Being a positive role model

[walter05]

I have posed the question as to whether or not nudity in communal showers and restrooms may be beneficial. I raised the question as to whether or not this helps young males with their gender identity and growing into confident successful men.

There have been enough posts to lend me to believe this could be. I want to raise the question of how we can be positive role models.

I believe this includes:

1) Not smoking.

2) Moderate drinking of alcohol.

3) Taking care of our bodies.

4) Being honest and reliable.

5) Being Responsible.

6) Being considerate of others.

7) Being responsible for others.

If we want the younger males to emulate us and develop into mature adults, then we should be positive role models. I want to discuss how we can be so.

[walter05]

I have posed the question as to whether or not nudity in communal showers and restrooms may be beneficial. I raised the question as to whether or not this helps young males with their gender identity and growing into confident successful men.

There have been enough posts to lend me to believe this could be. I want to raise the question of how we can be positive role models.

I believe this includes:

1) Not smoking.

2) Moderate drinking of alcohol.

3) Taking care of our bodies.

4) Being honest and reliable.

5) Being Responsible.

6) Being considerate of others.

7) Being responsible for others.

If we want the younger males to emulate us and develop into mature adults, then we should be positive role models. I want to discuss how we can be so.

[luvnaturism]

Unless you're a movie hero or athletic superstar you have to actually be in kids' lives before you become a role model. No kid is just going to see you walk down the street and say, "I want to be like that."

Parents and teachers are automatically role models for better or worse. The rest of us first have to find a way to be involved with kids. Once we do that your list comes into play. It's a good list, but nothing trumps just being there.

[walter05]

There are some role models that have greater influence. However, everyone is a role model.

If you are saying that casually being in a room with one other person will have little effect, clothed or not, I agree.

However, young people are particularly sensitive to wanting to fit in. If a young person sees adults regularly conducting themselves in certain ways, that will have an effect.

Walter

Walter

[Baron Lake]

They want to "fit in" with their more persuasive peers not the stodgy 'rents. Teenagers especially know how stupid adults are. It is only as they grow older, and their parents get smarter...
OK it's a generalization, but one with substantial example. I certainly agree with you Walter on the importance of good adult role models. I think we have to accept, however, there may be some delay in realizing the benefits of good example.
They are not in any case "small adults". Thank goodness. In some respects they offer good example to adults. I certainly never plan to grow up!
b.l.

[johny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Parents and teachers are automatically role models </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
RE: Luvnaturism ""Parents and teachers are automatically role models""

Somewhere I read the teachers ought be a best samples for pupil, but if that is completely impossible then at lest them should be a horrorous samples to learn something from.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[David77]

Of course, in an attempt to be the most influential, you must first establish a good (psychological) relationship with a person.

[Wiggle It]

Good ideas and good comments, but maybe one of the most important factors is spending time with them (parent-child relationship, I mean).
Too many don't spend much time, quality or quantity wise, with their kids.
You could do all the things on Walter's list, but if you don't develop a relationship with them through giving your time, it could all end up fruitless.

[LamontCranston]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I want to raise the question of how we can be positive role models. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> Listen.

Do what you say.

Listen.

Be a parent, not a buddy.

Listen.

Set boundaries and keep them when tested.

Listen.

Let people be different than you.

And listen.

[walter05]

I think there may be some misunderstanding of what I am attempting to ask.

Obviously, no one can have a major impact by a single casual encounter.

However, if enough people present positive images that a young person can emulate, does it have a positive impact. Would the young person model conciously or unconciously on that person.

If the answer is yes, then places where the young person can better identify would seem beneficial. In settings such as communal showers, locker rooms, etc. does the nudity help with this identification. I think it might.

If it might, then do we have more of a responsibility to set the good example if we are going to present ourselves in this way.

I think the answer may be yes.

The question is do you believe this type of nudity means we have more of a responsibility to set that good example.

P.S. I just came back from the opthalmologist. My eyes are dilated. I am typing from memory. If there are spelling errors, etc. please forigive me.

[WacoTX]

We have an obligation to set a good example 24/7.

[Baron Lake]

Hold on a minute Waco. 24/7? Can I wait till after this weekend? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

I think you have brought up a very good point; we "shining examples" do tend to be a bit arbitrary and inconsistent in our admonitions and behavior.

That little problem may be because so much of what we as a species believe is based upon myth, superstition and the most current urban legend.

Not, of course, that you would find much evidence of anything like that on this forum.

b.l.

[luvnaturism]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LamontCranston:

Listen.

Do what you say.

Listen.

Be a parent, not a buddy.

Listen.

Set boundaries and keep them when tested.

Listen.

Let people be different than you.

And listen. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I like it. Well said.

[DoctorSurferDude]

8) Teach them to not objectify women, but rather to see women as equals worthy of equal respect.

[walter05]

Since I am being politically incorrect, I want to go ahead and do so.

If we say that nude recreation is okay, because the body is bearutiful. That is nice. If it means that we are going to honor or accept the body as good.

If that means smoking and eating ourselves to obesity and then putting our naked bodies on display and saying, we accept our bodies, I think that is wrong.

If we are comfortable enough with our bodies to be nude, we ought to take responsibility for our bodies as wells as our minds and souls. This means that we should try to take care of our bodies.

I am not calling for pointing fingers at any one or making them feel inadequate. I am talking about each of us pointing a finger at ourselves. We should be attempting to make ourselves as healthy, mentally acute, and of good character as possible.

I do believe that if we can be nude and accept our bodies and take responisibility, this could be wonderful.

I also believe that lounging around nude, obese, and smoking a cigarette accomplishes nothing. Inmy opinion this person has more problems with body image than a fit person that never does anything nude except bathe privately at home.

[krcNY]

As a person...if you take care of yourself - you usually take of things in your life (job, home, car etc) in the same manner.

If you tend to slack off on your yourself - the same goes for your life, you will slack of there as well.

Kids need to follow through and take care of themselves, not just grooming but physcially and mentally. They need to see us doing the same and they will follow...even if they do not think they are. Somehow they will end up responsible, respectable and reliable without us having to remind them of it.

And yes...respecting women is very important. Kids typically end up in the same type of relationship they see their parents are in. Role Modeling needs to start at home with the basics - treat others as you would like to be treated.

[Nude in the North]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I also believe that lounging around nude, obese, and smoking a cigarette accomplishes nothing. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think Lounging around nude, Skinny, and eating Health food accomplishes much either.

But everyone deserves a little time to lounge around, no matter what.

Steve

[Stu2630]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I also believe that lounging around nude, obese, and smoking a cigarette accomplishes nothing. Inmy opinion this person has more problems with body image than a fit person that never does anything nude except bathe privately at home. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I may add a couple of thoughts to this thread.

As an outsider who has been on the periphery of nudism for some time, I confess I am still unclear about what exactly nudism is all about. Is it a recreational passtime - something you do for pleasure? If so, is it essential that it has a social role, or can it be practised alone? Or is it a complete way of life - based upon some philosophical standpoint or ideology that all nudists adhere to? I have encountered both of these schools of thought here, plus many people who fall somewhere between the two.

If nudism is simply a recreational activity, then why nudists should necessarily bother trying to be role-models? Your only responsibility is to enjoy your nudism while causing as little angst as possible to others. Exponents of other passtimes, e.g. golfers, divers, amateur dramatists etc, don't see themselves as role-models beyond their own sphere of interest. Even if nudism is a lifestyle then, I would contend, there is still no onus upon nudists to see themselves as role-models - UNLESS they have designs to expand and extend their influence into other domains of life.

On the one hand, nudists are telling the world that everyone is welcome, be they thin or fat, fit or flabby. Yet now some nudists seem to think it is encumbent upon them to set some sort of example to the wider society.

I don't believe you have any such obligation. Just go and enjoy what you do. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Stu

[LamontCranston]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have encountered both of these schools of thought here, plus many people who fall somewhere between the two. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> And there's your answer. Folks are different.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Just go and enjoy what you do. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> Thanks Stu, and you do the same. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif

You know, "as an outsider who has been on the periphery of nudism for some time.." Why don't you try it?

[missouriboy]

It doesn't take very long for kids to recognize and resent any adult M.O. of "do as I say, not as I do." So if you want to be a good influence on kids, try to avoid acting like that.

[walter05]

First of all, I have to admit that I am also on the periphery attempting to learn. Therefore, it is unfair to call me a nudist so don't judge nudists by me.

I was hoping that nude recreation could have a more important purpose.

Stu2630, you may a good point. If the idea is to simply enjoy being nude, then all who want should simply enjoy without anything else from it.

If the idea however is to use the experience to help grow in self-acceptance and value of the body, then what does this mean. If so, then perhaps we have a responsibilty to help each other grow and that is where the role model question comes in.

I guess I will not be a nudist that will be interested in just being nude for the fun of it. That may be fine for others but not for me.

I may be finding out that I will not be a nudist per say.

However, I do want my nude recreation to help me grow.

LamontCranston, I guess I don't want to just try it unless I think I will grow as a man and person.

missouriboy. Your thoughts are closer to mine. I don't want to walk around and lecture. However, if young men and older boys see that adult men take care of themselves, it might be the silent role model of doing and not saying.

Maybe I am not casual enough of a person for nude recreation.

Walter05

[NudeAl]

Nudism is just a hobby for me. I have met some wonderful people and been to some very interesting places. I've had some great adventures.

As to the role model thing. I am a role model for my kids, that is the most important thing to me. I include nudism as a portion of who I am but I don't give it more importance than I feel it is due. It did not make me a better person, it did help me to relax and feel better but that's pretty much it. Nice hobby good way to relax and feel free not a life altering experience, though I'm sure for some it is that way.

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I guess I will not be a nudist that will be interested in just being nude for the fun of it. That may be fine for others but not for me.

I may be finding out that I will not be a nudist per say. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Walter05, of course you'll be a nudist. Sounds like you want to be something of an activist, as well as a passive-enjoyment type nudist, and there's nothing wrong with that. Every avocation has its leaders and its followers, and the leaders are few and far between. Being a leader is commendable, but don't let it ruin the fun side for you.

Consider contacting the NEF (Naturist Education Foundation) to see if they have some guidelines along this line. There may also be some need for volunteers that would help you satisfy your desire for leadership.

Kudos to you! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif