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See also Naturism for comparison. Nudism is the practice of going nude 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 naked in public is illegal, but enjoys widespread acceptance in other areas of the world. Those who practice nudism are called nudists or naturists.

In Europe, and particularly in France, "nudist" and "naturist" don't have the same signification; nudism is the simple pratice of nudity in public, mainly on the beach, while Naturism is much more (such as common activities) and often implies a philosophical or ethical basis. Naturists don't always want to be called nudists.

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.

Activities can be indoors and outdoors. Typical activities are relaxation, sunbathing and sports, 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 sex party) may be public (e.g. Starkers Nightclub) or private. For those who choose to live permanently with other nudists, see nudist colony.

Bredene naturist beach in Belgium
File:Praia Tambaba-Joao-Pessoa-Paraiba.jpg
Tambaba: naturist beach in Brazil

General

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.

Conversely, the naturist 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 exhibitionism. 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. Sunlight has been shown to be beneficial in some skin conditions and is required by the body to make vitamin D. However, with the increased awareness of skin cancer, wearing of sunblock/sun protection lotions 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 mind 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 law to serve as rules of etiquette. 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; skinny dipping).

Strong nudist movements exist in Germany (called FKK or Freikörperkultur - Free Body Culture), France and the Netherlands, 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.

Association with sex

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

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

The possibility of spontaneous erection is a concern often cited by men who are apprehensive of nudism, but nudists do not generally consider this to be a reason for avoiding their sites and activities. Erections are rare because the nudist environment is non-sexual. Some nudists suggest that fear of getting an erection is itself a factor that can prevent spontaneous erections. Should an erection occur, the gentleman would cover up, go swimming, or take a shower until it subsides.

Involvement in naturism has not been shown to be harmful childhood psychological development.

Of course parents always need to be vigilant to guard their children from sexual predators. This applies equally to naturists as it does for non-naturists.

Manners

Nudists will wear clothes if the weather demands it. Naturists generally consider themselves to be accepting people, the general idea being simply doing things nude that one would normally do clothed. However, the traditional nudist culture has its own rules of etiquette.

Some Nudists consider it essential to sit on a towel whenever sitting on a chair, bench, or anything else where others might sit, and they consider it very poor etiquette to do otherwise. Likewise, sitting on someone else's towel is also a breach of etiquette. For privacy reasons, there is a prohibition on photography without consent at the majority of nudist venues. Other rules may include a prohibition on pets, weapons, loud music, etc. These policies vary between nudist sites, and nudists recommend that new visitors make themselves aware of the specific rules prior to a visit.

Some nudist organizations do not allow people with body piercings on their premises. (Presumably this rule refers to the foreign objects in the piercings, not to the piercings themselves.) Most, however, accept people of all sizes, shapes and types including those with surgical scars, tattoos or interestingly trimmed (or absence of) hair. Recently some nudist organisations have expressed a preference for members to completely shave or remove all pubic hair as some believe that having pubic hair does not leave that body completety nude. But this is usually left to the members to decide and facial and head hair are acceptable. Many nudist organizations do not allow unaccompanied men,, whereas most nudist organizations not only allow but encourage unaccompanied women to join them. Whether this is hypocritical of a subculture which promotes acceptance is a topic often debated. Some nudist organizations, to avoid discriminating based on gender, enforce a policy of gender balance, meaning that they will allow neither a high male-to-female ratio nor a high female-to-male ratio.

Some nudist resorts, clubs, or beaches have the "undress code" of requiring full nudity at all times (with exceptions, such as when a woman is experiencing menstruation, or certain days/hours for new visitors and cold weather). Most have this policy only for the swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, hot tub bath, etc., with clothing optional elsewhere. Recently, to avoid any possible litigation, some privately owned resorts and clubs in the USA forbid bringing any minor children from other families without written permission in advance. A few even exclude children of divorced parents without the written consent of the other ex-spouse (unless they can prove full custody). Of course, this does not apply to public beaches. If a visitor encourages another visitor to be nude, this may give rise to suspicion that nudity is desired for visual satisfaction, which may be considered inappropriate.

Many nudists feel it is inappropriate for males to openly display a spontaneous erection. However, some believe it should be included as a part of "body acceptance" — a key philosophy of nudists. This has been the subject of endless debate on nudist/naturist Internet forums. If an erection does occur, nudists recommend covering up with a towel, turning over (if lying down), sitting down, going for a swim, or otherwise minimizing the erection's presence until the penis is no longer erect. For some activities (e.g. water skiing or dancing) this may not be immediately practical or even possible, and typical nudist etiquette suggests it then be ignored by everyone. Public nude beaches tend to be less strict on this issue than private nudist resorts and adult only Progressive Nudism clubs would not be bothered at all. Also, nudists are generally more tolerant of spontaneous erection in pre and post-pubescent boys than in older teens and men.

Sexual stimulation whether direct or indirect is not acceptable, masturbation in public or in the view of others usually strictly forbibben. The direct touching, massaging of another's genitals which could cause sexual stimulation is also usually strictly forbidden. It is usually acceptable to apply suntan lotion to another's body including woman's breasts and buttocks as long as the intent is not of any sexual gratifaction. Organised sexual activity does occur at some private nudist establishments, but mainstream organisations tend to distance themselves from these establishments. Usually established registered clubs have very strict codes of conduct, values and decency.

Nudist terminology

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 nudist facility usually insists on complete nudity where practicable (to ensure that no one feels inappropriately dressed). Topfree refers to the state of leaving female 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. 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)

History of nudism

See clothes free movement

Politics

The Sex Party of British Columbia (Canada) would pass legislation requiring all public parks and beaches larger than one hectare to designate areas reserved for nudists.

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 Links

Regional Sites

  • NudeCanadian.com - a Canadian Based, Supportive, Informative, Non-Sexual set of Resources Including Very Active Forums
  • Bare Britain - nude beaches in the UK and Ireland
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