Re: Nudism as a subculture

Doug H · #1 01-09-2002, 06:25 AM

It is certainly odd that the nudist lifestyle needs to be "organized" in the US. I think it is more of a statement of how conservative (less from religion and more from safety issues nowadays) American society is. Nudist beaches and city park areas are so common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandanavia that many of the patrons would probably laugh to be called 'nudists'. To them, it's simply something else to do.

Doug H · #2 01-09-2002, 06:25 AM

It is certainly odd that the nudist lifestyle needs to be "organized" in the US. I think it is more of a statement of how conservative (less from religion and more from safety issues nowadays) American society is. Nudist beaches and city park areas are so common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandanavia that many of the patrons would probably laugh to be called 'nudists'. To them, it's simply something else to do.

florida-david · #3 03-01-2003, 07:39 PM

simple nudity is natural in humans, its when society forces the young to be shamed into wearing textile that the natural system goes wrong. case in point

my 6 year old son ALWAYS swims naked at home. we just had a big house party with about 30 kids of all different ages (3 to 18) and about 50 adults over. though the pool was cold, the kids under 12 went swimming. my son was the lone nudist. i asked him later how he felt about this and he did not care that he was the lone nudist. will society eventually force it's textile views on him to the point that he is clothed next time? his 6 year old friends (of which two were at the party and they are used to him naked in the pool)are too young to care. so for now, i enjoy his youth and innocence. one young girl at the party was initially

, and than she got over it. my 17 year old helper is now used to it. a mother at the party quietly expressed her personal fears as a youngster of seeing naked people (i think her fear has transferred over to her three young boys) but now she is ok with it with our little naked man.

i am happy he enjoys being naked and does not notice society's pressure to get clothed. i will be sad the day he loses his innocence and gives into societies nasty fears (hopefully he will still feel comfortable naked with the family as my nine year old son does)......

**Bob S.** · #4 03-01-2003, 09:37 PM

We do not "focus on being exposed" but rather focus on being with others who do not mind that we are naked nor mind being naked themselves. The subculture is about finding and being with others who share a common lifestyle or recreation as you.

You would not be saying the same thing about doll collectors, dog/cat fanciers, or even religious people. They gather together to talk about and possibly showcase their similar interests. That's what nudists/natuirists do. We need places to find others who think like we do. It is the human condition that we find friendships and acquaintances who share common interests with us.

Bob S.

Suntied · #5 03-02-2003, 12:26 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Bob S.:
[qb]We do not "focus on being exposed" but rather focus on being with others who do not mind that we are naked[/qb]

I agree Bob, but... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
To me, my nudism is more than just a hobby or some ritual that takes place on sunday. I feel compelled to be naked to keep my sanity. It is not just something I do when I can, but must do when I can. That may seem a bit serious, but I didn't come out of the nusist closet as a guy who wants to be naked, I came out as a man that must be naked!!!... and finding the ones that tell me I can't to be a burden to my way of life, not visa-versa. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Subculture my a _ _!!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

NUDITy ruLES!!!
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] Suntied... Bart

Trailscout · #6 03-02-2003, 07:12 AM

Nudism exists as a subculture in America, in Europe, and perhaps a few other countries.

But I have also met people who would swim nude in mixed company at a nude beach if the opportunity came up, but otherwise live lives that are indistinguishable from any other non-nudist life.

There are also a few tribal groups in the tropical parts of the world where living in total nudity was or is a facet of their culture.

I think that nudists are not quite a distinct tribal group, but much more than simply a random gathering of people who are eager to socialize without clothing.

We are people largely gathered from mainstream society who have reached an epiphany or moment of enlightenment about the desirability of living life in our natural state. Nudity is merely the condition that results from living out the underlying tenets of Nudism. The nudist philosophy varies, but we seem to have in common a doctrine that affirms the decency and beauty of the unclothed human body. For people who found themselves to be nudists in a society that is mildly hostile to social nudity, it is not surprising that a nudist subculture emerged. One of the ironies of nudism is that a conscious decision to be a part of a society where we do not hide our bodies, fosters the diminishment of body-consciousness. Gone is the male obsession with hidden female private parts. Young females regularly see the bodies of normal women accepted as is. They are less likely to attempt to emulate the less-attainable figures of film stars and fashion models. Our lack of clothing tends to blur or erase social class distinctions. Our need for protection from predators and those hostile to our lifestyle brought us together on a regular basis and friendships formed, a sense of community developed. Children growing up in the lifestyle often remained in nudist society.

Nudist culture is far from perfect. Attrition and the lack of new practitioners endanger it. We lose far too many of our children to peer pressure and the media. Too many resorts are expensive enclaves for married couples only. They have not done enough to attract young singles.

Nudist culture needs to return to its populist roots. It needs to be accessible to the masses again and it needs to work hard to counter the misperceptions about social nudity.

People who visit nude beaches are doing some good simply by being there, but I do not believe that the right to casually visit a nude beach will survive if there is not also a strong thriving community of nudists who are practicing nudity at home, and who are getting involved politically and socially.

RIVERRAT · #7 03-02-2003, 05:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Suntied:
[qb]
quote:
Originally posted by Bob S.:
[qb]We do not "focus on being exposed" but rather focus on being with others who do not mind that we are naked[/qb]
I agree Bob, but... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
To me, my nudism is more than just a hobby or some ritual that takes place on sunday. I feel compelled to be naked to keep my sanity. It is not just something I do when I can, but must do when I can. That may seem a bit serious, but I didn't come out of the nusist closet as a guy who wants to be naked, I came out as a man that must be naked!!!... and finding the ones that tell me I can't to be a burden to my way of life, not visa-versa. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Subculture my a _ _!!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

NUDITy ruLES!!!
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] Suntied... Bart[/qb]

suntied, you are absolutely right, it's to bad that laws and local ordancses make it wrong, nudity is not bad, it's the minds of the people who find shame in there bodies, I to am nude when ever I can be and sometimes push the envelope, we should not be ashamed of GODS gift, too bad our society won't except that.

**Bob S.** · #8 03-02-2003, 05:26 PM

Suntied, I did not mean to imply that nudism was a hobby. Heck all you have to do is read some of my diatribes on this board to see that nudism is more than just something to do for me too. It is a way of life, a philisophy, a part of who I am.

However, nudism is a subculture. Being naked is not. Since being naked in public is not legal as of yet, places have been created to be naked. And it is in these places that the people gather who, as Rik stated "have reached an epiphany" can go to without fear of legal action. The nudist culture is a subculture of mainstream society.

Whether those who practice nudism do so because they feel it is a relaxing pasttime or have made it into their life is irrelevent. The only thing that matters is that we all enjoy being naked.

Bob S.

Suntied · #9 03-04-2003, 02:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Trailscout:
[qb]Nudism exists as a subculture in America...
...and who are getting involved politically and socially.[/qb]

What you are saying Trailscout, is that we as naturist/nudist need to be more involved in making the naked body more acceptable.

I agree, yet the simple fact is... we need more of us to be more active instead of just courious.

Originally posted by Riverrat: it's to bad that laws and local ordancses make it wrong.

Exactly my point. How do we change the laws and ordinences to make it right. Those law makers are a burden to my nudity!

Originally posted by Bob_S
However, nudism is a subculture. Being naked is not

I guess I'm not up to speed on the difference. I love being naked, and you are saying that I am part of a subculture? Cool... I like subs. (ha ha)

Lighten up you guys!!! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Nudity Rules!!!
[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] Suntied [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Trailscout · #10 03-04-2003, 06:06 PM

Yes, that's my point exactly. We should fight to change the laws, but it is more important to win the hearts of the people over to the idea that nudity is harmless and even a good thing in most cases.
Back in the 70's in California, people decided by the thousands to be nude on the beaches near Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego.

These people were not all lifestyle nudists. Some were hippies or flower children who believed that skinnydipping brought them closer to nature, some were people who just thought it would be fun and daring to go skinnydipping, some on those beaches were nudists who finally felt that it was safe to be nude outside their homes and nudist resorts.

Despite the great showing of nude people on the beaches, society at large in California was not ready to accept public nudity. The battle went to the courts. The skinnydippers were just being their natural selves; the court battles were forced on them. Some battles we lost; some we won.

If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that we must do both: show up nude on the beaches in big numbers and be vigilent in the courts to protect our rights.