Anti-nude attitudes persist in our society, challenging the acceptance of naturism and nudism. From media panic to moralistic legislation and public perception, these attitudes affect us all and threaten the health of a robust nudism movement. In today’s #UndressedThread, we'll discuss strategies, alliances, and community responses to address these challenges. 🚀
What other groups or movements can serve as models for a more politically involved naturism?
How can naturist communities forge effective alliances to counter anti-nude attitudes?
The public still considers nudity sexual or tacky. Until someone experiences the environment with others similarly "unclothed" they don't appreciate it leads to interactions with others on a more personal, non-sensual way. Public awareness might change a few minds.
Awareness and education work but a positive legal framework helps more in my opinion. Take the example of Germany or Spain, you can be naked on a beach or hike in the nude without having any legal issues. This helps normalizing nudity.
nudists remain invisible. I wonder whether we actually believe being naked is OK. If we don't see naturism as a viable way to live why should others feel this way? Things like the "naked bike ride" are great ways to show that social nudity is harmless, friendly, and inclusive. Other more public events would demonstrate that we have a great lifestyle
I agree with education and awareness. But I can’t say I’m incredibly enthusiastic about their success rate. Depends on how we go about them. Personally, I don’t think that an event like the WNBR positively impacts naturism. Not a popular opinion but I just don’t see anyone taking a step towards naturist acceptance after encountering such an event. It comes across as a stunt to most. But, a naturist group display at an outdoor (hiking, camping, etc..) trade show does. A naturist group volunteering to support a beach clean up does. Those present chances for non-naturists to learn, and see us as something other than the the boogeyman. I’m just not a fan of the “in your face” type activities being labeled as education.
The poll tells me I'm in the minority in picking alliances. My second choice was legal changes, which is the second lowest.
I'll put it out that AFAIK, public education and awareness have been the go-to strategy for decades and don't seem to be garnering the results that we want. It's lovely that people believe that if someone knows more, they might think differently, but the trend lately is more doubling down on an entrenched opinion and manipulating education material to serve the opposite side. You can see that with the recent WNBR controversy.
A success like the preservation of Hanlan's would not have been possible without alliances. Naturism is too small to expand on its own. If there's not more outward-looking enterprising, it will continue to dwindle and fade.
What other groups or movements can serve as models for a more politically involved naturism?
LGBTQ+ groups
Many ethnic groups
Many women's groups
Many disability alliances
However, it's important that naturists don't come into conversations thinking that we own the conversation on bodies. Everybody has a body. We all own individual viewpoints.
Naturists need to update the language that addresses the barriers that are faced and work through where there are points of alliance with other communities and where there are unique points that other communities would ally with us to address.
I'm very grateful 🙏 that there are thoughts about this, like this topic starter. I hope there can be fresh (vs entrenched) thinking on this and that old visions can be allowed to evolve.
The public still considers nudity sexual or tacky. Until someone experiences the environment with others similarly "unclothed" they don't appreciate it leads to interactions with others on a more personal, non-sensual way. Public awareness might change a few minds.
Awareness and education work but a positive legal framework helps more in my opinion. Take the example of Germany or Spain, you can be naked on a beach or hike in the nude without having any legal issues. This helps normalizing nudity.
nudists remain invisible. I wonder whether we actually believe being naked is OK. If we don't see naturism as a viable way to live why should others feel this way? Things like the "naked bike ride" are great ways to show that social nudity is harmless, friendly, and inclusive. Other more public events would demonstrate that we have a great lifestyle
Moral principles always adapt to the laws adopted in society. Where social nudity is legalized, morality does not oppose naturism.
I agree with education and awareness. But I can’t say I’m incredibly enthusiastic about their success rate. Depends on how we go about them. Personally, I don’t think that an event like the WNBR positively impacts naturism. Not a popular opinion but I just don’t see anyone taking a step towards naturist acceptance after encountering such an event. It comes across as a stunt to most. But, a naturist group display at an outdoor (hiking, camping, etc..) trade show does. A naturist group volunteering to support a beach clean up does. Those present chances for non-naturists to learn, and see us as something other than the the boogeyman. I’m just not a fan of the “in your face” type activities being labeled as education.
The poll tells me I'm in the minority in picking alliances. My second choice was legal changes, which is the second lowest.
I'll put it out that AFAIK, public education and awareness have been the go-to strategy for decades and don't seem to be garnering the results that we want. It's lovely that people believe that if someone knows more, they might think differently, but the trend lately is more doubling down on an entrenched opinion and manipulating education material to serve the opposite side. You can see that with the recent WNBR controversy.
A success like the preservation of Hanlan's would not have been possible without alliances. Naturism is too small to expand on its own. If there's not more outward-looking enterprising, it will continue to dwindle and fade.
What other groups or movements can serve as models for a more politically involved naturism?
LGBTQ+ groups
Many ethnic groups
Many women's groups
Many disability alliances
However, it's important that naturists don't come into conversations thinking that we own the conversation on bodies. Everybody has a body. We all own individual viewpoints.
Naturists need to update the language that addresses the barriers that are faced and work through where there are points of alliance with other communities and where there are unique points that other communities would ally with us to address.
I'm very grateful 🙏 that there are thoughts about this, like this topic starter. I hope there can be fresh (vs entrenched) thinking on this and that old visions can be allowed to evolve.