Nudist/Naturist and/or Exhibitionist

[Cyber]

Without doubt I enjoy nudity, both my own and that of others.

I enjoy the feeling of freedom and the sense of pleasure and serenity I get when I'm nude outdoors in nature, whether is hiking, swimming or sunbathing. I my most peaceful and relaxed when outdoors nude, having a sense of being re-charged and an improved inner-wellbeing. In this sense my nudity is for me, my wellness, my peacefulness. It doesn't need any other person to be involved.

There is also a side of me that thrives on being nude in front of other people. I enjoy people seeing me completely naked and exposed, especially if it involves me being naked in a non-nudist setting, for example at the river or a hiking trail in the forest. I also enjoy looking at other peoples nudity, seeing bare naked bodies exposed and on view, knowing that they too are likely deriving pleasure from their nakedness. Being a member of a webcam community that permits nudity also means I can continue my exhibitionism by stripping naked for people in the privacy of my own home.

So I'm both a nudist and an exhibitionist, my nudism has an inner focus while my exhibitionism is outward focussed. Both provide me pleasure and a sense of fulfilment, but in different ways. And I think both are quite acceptable.

I'm interested in what you think - is exhibitionism an inherent part of nudism/naturism or a completely separate thing?

[nudeM]

There is a difference. Exhibitionists go out of their way for others to see them and will go out of their way to see others. Nudists on the other hand, don't really go out of their way. It's just being completely at ease being nude, either solely or among others. It's a way of life and yes, some nudists are "shy" about being seen by some. Nudists practice acceptable behavior while nude around others as not to offend, while exhibitionists really don't. To them, being seen as a "thrill" and it's a "thrill" to see others.
Although they may be closely related, there is a big difference between the two.

[nudeyooper]

I am for the most part a solo nudist who does not care if I am seen, but enjoys the clothes freedom that nudity gives. I would certainly be nude in more situations if the law and culture allowed it, but am happy enough with things as they are. I've been to a C/O beach, been nude at a seclude beach many times, have bicycled nude, driven nude, walked in the woods while nude, exercised nude, done housework nude, and have taken mail to the box or the trash out to the street without getting dressed. I certainly did not want to be seen and always was alone at the time. When working on a building project, if I am where I won't be seen or need protection from clothing, I will work nude. This is especially true when finishing drywall and painting.

[EltonJ]

Nudism is totally different from Exhibitionism. The first is something where you are having a modest spirit. You're nude, that's true, but you're also modest about it. You don't try to show yourself off to others. Exhibitionism is definitely done in the spirit to show yourself off without being modest about it. Exhibitionism is all about the thrill. Nudism isn't.

[Mosquito_Bait]

An exhibitionist is someone who enjoys shocking people or gets a thrill from exposing themselves.

A nudist is typically someone who doesn't care if they are seen nude.

I think that is an important distinction. When I'm nude on a beach, I don't care whether or not others who might be clothed see me. I don't go nude to shock anyone or to get a thrill from being seen. I go nude simply because I like it better than wearing a swimsuit.

The first time I was on a beach where nudists were present, I was with a group from my college dorm. I did not go nude that day. Our group was coed, and I didn't want to risk offending any of the ladies. The situation did leave a strong impression in my mind. I had always assumed that nudist venues function on the quid pro quo of "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." It was evident that the nudists on that beach that day didn't follow any such protocol. It was also evident that they weren't trying to shock anyone. They typically stayed at Frisbee-toss distance. They weren't flaunting their nudity by trying to get close to clothed people. They were nude simply because they enjoyed being nude.

[BareSkin]

EltonJ:

Nudism is totally different from Exhibitionism. The first is something where you are having a modest spirit. You're nude, that's true, but you're also modest about it. You don't try to show yourself off to others. Exhibitionism is definitely done in the spirit to show yourself off without being modest about it. Exhibitionism is all about the thrill. Nudism isn't.

I agree with EltonJ's comment. In fact, in the context of nudity, exhibitionism is actually defined as being of a sexual nature. Whereas, the essence of social nudity, as naturists/nudists would describe it, lies in the separation of nudity from sexual behaviour. And I think that's a crucial separation.
In point of fact, one of nudism's biggest problems stems entirely from this very thing - the absence in the mind of the average nudophobe of an appreciation of the difference between being naked and having sexual relations with someone.
Without wishing to stray too far from the point, the obvious reason for that erroneous association of nudity with sex is because of the branding of the naked body as offensive from about the age of 2 or 3 years, which results in the great majority of humans virtually never exposing their unclad bodies to another human unless they're engaging in sexual activity.

For this reason, far from accepting that exhibitionism is a legitimate aspect of nudism, we need to continue to distance ourselves from that concept. And we need to educate the nudophobic masses that clothing is an artificial and unnecessary barrier between people - and a psychologically detrimental one at that. We have to teach them that the presence or absence of clothing has nothing to do with sex. Nudity is one thing; sex is something else.

[Naked Jones]

EltonJ:

I agree with EltonJ's comment. In fact, in the context of nudity, exhibitionism is actually defined as being of a sexual nature.

That's also how I've seen "exhibitionism" used in discussions of naturism - overt sexual acts. And yes, it's hard enough getting most people to accept the idea that in a given place they might see nude bodies, so adding in the prospect of seeing sex just raises the bar to impossible heights.

[sunloverguy]

I’ve always enjoyed being seen by other nudists, and it is a turn on for me, although I love being nude alone also. And when I say turn on, I’m talking about a smile returned, or a nod. I don’t mean explicitly trying to emphasize my genitals, or wandering around with a raging erection.

[Enjoying life]

Maybe when I started over 20 years ago there have been some sort of exhibitionism to it. But later on it was just the free feeling I got being nude, and never cared what other thought about me doing it. For myself this is me and and just deal with it. I go nude mostly at home during the colder months and only when it's warmer do I venture to a nude resort or beach. But that just for the ability to be nude out in nature. Sure we all have a different reason for doing it, but for real nudists it for the free feeling and dislike in wearing clothes.

[seanotanline]

I guess I fall into the same camp as Cyber and sunloverguy. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but I also don't think that enjoying being seen nude by others or enjoying being naked among clothed people necessarily makes one an exhibitionist, at least as that term is being defined here. I enjoy it, but never have the intent to "shock." I enjoy being naked among clothed people in locations where the clothed people should have a reasonable expectation that nudity may be present and I similarly understand that there are likely to be clothed people. These locations may include places like clothing optional beaches, mountain lakes or rivers in the backcountry, locker rooms, saunas, events like World Naked Bike Ride or Bay to Breakers, hot tubs or hot springs, etc. I also enjoy being photographed nude in nature and sharing fully nude photos of my outdoor adventures on Flickr, appropriately flagged as "restricted" and with the disclaimer in my profile that my images include nudity and viewers should be 18 (or 21), again setting a reasonable expectation that a viewer will encounter nudity should they decide to view my photos. I don't agree with the seemingly common attitude that any thought of arousal while nude or while seeing other people nude precludes being a "real" nudist or naturist.

[nudeM]

...I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but I also don't think that enjoying being seen nude by others or enjoying being naked among clothed people necessarily makes one an exhibitionist, at least as that term is being defined here. I enjoy it, but never have the intent to "shock."

And that is the difference. In one sentence you state being seen nude by others or enjoy being naked among clothed people necessarily makes one and exhibitionist, but the very next sentence you enjoy it, but never have the intent to "shock".
That is the difference between the two. Exhibitionists focus on the "shock" or "thrill" factors. That is their goal. To them, it's the thrill of being seen, or seeing others nude.
Nudists on the other hand, take it or leave it. If they are seen, so be it, but they don't go out of their way to be seen. Simply enjoying the nude life, either at home or socially, they just prefer not to wear clothes.
Just my opinion.

[varav]

I don't consider myself an exhibitionist. But, I am sure, for those who think about it, because of their conservative upbringing and experienced complexes, instilled from childhood, they call me that way. Many people simply do not understand and do not know the difference between pathology and a healthy perception of naturalness, first of all, THEIR NATURALNESS.

[SunnyDan]

I was a member of a c/o resort. I enjoyed the nudity.
They are open/available for outside groups to use the facility for meetings.
One time I was there for the nude experience and had to use the facilities...(I had to pee)
This required I go to a particular place (the Men's room.) This place was through a meeting of a women's group meeting for some particular reason (I don't recall the reason.) The women's group were all clothed.
I walked through naked, did my business and walked through again, back to where I came from.
I found it a bit odd, me, a man, walking naked through a group of clothed women, and thinking "I'm the only one "appropriately" dressed!

[Timtim8]

I'm more of an exhibitionist come to think of it, I've always got a rush when people saw me naked, especially an older woman like for instance my stepmom or my friend's mom that time at a nude beach like 10 years back.

[Tanazz]

Exhibitionism is defined as exposing your genitals for shock value or sexual gratification. Like a guy flashing a boner or masterbating to unsuspecting recipients. You can be arrested for that, as we know. That's exhibitionism, by law. Getting a rush from being nude in front of others, doe not an exhibitionist make you. I get a rush just walking outside naked, in the morning, and I do it every day. I just love being naked outdoors, in nature, and I've been doing it for over 20 years and nobody can see me. I also get the same rush on a nude beach, at a nude resort, or walking nude in the desert. I've never done it with an erection, and don't consider it exhibitionism