Do you think nudism is dying??

[jlock24]

I can tell you that I have been in a nudist environment four times over the past three years. From what I've experienced, it's obvious that not very many young people are into the whole nudist culture. Most of the people you would see in any nudist environment are older people in at least their 40s. Why do you think that is? If nudism really does seem like it's dying, then you think there's any hope in the future to try to promote it more?

Jon Locklear

[mossytrail (deleted)]

`I think in part the s----l revolution played a role. At first glance, one would think it would have helped -- hippies accepting of nudity. Unfortunately, the unforeseen consequence was that images of nudity were exploited more and more openly by promoters of s----lity, so that the public now more than ever assumes nudity=sex. My mother remembers when breastfeeding was not that big a deal; only recently has it become controversial, and she blames the more and more overt s----lization of the female breast.

All this may have to do with the lack of young people in nudism; they are constantly bombarded with images of s----lity, including massive amounts of Internet ----, and so they see no reason to turn to nonsexual nudism, or maybe even do not believe it really exists.

Plus, all the imagery only serves to reinforce their own body shame. I have seen this on a non-nudist discussion board when the topic of nudism is brought up. No matter how many of us nudists weigh in to explain that nudism isn't about how you look, that nudist resorts are full of quite ordinary-looking people, and accepting your body just as it is is one of our tenets -- after all that, you still hear someone comment, "If I was more physically fit I would do it." I do not see young people having the ability to look beyond media images of idealized bodies and their own failure to measure up.

[centauri4]

It has been written before that young people do not have the disposable income to pay the fees to visit a nudist resort, whether it is near their home or not, and that there must be a "reason" to visit one. A benefit. A goal.

Could one be simply to have a relaxing day or weekend? Can it be to challenge one's own sensibilities and try to see the world, or people, in a different context?

If the majority of people grew up clothed, were only exposed to greater amounts of visible skin on occasional trips to the beach, or had a more conservative upbringing with clothing outfits being dictated by the day, holiday or event, then they may not see a purpose to nudity?

Have we defined a benefit, a purpose or a philosophical value to nudism that is of benefit to society that people can easily grasp? We offer body acceptance as a benefit, but many people accept their bodies fully clothed. We offer an improved understanding of human s----lity, awareness of it and ideas on being responsible in our approach to and use of it. We suggest improved mental health by reducing the anxiety of young people toward their changing and maturing bodies, but at the same time many outlets restrict access to "adult" discussions of nudity to those over eighteen years of age.

So, the avenues of access are limited unless we write, unless we speak, unless we [all] become advocates and stewards of this knowledge. This duty must be done widely, with purpose, without worrying whether it is accompanied by pictures, videos or otherwise titillating content. We must find outlets, adopt symbols, link to each other and definitely express our personal values whenever they support a "changed for the better" society.

I hope people see this post and take it to heart. I hope each of us takes a moment to reach back into our pasts and see if there was something missing, identify the nearly forgotten moments of teenage anxiety, remember any instances of awkwardness in approaching the opposite S-- in social situations, and tap into the energy of those moments for a greater purpose. Find something that once made you feel bashful and figure out how you worked through it, or how you might have worked through it THEN if you knew what you know NOW. Be a voice, become a reason, put your passion into practice and express how social nudism has made you a better person; if as I do, you feel it has done that.

~