From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Nudism , or naturism , is the practice of going nude or unclothed in social and usually mixed gender groups. It sometimes occurs furtively in secluded places in countries where appearing naked in public is illegal, but enjoys widespread acceptance in other areas of the world. Those who practice nudism are called nudists or naturists . A minority opinion is that being naked with other people is necessarily always sexual, and that nudism is morally wrong or pornographic . Naturists universally reject this view.
Naturism should not be confused with naturalism , the study of nature.
Nudists believe that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, being something that we all possess and ought to cherish.
Although the terms are used interchangeably in this article, some would draw a distinction between the terms nudism and naturism. In this view a nudist is one who sometimes chooses to go without clothes. A naturist is one who embraces a philosophy that includes more than occasional nudity , often environmentalism , vegetarianism or simply more of a closeness to nature. Others would argue that the term naturism implies snobbery, and there is no distinction. A visit to a nude beach may entitle someone to be called a nudist, but does not make one a naturist. Changing and showering in a locker room probably does not qualify for either. Doing housework in the nude might. Many nudists do so casually at home. A common thought of nudists is being "always naked under my clothes." The nudist or naturist label is really a state of mind of the practitioner, instead of a strictly defined classification imposed by others.
Most nudists and nudist organizations maintain and try to enforce a no sex in public policy, ( nude, not lewd ) and it is rare to see obvious signs of sexual behaviour at most sites. These are the stereotypical family -oriented clubs and beaches . Some fringe groups and gatherings (such as Swingstock ) are more like sex clubs and not considered by most to be examples of true nudism.
Some nudist organizations do not allow people with body piercings on their premises (presumably this rule refers to the foreign objects in the piercings, not to the piercings themselves). Most however accept people of all sizes, shapes and types including those with surgical scars , tattoos or interestingly trimmed (or absence of) hair . Some nudist organizations do not allow unaccompanied men
Nudism is not equivalent to exhibitionism . It is people who enjoy being nude and who are not primarily interested in seeing others naked or being seen naked by others. That being said, all kinds of people are attracted to the movement, for all kinds of reasons. Many naturists are convinced that increased exposure to the natural environment, made easier through nudity, can result in numerous health benefits. Sunlight has been shown to be beneficial in some skin conditions, and is required by the body to make vitamin D . Naturists often claim that they are more relaxed and in a better state of mind when they shed their clothes. Being around like-minded people can make interpersonal interactions, such as meeting new friends, easier and many nudist organizations are really just big social clubs. Indeed, some of these clubs have stricter entrance requirements then some traditional up-scale 'country clubs' - requiring references, a sponsoring member, a trial membership, committee approval etc. At the other end of the spectrum is 'unorganized' naturism in which there is nothing to join, no one to pay, and only civil, common and criminal law to serve as rules of etiquette . Many people get their first exposure to the naturist movement through this kind of informal nudism (eg. a clothing optional beach, a friend's place in the woods, a party on the shore).
Nudists often use sun protection lotions and will wear clothes if the weather demands it. Because it does not involve protective gear, nor does it involve much contact with the ground, volleyball is played by nudists.
Strong nudist movements exist in Germany (there called FKK or Freikörperkultur - Free Body Culture), France and the Netherlands , and smaller such organizations exist in many other nations. Social nudity is practiced in many cultures, especially in the context of social bathing, sometimes with mixed sexes.
The history of nudism goes back many centuries. I will try to touch lightly on some of the time lines and other significant factors. It will be an overview of the renewal of social nudity during the times of the early Greeks to modern European and American cultures.
In the early times before Judeo-Christian-Moslem concepts were brought about, most of the tropical and temperate climates of the world were nothing more than one big nudist colony. The Greeks and Romans lived in a society of "clothing when necessary", frame of mind. Bathing, as well as sports, was enjoyed in the nude, as witnessed by the early olympic games in Greece. The term Gymnos, Greek for naked, was how these athletes competed. They also trained nude in their respective sports. With the demise of the ancient civilizations and the beginning of a religion that stressed the sinfulness of sensuality, nudism was on the decline. Body shame was on the rise.
A 16th century Christian group of Puritans strongly opposed the religious tolerance of the Church of England. With their exile to New England, they became the non pleasure, morality enforcing people associated with puritanism. They were so afraid of the lust that they refrained from bathing, because in their eyes, it promoted nudity. Many religions that are outraged at nudity avoid the fact that Jesus was naked at his baptism.
In Europe, the Renaissance period had risen the awareness of body acceptance in the field of art. As the Renaissance progressed, America remained in a mindset of religiously reinforced ideas that would dictate cultural morality for centuries. There were some so called, "radical thinkers", including Henry David Thoreau and Benjamin Franklin. They found benefits in their daily naked walks, or as they were called, "air baths", but they were in the minority.
By the turn of the twentieth century, mainland England was far more advanced and tolerant of the nude body than the Unites States. Many classic works of art considered masterpieces in England, were banned in the United States. One such work of art was "September Morn", a painting of a nude bather. This work was banned by The New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and its leader, Anthony Comstock.
While the U.S. was banning art work of naked bathers, the first nudists were freeing themselves of Victorian era prudence and bathing naked in Lubeck, Germany at Freilichtpark (free light park). (1903-1981). They stressed a healthy naked lifestyle. It included daily exercise, a spartan like outdoor living, and vegetarian diets. By 1929, immigrant Germans and visiting Germans brought this lifestyle to America. After some arrests, there was a favorable court ruling in New York allowing social nudity between men and women, without being lewd. For the first time in America, the concept of social nudism got national attention.
The National Nudist Conference was formed in America in 1933. It later became the American Sunbathing Association. By the mid 1930's there were approximately eighty nudist camps across America. Most of these nudist camps still followed the philosophy of nudism as a healthy regiment. Many organized, "landed clubs", were very selective of who could become members.
The rebellious outspoken flower children of the 1960's were not about to hide the open acceptance of nudity. The new free spirit of, "make love not war", attitude was based on an honest body acceptance. The only question was, why not be open about it. Acceptance of the nude body was the natural attitude of this generation. They experienced the freedom of being nude at the beach and in streams, as well as at home. Sometimes called "The Free Beach Movement", the 1970 philosophy of open nudism would later be coined Naturism.
Because of the overbearing religious beliefs in America, Europeans have enjoyed more personal freedoms than Americans. For many years European tourist beaches have enjoyed a topree environment for women. Nude beaches are not uncommon in many parts of Europe.
Modern nudism began in Germany and France. A nudist resort city on the Mediterranean, Cap d' Agde, now exists in France. Nudity in general has become acceptable in Denmark and The Netherlands. There have been many public nudist activities in both countries. All but two of Denmark's beaches are clothing optional.
The Naturist Society was formed in America to provide information and support for naturist and nudist groups in the country. The Naturist Action Committee is a monitoring and support group that supports the rights of nudists and naturists nationwide. One of its goals is to protect our rights from the closed and narrow minded fanatics that do not understand the theory of our lifestyle.
Nationwide opinion polls taken in the years of 1983 and 1990 show that 72% of Americans polled approve of designated clothing optional beaches. To this date, roughly 30 million Americans have had some form of mixed social nudity. Other polls show that some 73% of Americans have skinny dipped with the opposite sex in their life.
The research and views within this document are that of the author. If you have any corrections, additions, or would like to contribute, feel free to send it to me. Corrections and constructive criticism are always welcome.