. They are not joiners in the sense of the traditional nudist nor do they often consider their clothing optional activity to be a remarkable thing but rather simply a part of their normal lifestyle. Some political contention exists between the traditional Nudist and the Naturist within the national organizations that represent clothing optional recreation for lobbying purposes; the former seeking a status quo while the later pushes for expansion of beaches and other outdoor facilities and their designation for clothing optional use. Naturists in America tend to be more supportive of public nudity than do nudists, who generally invest more focus on landed and non-landed clubs.

Many people operate under the general context of the formal movements without adhering to either term and without formal associations to organizations. This is common, for example on clothing-optional beaches and clothing-optional activities on public lands.


Nudity and sexuality

Many non-naturists believe that nudity in a social setting is sexually stimulating and arousing. Some Naturists disagree, claiming that there is more sexual tension in the near-nude environment of a pool or a beach than at a naturist or nudist site.

Naturist and nudist organizations widely maintain and enforce a policy prohibiting sex in public, and many naturist sites describe themselves as family-oriented.

The possibility of getting an erection is a concern often cited by males who are apprehensive of naturism, but naturism do not generally consider this to be a reason for avoiding participation. Erections are not very common because the naturist environment is generally non-sexualized. Some naturists suggest that fear of getting an erection is itself a factor that can prevent spontaneous erections. Should an erection occur one can cover up, go swimming, or take a shower until it subsides. Overtly flaunting an erection is considered by many to be lewd behavior.

Involvement in naturism has not been shown to be harmful to childhood psychological development. Parents always need to be vigilant to guard their children from sexual predators and other concerns. This applies equally to naturists as it does for non-naturists.

See also

References

  • Story, Marilyn (Sept. 1984) "Comparisons of Body Self-Concept between Social Nudists & Nonnudists" Journal of Psychology 118
  • Story, Marilyn (1979) "Factors Associated w/More Positive Body Self-Concepts in Preschool children" Jour. of Social Psychology 108 49-56 56
  • Robin Lewis & Louis Janda (1988) "The Relationship Between Adult Sexual Adjustment & Childhood Experiences Regarding Exposure to Nudity, Sleeping in the Parental Bed, Parental Attitudes Toward Sexuality" Arch. of Sexual Behavior 17 No.4
  • Story, Marilyn (May 1987) "A Comparison of Social Nudists & Non-nudists on Experience w/Various Sexual Outlets" Journ. of Sex Research 23 No. 2 p197-211,
  • Mary S. Calderone, M.D. (1981) in "The Family Book About Sexuality" ISBN 0397013779

External links

General Sites

Regional Sites

Categories: