How do we talk about children in naturism?
In this #UndressedThread, let’s explore how to navigate one of naturism’s most vital—and challenging—conversations
For a century, naturism has been a family-friendly practice, promoting body acceptance and wholesome, universal values for all—even children. Yet today, cultural taboos and pedophilia panic make it harder for families with children to be public advocates for naturism, and in turn, harder for organizations like the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) to promote the benefits of naturism for people of all ages. In aggregate, this silence creates a vacuum that reinforces these stigmas. So, for this week’s #UndressedThread we’re curious to hear your take:
How can we promote the family-friendly nature of naturism while navigating these cultural challenges?
What strategies can help emphasize that naturism is wholesome, universal, and beneficial for all?
Let’s try to have an honest and thoughtful conversation about how we tackle this vital topic. Share your ideas in the comments. 🪐
When it comes to 'how to talk' in order to change things, it's important to understand that most people don't change their minds based on facts, evidence or statistics, at least not permanently. They might tell you that your arguments sound persuasive but a good night's sleep or a conversation with someone who holds their previous position may serve as a reset button and they come out of that as if they've never listened to a word you said.
What you need is vibes. Positive stories, don't lead with denying bad things. Show the wholesomeness and tap into people's own good memories. I've been doing my bit with my comics, I think, in creating a positive vibe.
My answer was in a lower percentile. I understand what people are thinking, that the Moral Panic and Taboos are the biggest challenges. But the reason I believe the bigger challenge is "Low Awareness" is that I STRONGLY believe our biggest challenge is education. A HUGE number of people believe that children will be damaged mentally by seeing public nudity, especially nudity of adults. A HUGE number of people believe children are more likely to be taken advantage of by a pedophiliac at a naturist resort. A HUGE number of people think the bible teaches even simple non-sexual public nudity is a sin. (Spoiler alert: It doesn't.) A HUGE number of people think naturist clubs are places where people go to have sex. OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE is education. We need to do everything we can to educate people on the true facts. We need to be armed with studies and statistics showing these concerns of theirs are not true. We also need more of these studies to show it is still relevant. We need public media to stop denigrating us by making backhanded jokes about our lifestyle. They could never get away with that when it comes to the LGBTQ population. Why is it OK to do that to us? Our voices need to be heard.