I wouldn’t describe myself as apathetic, judgmental, or dull. I’m not modest or self-conscious about my body. I’m not close-minded. I’m not dressed a lot of the time, especially in the summer.
Your parents were nudists, and you were raised as one too. What isn’t growing up at a nudist club like?
Imagine the reverse, where the general population has the option to be nude, and in hot weather, almost everyone is.
People attached to their clothing must confine themselves to textile clubs, resorts, or small isolated sections on beaches.
They will likely get arrested and even get charged as a sex offender if they wear clothes outside of their “designated areas.”
And in a textile club, it’s really uncomfortable, boring and unpleasant. The other “textilers” are very selfish and self-involved.
Everyone is critical of each other’s bodies, and only people who are good-looking by society’s standards are allowed in. There’s a lot of pressure to fit in.
It’s also a sexually-charged environment with provocative lingerie and clothing, and people have private orgies all day long.
Children cannot run around freely and play because it’s unsafe. They wear clothing even in 90 degree weather, so it’s easier to judge a person without getting to know them.
Plus, even though they are all beautiful under their clothes, they are taught to be ashamed of their bodies. Only immoral, deviant beings go nude among others and swim without a bathing suit.
All of the above is not how I was raised.
Don’t you ever get embarrassed or self-conscious about being naked?
No. I’m usually naked with other nudists, but if I’m naked and surrounded by clothed people, the clothed are usually the ones who feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when confronted with the human body.
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What common beliefs about nudism aren’t true?
That nudism is only enjoyed by white, middle-class, wrinkly men of age 60 and older. That it’s inherently sexual and all about having public sex.
That it’s bad for children. That’s it’s really uncommon for people to go to nude beaches or nudist resorts.
Nudism surged in popularity through the 60s and 70s, but later generations haven’t embraced the movement to the same extent. Why aren’t there as many young people involved these days?
Even in the 70′s an article came out in Time magazine about how the younger generation was missing from nudism / naturism, and nudists were trying to figure out how to attract younger people to keep the movement alive. So I think this is a nice news story that emerges once in awhile.
But since my partner and I started Young Naturists America in 2010, we’ve found that there’s no lack of interest in nudism among young people.
They just aren’t necessarily flocking to nudist clubs or resorts, but rather nude beaches or naked body painting parties. We ourselves have created a rapidly growing community of young naturists!
Is there anything you don’t like about the nudist scene?
Only that women, especially young women, aren’t as easily drawn to it as men. Men are just more comfortable with social nudity.
There might be a plethora of reasons for this difference, but I find that women are much more self-conscious and dissatisfied with their bodies these days.
From skinny dipping to nude tennis and even naked bike riding, there seems to be no end of activities people like to do in the buff. But is there anything people shouldn’t try naked?
I thought rough contact sports like rugby shouldn’t be and weren’t ever played naked, till one day I came across a naked rugby team online! So you never know…
Check out Felicity’s articles at Young Naturists America
