I believe that you are right by saying that people feel very vulnerable being naked in public. As far as making a positive difference, simply by being vulnerable ourselves and remaining courageous enough to be exposed and just remain true to ourselves and not being someone judgmental.
I am a nudist and feel completely comfortable nude in the right setting (nudist resort). It’s when I fear judgement from others that I get uncomfortable.
It's unsetting to non-nudists because of judgement. That they don't look like a celebrity or supermodel. They may be in great shape and fit but fear others will think they're flaunting it.
Nudity will unsettle those with a poor body image, church induced guilt and shame, and having been sexually abused at any age.
In my day, the nuns taught kids to take a bath only with their underwear on, pedophile priests went unpunished even when their deviancy was uncovered, and parents scapegoated and demeaned their children. Sexism was reinforced by the schools and government failed to address the endless inequalities embedded in our culture.
Overcoming any of these will be difficult and we must learn to be grateful for the smallest of victories, while at the same time continuing forward.
I grew up in an Evangelical Protestant household and am the baby of five. I have two older half-brothers 12 and 9 years my senior and two older full sisters 3 and 2 years my senior. My father was widowed and remarried. When my sisters and I were little we used to bathe together completely nude; and I'm glad that from a young age female anatomy was not a mystery to me. Maybe it just saved my mother time to have us "integrated". Because of this, maybe I never really missed out on all that much by never really "playing doctor" while I was growing up with girls my own age. I knew that my sisters were girls and that I was a boy so I reasoned that that's why they had something different from what I had. I knew that my mother was a woman and that girls grow up to be women so I figured she was like my sisters; and I knew I was like my daddy! :)
Body shame, and social conditioning that nudity is sexual.
When people accept their body in the beautiful unique design it was made, then they are not afraid to show there body - except where nudity isn't welcomed.
People not in shame and fear are harder to control.
Clothing gives a person the ability to disguise what they really look like. It can be used to put on an air of wealth, even if that is not accurate. The lack of clothing, though, offers a chance to really be yourself. Nudity allows one a chance to exchange with others on a new higher level.
The problem with a generalized poll like this is that the answer is...
Yes.
All of the above.
For some people it may be one, for others many. We live in a society that is increasingly fearful or purposely antagonist of nudity in every way imaginable. From shame to bullying to capitalism. If there's a way to make the naked body bad, we seem to find a way to do so. Even NUDISTS do this if there's something in it for them, or to feel superior to someone else.
The old adage remains. There is nothing to fear but fear itself, and HOO BOY have we ever learned to fear fear. Sensationalism in media, religious extremism, conservative punditry, parental overreaction, government oversight... All led and fed by fear.
The problem is, that's where the money is, so it's not going away.
I believe the social stigma and according laws to be the main overarching impetus for the majority, with fewer individuals fearing judgement or feeling vulnerable if society's position on nudity were reversed and embraced.
I have found more often than not that nudity equates to sexual activity in many peoples minds. Given the opportunity to visit a clothing optional resort, with someone who is a member, causes them to quickly withdraw from the idea and withdraw their friendship with you.
I think people judge on appearance and being naked is considered inappropriate and largely sexual or that people just want a bit of control on their appearance and being naked is not having any control really.
It depends on the time and the place. I fine. Most people are comfortable in like a locker room setting at a pool or a gym.
Because kids are told its dirty and made to feel ashamed of their body by prudish adults.
The laws against it, and the general 'anti-nude' attitude of people.
Removing bad nudity laws would fix most issues. But park owners (and their organizations) are in no rush as they see it as competition.
I believe that you are right by saying that people feel very vulnerable being naked in public. As far as making a positive difference, simply by being vulnerable ourselves and remaining courageous enough to be exposed and just remain true to ourselves and not being someone judgmental.
I am a nudist and feel completely comfortable nude in the right setting (nudist resort). It’s when I fear judgement from others that I get uncomfortable.
Themselves!!!!
It's unsetting to non-nudists because of judgement. That they don't look like a celebrity or supermodel. They may be in great shape and fit but fear others will think they're flaunting it.
Nudity will unsettle those with a poor body image, church induced guilt and shame, and having been sexually abused at any age.
In my day, the nuns taught kids to take a bath only with their underwear on, pedophile priests went unpunished even when their deviancy was uncovered, and parents scapegoated and demeaned their children. Sexism was reinforced by the schools and government failed to address the endless inequalities embedded in our culture.
Overcoming any of these will be difficult and we must learn to be grateful for the smallest of victories, while at the same time continuing forward.
I grew up in an Evangelical Protestant household and am the baby of five. I have two older half-brothers 12 and 9 years my senior and two older full sisters 3 and 2 years my senior. My father was widowed and remarried. When my sisters and I were little we used to bathe together completely nude; and I'm glad that from a young age female anatomy was not a mystery to me. Maybe it just saved my mother time to have us "integrated". Because of this, maybe I never really missed out on all that much by never really "playing doctor" while I was growing up with girls my own age. I knew that my sisters were girls and that I was a boy so I reasoned that that's why they had something different from what I had. I knew that my mother was a woman and that girls grow up to be women so I figured she was like my sisters; and I knew I was like my daddy! :)
Depends on that persons ability to step out of their comfort zone. It’s a bit unnerving at first.
Body shame, and social conditioning that nudity is sexual.
When people accept their body in the beautiful unique design it was made, then they are not afraid to show there body - except where nudity isn't welcomed.
People not in shame and fear are harder to control.
Accept and enjoy your body :-)
Clothing gives a person the ability to disguise what they really look like. It can be used to put on an air of wealth, even if that is not accurate. The lack of clothing, though, offers a chance to really be yourself. Nudity allows one a chance to exchange with others on a new higher level.
The problem with a generalized poll like this is that the answer is...
Yes.
All of the above.
For some people it may be one, for others many. We live in a society that is increasingly fearful or purposely antagonist of nudity in every way imaginable. From shame to bullying to capitalism. If there's a way to make the naked body bad, we seem to find a way to do so. Even NUDISTS do this if there's something in it for them, or to feel superior to someone else.
The old adage remains. There is nothing to fear but fear itself, and HOO BOY have we ever learned to fear fear. Sensationalism in media, religious extremism, conservative punditry, parental overreaction, government oversight... All led and fed by fear.
The problem is, that's where the money is, so it's not going away.
I believe the social stigma and according laws to be the main overarching impetus for the majority, with fewer individuals fearing judgement or feeling vulnerable if society's position on nudity were reversed and embraced.
I have found more often than not that nudity equates to sexual activity in many peoples minds. Given the opportunity to visit a clothing optional resort, with someone who is a member, causes them to quickly withdraw from the idea and withdraw their friendship with you.
I think people judge on appearance and being naked is considered inappropriate and largely sexual or that people just want a bit of control on their appearance and being naked is not having any control really.
I can't figure it out. It makes no sense at all.