The Generation Gap and the future of nudism

[NudonyII]

I posted this somewere else, thought I might get some interesting responses here.

I think it's interesting to think about the Generation Gap, and how it will shape the future of nudism.

In the 30's, nudism was a dynamic and calisthenic activity. People got together, got naked and exercised. This was a product of the industrial Revolution, with the alienation - from both the physical self and nature - that it created. In the 50/60's, nudism was reshaped by post-WW2 prosperity; it became "lighter", with nudist pageantry and group activities - extoling unadorned youth and beauty. In the 80/90's, a sort of nudist "farniente" came about, where relaxation and acceptance were proselytized; shaped by the civil right and anti-war movements of the 60/70's. Every generation with its own take on social nudity, shaped by its individual era.

Here are some adjectives associated with the different generations of our time:
Baby Boomers:
Obsessed with values - Crusading Causes - Confident, driven - Political correctness - They were raised to believe anything is possible
Generation Xers:
Questioning of authority figures - Cynical - Ethics and standards are situational - Informal approach
Nexters:
Achievement oriented - Very aware of the world - Respect for diversity - Very impatient - Goal is to have fun

Obviously these are generalizations - but they are generalizations with a scientific basis.

I'm a Gen Xer. As Baby Boomers "turn over the keys" to nudism to my generation, we will very likely take it in a different direction. My daughter's (Gen Zer) generation, who will have lived their entire life "connected", will likely have a completely different relationship to their physical nudity. How will this all play out? Will a more "enlightened" form of nudism emerge from the digital world? Will my generation bury social nudity with commercialism?

[sdson]

I posted this somewere else, thought I might get some interesting responses here.

I think it's interesting to think about the Generation Gap, and how it will shape the future of nudism.

In the 30's, nudism was a dynamic and calisthenic activity. People got together, got naked and exercised. This was a product of the industrial Revolution, with the alienation - from both the physical self and nature - that it created. In the 50/60's, nudism was reshaped by post-WW2 prosperity; it became "lighter", with nudist pageantry and group activities - extoling unadorned youth and beauty. In the 80/90's, a sort of nudist "farniente" came about, where relaxation and acceptance were proselytized; shaped by the civil right and anti-war movements of the 60/70's. Every generation with its own take on social nudity, shaped by its individual era.

Here are some adjectives associated with the different generations of our time:
Baby Boomers:
Obsessed with values - Crusading Causes - Confident, driven - Political correctness - They were raised to believe anything is possible
Generation Xers:
Questioning of authority figures - Cynical - Ethics and standards are situational - Informal approach
Nexters:
Achievement oriented - Very aware of the world - Respect for diversity - Very impatient - Goal is to have fun

Obviously these are generalizations - but they are generalizations with a scientific basis.

I'm a Gen Xer. As Baby Boomers "turn over the keys" to nudism to my generation, we will very likely take it in a different direction. My daughter's (Gen Zer) generation, who will have lived their entire life "connected", will likely have a completely different relationship to their physical nudity. How will this all play out? Will a more "enlightened" form of nudism emerge from the digital world? Will my generation bury social nudity with commercialism?

It will be interesting to see where social nudity goes in the future. My observations at Black's Beach in San Diego is that most of the people who play naked on the beach are 40+.

[LumpyPostage]

Industrial revolution? When you say '30s do you mean 1830s?

I think it's ridiculous to try and name every generation. And if "baby boomers" are between 1946 and 1964 then it's very possible for a mother and child to be of the same generation.

Aside from that, my 17-year-old nephew is very open to nudism. His mother, not so much. He prefers it when I take him out to nature because he can get naked and actually enjoy it naturally. He is definitely a different generation than I.

[dakref]

I have not conducted any surveys other than my own observation, but I think the future of nudism is in trouble. Visits to my "local" club means there is no one there under 45 or so and the nearest nude beach is close to being the same way. The generations behind me seem to have a serious shame and/or shyness thing going about nudity. Look at all the previous comments about behavior in a locker room. School kids no longer shower after gym or athletic events. Doesn't look good.

[squatch]

It will be interesting to see where social nudity goes in the future. My observations at Black's Beach in San Diego is that most of the people who play naked on the beach are 40+.

i spend time at gunnison beach and lighthouse beach, and while a majority of beach-goers may be 40+, there is a large, thriving population of under 40s, and even under 30s. i think that beach culture attracts a younger crowd while resort or club culture appeals to older folks.

i'm hitting 40, and have tried out a couple of resorts and campgrounds with my wife and frankly, other than the appeal of being nude, we're just not that into it. being nude is fun, but i guess we're just not that into being walled in at club/resort. i think people my age and younger see nude recreation as a really fun piece of their social life, not necessarily as a lifestyle.

[jasenj]

My personal, completely unscientific, opinion is that many (most?) people need to reach a certain age where they get over their vanity before embracing nudism. "Young" people - I'll say under 40, definitely under 30 - seem very concerned with looking good - or not looking bad. In other forums where nudity or nudism is mentioned people often respond with "nobody wants to see me naked". At some age you realize your "best" days are behind you and there's no point in even pretending to try to look "hot". You'll never look as good as a 25 year old. You have sags and wrinkles and so do all your friends. Then you can be comfortable in your skin.

Also there is the whole family dynamic. Once you have children, USA culture so equates nudity and sex that being a nudist with your children is pretty taboo. Once the kids are out of the house, then Mom and Dad can lose the clothes.

Certainly there are exceptions. I was one. I was a member of Lake Como and visited Playalinda quite often in my 20s. But I was single. The vast majority of members were 40+.

[usuallylurk]

NudonyII said -

I'm a Gen Xer. As Baby Boomers "turn over the keys" to nudism to my generation, we will very likely take it in a different direction. My daughter's (Gen Zer) generation, who will have lived their entire life "connected", will likely have a completely different relationship to their physical nudity. How will this all play out? Will a more "enlightened" form of nudism emerge from the digital world? Will my generation bury social nudity with commercialism?

The keys to nudism are on the table for the taking. In fact, you're encouraged to pick them up. BUT.... you have to do something about it.

It's rather odd. The Naturist Society conducts various Gatherings and Festivals. And, the crowd at those have been older. On this forum, someone complained "I saw the agenda for (the last) Eastover" -- and there was nothing for 20-30 somethings.

FINE. The Naturist Society Gatherings and Festivals have events. Many of the sessions are run by VOLUNTEERS who are attending the Festival/Gathering. The sessions you see on the agenda were planned and will be conducted by attendees.

So - do you want a Power Frisbee game session? GREAT. Call TNS. Tell them you're attending the event. You would like to volunteer to run an event. They'll accommodate you -- and you can go, and run the session. Think of two or three and add them.

"WHA....." "You mean PLAN them????" Uh, yeah, dude.

Don't worry, it's not just a Generation X situation. A lot of older people don't want to do anything, either. Running a nudist group takes some work - it can be a lot of fun, but there is work involved.

Our national group - AANR -- seems stuck in the mud on this situation. And as older people die out, or fade out of nudism, their membership numbers are dropping.

The solution = how about a new nudist organization -- not controlled by clubs -- organized by younger people but open to all -- and planning events geared to people OF ALL AGES???? It happened in 1980, it became known as The Naturist Society. Perhaps its time for a new group with a new focus.

Given the post-reorganization of AANR, it's going to be impossible to take over (it's structured toward clubs, the "direct members" now can't take it over) ...

But I would do one thing -- dig out what AANR (then called ASA) did 30 years ago to attract people -- and emulate that. It MIGHT work.

[Sanslines]

Young people are not interested in last century's ideas. Too many older people continue to live in the last century.

[NudonyII]

Ok...here is how I foresee the future of nudism. Obviously there will be some generalizations.

Starting with my generation, the "Xers." I think what my generation will do about nudism is pretty much ...nothing. In the post 9/11, post economic meltdown climate, I think the pervasive sentiment is "I have other things to worry about." Few, if any, great nudist leaders or role models will emerge from the Gen X populace. That doesn't mean current Gen X nudists are dropping out; it just means they are not "engaged" and just want to enjoy nudism as a strictly recreational activity.

Enter Generation Z. Kids that have never known a world without the internet and cell phones. I've watched my Gen Z daughter, as well as others her age, process information at a dizzying speed, jumping from one activity or one application to the next without any real commitment. There is a reason this generation has also been dubbed the "ADD Generation." This will invariably reshape the nudist landscape.
With sexting and blogging, I expect "virtual" nudity will actually grow as a form of self-expression; which hopefully will transcend exhibitionism and voyeurism. But the path I see nudism heading into is a sort of "pop nudism", which will be activity based group nudity based on a common interest - beyond nudity. "Nude book reading", "nude yoga", "naked bungee-jumping"; individual and independant social nudist outlets. It will be great for people who want to try specific activities nude. The drawback is that this fragmentation of nudism will leave little room for a "universal nudist philosophy." Since each subgroup will have its own culture, ethics and ideology, there will no longer be a need for a main or single nudist ideology. That will undoubtebly threaten the existence of AANR, which will have to completely redefine its message in order to remain relevant. And resorts will have to learn to cater to these new forms of activity based nudism, by offering and supporting them; or possibly face extinction.

Anyway, that's what my observations have shown me as a possibility. Obviously there's always room for a great nudist icon to come along and redefine nudism, or a world event that redefines how everyone perceives nudity.

[scrptman]

I think we are all kidding ourselves (or living in a constant state of denial) if we think recreational nudism will ever be anything more than a fringe social group which exists in a microcosm of society. That's what is was when it started and that's what it is now - there has been no significant change in general acceptance that I can see. Surely the landscape may change and the look and feel may alter with the times, but there will never be a global acceptance of nudism in such a way that most of us here would like to see. We are preaching to each other (i.e. the choir) here - try preaching nudism to a non-practitioner and see how it goes.

And the thought that you must reach a certain age before accepting the nudism idea is BS. I started in nudism at 12, with absolutely no outside influence to guide me, and later when old enough joined a landed club on my own...so it's an individual thing, not an age thing. There will always be just enough young people finding nudism to keep the movement alive, but not so much as to bring it into mainstream acceptance.

Now someone will likely jump in here and quote some statistics or bring up the old "what are you doing to change it" plea, and that's fine. It won't change the fact that our leading organization - and by extension the club owners - can do nothing to change the face of nudism as long as they cling to outdated principals such as admittance practices based on sex, quotas, marriage status and the like. Until our own community believes in non-sexualized nudity and actually practices it and promotes it, we are doomed to muddle along.

I would be happy to be proven wrong, but I won't hold my breath.