Whose family is nudist?

Dude in Nor Cal · #1 08-06-2002, 05:47 PM

I'm curious, who out there comes from a naturist background in their house, and how many of you are like me, who came into it on your own? I've noticed in previous replies that people our age who don't come from body acceptance-oriented families usually don't know too many other naturists and haven't really been around to the different clothing-optional destinations.

I have a hypothesis that those of you who picked up naturism from youe parents and practiced it with your siblings probably have a lot more naturist friends your age, and have a lot easier time separating nudity from sex from those of us who were raised to connect the two.

Also, probably because my parents aren't naturists, it used to be a bit wierd for me to see older people naked, although people my own age or kids don't bother me in the slightest. I got better about that, though. This is partly because there don't seem to be many young people at nude beaches or anything. They also seem to be at least 70% male. Anybody have any ideas as to why this is?

Dude in Nor Cal · #2 08-06-2002, 05:47 PM

I'm curious, who out there comes from a naturist background in their house, and how many of you are like me, who came into it on your own? I've noticed in previous replies that people our age who don't come from body acceptance-oriented families usually don't know too many other naturists and haven't really been around to the different clothing-optional destinations.

I have a hypothesis that those of you who picked up naturism from youe parents and practiced it with your siblings probably have a lot more naturist friends your age, and have a lot easier time separating nudity from sex from those of us who were raised to connect the two.

Also, probably because my parents aren't naturists, it used to be a bit wierd for me to see older people naked, although people my own age or kids don't bother me in the slightest. I got better about that, though. This is partly because there don't seem to be many young people at nude beaches or anything. They also seem to be at least 70% male. Anybody have any ideas as to why this is?

#3 08-06-2002, 08:53 PM

I not am not from a nudist family and like you I haven't made friends with other naturists and have had to limit my visits to CO beaches to going solo.I think one reason for mostly older folks is that these people grew up during the 60s "Hippie Era"When nudity and openess were in....Woodstock ...Free beaches etc....also streaking in the early 70s were glorified on newscasts. This group hopes to maintain that feeling of freedom minus the drugs and free sex.I could be wrong,but I think the reason there aren't more young men is ,as you say separating sex from naturism in your thoughts when removing your clothes when you are young without a sexual partner is difficult.Concealing desires for voyuerism and exhibitionism combined with the sensitivity of young bodies can result in spontaneous erections causing shame and embarassment.I think this is also why some naturist resorts ban or discriminate against males alone.I feel that is the reason I will have to continue to enjoy the excitement and freedom of naturism in secluded scenic locations on my own.

**Bob S.** · #4 08-07-2002, 02:41 AM

I am a nudist who grew up in a non-nudist household. We weren't a body-phobic family, but the thought of being naked around each other after a certain age was not even considered.

I am undoubtedly the only nudist in my family and I have had these nudist thoughts for as long as I can remember, I just could never do anything about them except in privacy. And believing in the nudsit ideals combined with my lack of worry about sex, I never thought that nudity = sex. For me, everything was separate and had its own place.

As such, I never had any friends who were nudists that I knew of nor did I even know about the term nudist until high school. It is only now, after having attended a nudist park that I have met others who share my beliefs about nudism.

As for the demographics, all beaches (and resorts) have their own personality and regulars. I'm sure there are some beaches which are attended by a more youthful crowd, but as I don't really care much for beaches, I don't have any stats on that.

And men seem socially to have an easier time convincing themselves that nudity amongst others is acceptable. Women have been tought from an early age to be modest and keep their clothes on. And think of it, men can remove their shirts and have been allowed to for about the past century. Women still cannot take their shirts off either legally or socially.

Bob S.

Naked Bob 2 · #5 08-07-2002, 03:34 AM

Okay here is another question in response.

I am a naturist, I have been for almost 12 years now. When my kids wre younger I would take them to nude beaches and resorts and stuff. They were around 8 at the time. Then around the time that puberty hit they suddenly got the idea that nudity is wrong.

I understand that durring this highly stressful time this is normal. Anyway I always thought that they would somehow out grow this phase in life but they haven't. They are 18 and 19 now and still live at home but nudity is still not for them.

They don't seem to have a problem with me going nude arund the house as I do most of the time. At least they haven't mentioned it to me.

I'm just wondering what is the deal? Where did I go wrong? I mean I want them to be their own person and all and decide what is right for them. But still I would like to know how they got so hung up on clothes and the idea that it is somehow wrong to be nude. I guess friends, school and the general view of society. Any thoughts on this?

#6 08-07-2002, 06:24 AM

NakedB....Probably peer pressure...not having friends in the naturist lifestyle could have a strong influence on them.

RT · #7 08-07-2002, 11:17 AM

I'm a 22 year old male and grew up in a naturist family. I have a twin brother and a younger sister (19). the three of us are still in the naturist lifestyle.

I love it ! The feeling of being one with nature naked is awesome. It's hard to describe to a non naturist the feeling.

I have a lot of mates(buddies) who are naturists but also have a few non naturist mates. I guess having a twin brother going through pubity helped me get through that tough time of growing up.

A few of our non naturist mates have been to clothing optional beaches with us and have enjoyed the feeling. We don't push our lifestyle onto anyone we just invite them along to naturist events or clothing optional beaches and it's up to them if they want to join us.

RT

Dude in Nor Cal · #8 08-07-2002, 07:47 PM

Naked Bob 2-
As RT said, he had his twin brother, so when puberty hit their bodies were going through the same thing. My theory is that kids will stick with it if they have friends their own age that also are naturists. Since naturists are pretty rare as a percentage of the population of the US (less so in Western and Northern Europe or maybe Australia), the best way to have your kids meet other naturist kids their age might be to go meet other naturist families.

I'm 21, have no kids of my own, so I'm just theorizing. I think that a trip to a naturist "family resort" for a week or two each year probably will yield better results for the kids in the long run than taking them to a beach every so often and not wearing clothes in the house. The kids might look forward to seeing their friends every summer, like camp, and so naturism will always be something they practice at least a week a year, instead of losing interest like Naked Bob 2's kids seem to have.

Also NB2, like you said, kids find their own way. I discovered I wanted to be a naturist when I considered the question of clothes logically. Why the hell SHOULDN'T I be naked at a beach, or at home, or hiking or camping or swimming or whatever? Pretty much just shame over my own body, which I got over prettty quick. Your kids have just come to their own conclusion using their own deductive reasoning. Lord knows my parents don't agree with much of what I do, but I console them by telling them that the ability to think rationally was mostly because they raised me to. At any rate, don't blame yourself for doing anything wrong.

Naked Bob 2 · #9 08-09-2002, 02:54 AM

Thanks for the input everyone I pretty much came to the same conclusions as you all did. We did at the time belong to a Nudist resort. Maybe we just did not go often enough.

Now don't get me wrong I think that they turned out fine. I just wish they would have continued to go even if it was on there own or with their own group of friends.

Aaron · #10 08-09-2002, 10:43 AM

I'm Aaron. I'm 22 and on the staff here at
INA. I did not grow up in a naturist family.
Actually my first experience with public
nudity happened while I was surfing at
the famous Black Beach in San Diego, Calif.
I was surfing with some friends and decided
to mingle with some of the nudists on the
beach. I felt awkward at first, but was
more comfortable with it the next few times
we surfed at Black's.
Now I'm dedicated to the cause of naturism.
If you're an INA member, you can see me in
"photos of freedom" and on our new broadcast,
"nudes in the news".
I definetely feel we
need more naturists under 30. If you feel
the same let me know.