Public nudity and tolerance

[Gary Naturist]

[Gary Naturist]

Compared to 5-10 years ago, do you think that the average person (ignore the police) is more tolerant of public nudity, or less tolerant?

Assume that we're talking about seeing a neighbor nude in his/her back yare, or at the far end of a public beach, or on a bicycle on a country road.

[nudeM]

Living here on the "left" coast, mere nudity in the backyard seems to be more tolerant. I guess it can be said just about anywhere else, to an extent, so as long there are no wild parties going on, such as my past neighbor probably thought. Nice poll. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[steve-o]

I live in San Fransicco so my opinion would bend the curve for sure. (Though we're always hoping for even more toerance than we already enjoy)

http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
--s

[FireProf]

Using the example you used in the poll, I voted much more tolerant.

Our first brush with being seen naked in our backyard by a neighbor was favorable but never talked about, discussed in detail or even kidded about.

Since moving to our current home, we've been seen many, many times by neighbors on both sides and from across the street. A few have kidded us about it, some have even talked to us about it....in general terms, nothing in depth yet. So I do think that with all the print ads, the media exposure, personal exposure such as stated, public nudity is tolerated more than it used to be.

Plus, our kids are much more open minded about this stuff than we were or our parents were. That helps with tolerance but I don't think this opened mindedness as won them over to becoming nudist just yet. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[BackpackerBrian]

I think in general it is more tolerant. However I also think much of that tolerance is based upon the notion that nudity equals excitement.

As society has become addicted to excitement, and lost much of the appreciation for simplicity, nudity has to be exciting as well. That may be why events such as Bare to Breakers and the nude bike rides are tolerated. These events are seen as a way of breaking the rules, which in itself adds a level of excitement.

Conversely, the decline in younger naturists may show that simple nudity found at clubs and resorts (places like Caliente and Hedonism notwithstanding) is in itself losing favor.

[FireProf]

Brian,

You state some really good points here. I wonder if the demographics of nudism as we know it, will always be this way and youngsters raised as nudists that become textiles, for various reasons, will only return when they are much older. Like my daughters, they support us, respect us, think it's great we're nudists but even when they were being raised as such, opted out when they reached teen years.

Wonder if in the future, they'll return? http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[jon71]

On most social issues there is a gradual move towards greater freedom and liberty. Basically a slow move to the left over time.

[GAR]

In Utah nudity is looked down on. It is a no no.So we have to go to fed land for a family outing. Gar http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[David77]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">On most social issues there is a gradual move towards greater freedom and liberty. Basically a slow move to the left over time. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I suspect that nudity on cable TV, in stage plays and in movies has conditioned many persons to accept nudity more now than ten years ago.

[Ben_m]

Everything I remember suggests "much less tolerant" and progressively becoming more and more so. Many years ago showing human figure-based artworks to school-aged children was considered "education". Showers after fitness classes were required (or your grade suffered greatly - I should know, I used to refuse). It was easier to find out of the way places before too many of those places became more populated/frequented and it was considered "harmless", if not nearly expected to skinny-dip and such in those places. The general attitude has seemed to change from a time when nude swimming (even/including at "public" and/or school pools), at least among the boys, was considered little more than a right-of-passage and/or harmless fun time. Now it's frowned upon, if not outright banned by many organizations - the same ones that would have thought little of it earlier. From everything I can see times have changed. It does seem like the sexualized human body is spoon-fed to us much more consistently and frequently, but the simple, innocent, child-like pleasant (nude) image is almost becoming a ghost of the past. I think the world (at least the tiny bit of the world that I know best, the one that surrounds me) needs us naturists as reminders rather desperately.

Sad, but just the way I see it,

[NudeDen]

I believe that it is in some ways more accepted and in others it's much less. Like the nude swims at the Y that i've read about which doesn't happen anymore(I think it hase to do with it being co-ed now) and is strictly prohibited. The allowance of ppl to hike nude on federal land or offically recognizing some nude beaches. But over all i would agree that some of the tolerance is because of the excitement or the taboo of it. But hey it's somewhat progress, a step in the right direction. With a little education of the public it might become more accepted for the right reasons.

[Ben_m]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But over all i would agree that some of the tolerance is because of the excitement or the taboo of it. But hey it's somewhat progress, a step in the right direction. With a little education of the public it might become more accepted for the right reasons. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. I think this "sexualization/excitement of nudity" is actually a part of why the more innocent variety is progressively less accepted. I think the two are connected and one is a vehicle to detract from the other. Nudity and sex become and perhaps have already become so interconnected in the minds of many that they simply cannot even imagine anything else any longer. The qualities of child-like innocence and simple beauty in the human form are concepts that in too many cases seem to be getting lost and even when presented becoming something that is reacted to with misunderstanding and confusion.

[barbararuth]

I see tolerance or acceptance of public nudity to be influenced by who you are talking about.

For example, I work for a major theme park in the Orlando area and the subject of nudism is totally taboo. My ex-fiancee is a real estate attorney and is involved with high level corporate entertainment and socialite-related fundraising, etc.. and a nudist lifestyle is not even in their vocabulary! I am sure that there more conservative parts of the country that are just simply less tolerant to nudism than others parts.

Here in Central Florida, even though this is still considered the "Bible Belt", there is a greater awareness of nudism through the shear numbers of nudist resorts and a couple of beaches. To most that I have heard from, there is a high level of tolerance.. so long as it is restricted to those locations. I believe that public nudity outside those boundaries is less tolerated and is disrespectful.

Around my house, my neighbors on both sides know I am a nudist and I am never clothed either working in my yard or relaxing in my pool. So far, no complaints!

Barbararuth..Sorry to here your fiancee is now your ex..I hope your love of Naturism was not the cause..He sounds like a Jerk when it comes to priorities

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by barbararuth:
I see tolerance or acceptance of public nudity to be influenced by who you are talking about.

My ex-fiancee is a real estate attorney and is involved with high level corporate entertainment and socialite-related fundraising, etc.. and a nudist lifestyle is not even in their vocabulary! ,! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Naturist4Ever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">He sounds like a Jerk when it comes to priorities </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wooha, how did you get to that conclusion, all BR said was that nudism was not even in their (= not his, but the clients of her ex-fiancee) vocabulary.

Just because nudism isn't someone's thing, he/she is a jerk? Are all those 'unwilling spouses' jerks?, just because nudism isn't their thing?

My local impression is less tolerant towards 'social' nudity (that there is nudity everywhere on TV/mocies etc, and that mags are full about nudeity/sex etc is irrelevant). The early eighties was a period of much liberation and for example topfree sunbathing was the norm for every woman. Now, topfree is simply 'not done', and those that like to go topfree go to the nudebeaches instead. We had several parks were people sunbathed topfree, this has completely disappeared, and don't even try it!

These days, pubic shaving seems THE subject. Youth, for example, is very much fascinated by it. Bring up the subject of social nudity and they are most likely to consider you as a weirdo, but bring up shaving and they want to know all. See also some comments on the topic whether youth takes on nudism more easily (to which I comment that it is not true).

[Nu]

At this point, I am with the majority opinion.

I think we live in a more permissive society now.

Nudity is more a part of movies and television now than in prior decades.

Even amongst the textiles; we see more bare midriffs, low cut pants at the back,underwear waistbands in sight, etc.
(maybe they are really slowing coming over to our side!!!?)

In the context of the question- nude at the far end of a beach, cycling on a country road etc; these are not common sights; people will be surprised to see these sights; yet I do not see them being upset. There is nothing threatening.

Gary has continuously "pushed the envelope" with his own actions (as he has identified on other threads).
Kudos to you. Hope all continues well for you.

Hey, ODB, I think that picture is almost big enough. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[nakednudists]

I voted for more tolearant these days than the previous years. I feel that alot of the acceptance is coming from the sexual explosion that the country seems to be going through. For example, when avertising sports, they tie in a couple of sexy chicks with the ladies wearing the team jersey. Or, a good example is WWE(World Wrestling Entertainment...I know this isn't really a sport)where they have almost naked women walking around with nothing on butt a string and two band-aids strategically placed to draw in more publicity. Or there is nothing more sexier than a woman in a magazine add, half naked, and blowing smoke out of her nose. http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif My point being is that society is more acceptable of public nudity because they see it all over the tv, newspaper, etc. For many, it is not that big of a deal anymore. Compare a bathing suit from 2005 versus one from 1975.

[DeathKnight]

The content of TV shows is making people somewhat more tolerant of nudity but since it is done in a sexual context, it's also working against the movement.