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A woman on a horse
Bredene naturist beach in Belgium.
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.

Terminology

Naturists and nudists sometimes refer to people who do not practice nudity as textiles. Clothing optional or C.O. usually refers to a facility that allows and encourages nudity but tolerates the wearing of clothes, whereas a naturist or nudist facility usually insists on complete nudity where practicable (to ensure that no one feels inappropriately dressed). Topfree refers to the state of leaving chest and breasts uncovered, or to an area that allows uncovered female breasts (this term is generally preferred to "topless", which has a negative connotation in some parts of the world). A free beach is not so much one without an admission cost, but one in which people can be entirely free of their clothes. A landed organization is one that owns the real estate it is situated on. The term nudist colony is no longer a favorable term. Non-landed or travel clubs meet regularly at different locations such as nudist resorts, bowling alleys, or swimming pools rented for the purpose. A smoothie is a person who shaves off much of his/her body hair. (See acomoclitism). In Germany the general movement is sometimes also referred to as Freikörperkultur (FKK), which translates as Free Body Culture.

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

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