Are nudist endangered?

It seems to me that the majority of nudist are older people but none of the younger ones although you do on occassions get those that are younger. If the older people go then they'll need to be replaced by younger people but nudist will be reduced in numbers by then?

 

I think it's usually an interest that people pick up with age.

But I know a lot of people my age who don't wear clothes at home....... I assume at least some will be more nudist some day.

 

I too have noticed on European Beaches the majority of naturists seem to be older couples. In my case I did not try naturism until the children had grown up and left home. In hindsight I wish I tried it as a youngster but never did though as a toddler played naked in the garden but can't really remember that.

The internet while it does encourage some voyeurism also makes younger people aware of the more positive side of nude relaxation. There will always be a cross section of ages among naturists. Younger people, despite having generally better looking bodies, are as a whole more body conscious than older people. When you get past 45 you tend to be less worried about what others think of you and if you find being nude pleasant you are more likely to go for it.

The biggest threat by far to naturism is the creeping level of restriction pandering to the less tolerant minority. The fact that we may have come to naturism older than we should is nothing to worry about.

 

As a 27 year old I've been really thinking about it and put it into practice only briefly as my sessions are subjected to frequent interruptions so I leave it to just periods of a few minutes to an hour when I do it.

 

Being one of the "elder" naturists, living in Europe (Germany, one nudist country, really...), I can confirm that most nude beaches even on lakes are separated into two parts: the recreational ones and the gay cruising areas (both entertaining, to my taste). And the recreational are mostly inhabited by older family people, or older male singles. Fortunately, at my favourite lake, this all mingles, so that we have some younger people (high school and college age, too) among the old, pot-bellied guys like me.


Oh, the lake? Here it is:



Located right on the outskirts of Düsseldorf... my nearest favourite skinny-dipping place.

Then we should consider, that we are right now part of a possible young nudists network, since this thread has made the topic searchable on the big bad G (Google... there, I said it!) or other searchh engines of your liking and choice.

If only one more person will find his/her way here, we've made success.

With nudity becoming somewhat obnoxious in the eyes of mainstream (while sex still sells... strange, huh?), it it indeed getting increasingly difficult to maintain the innocence, the naturality and wellness aspect of nudity, especially outdoors, in Nature. Horrendous sexual crimes and the media coverage about it - which still increases - have switched on a spotlight, which is now aimed at nudists, marking them as alleged deviants.

This is sad... very sad only - this was said by a near-nude native girl once... Good to see, that we're willing to make amends and also doing so.

Wiggling bare toes,

~*Ganesha*~

 

I think that those in organised settings (clubs, campsites) are generally older.

 

There are exceptions to the trend...
At one nearby naturist place there have been 50 kids on a summer weekend.
(AANR American Association for Nude Recreation) Youth Camps are attended by........youth!!

Other groups:
Florida Young Naturists

International Young Naturists

Nudist Club House has the usual older members, but plenty of younger ones too.

The big nude beaches in the USA have some young people too:
Haulover in north Miami area, Playalinda on the south end of Canaveral National Seashore, Blacks Beach in the La Jolla area of San Diego, Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook New Jersey too. Some of the hot springs in the western US are traditionally nude and young adults come there on occasion. For those who can make it to Oregon, Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs is popular with all ages.

 

In Germany and the Netherlands in saunas and spas there are plenty of young people- they wouldn't call themselves nudists but enjoy activities without clothes.

 

I agree that someone who takes off clothes to swim is not necessarily a nudist, but those who are naturists and nudists at home as well can be grateful for these kindred spirits.

Home nudity and in the backyard garden is a great way to raise children and healthy for adult bodies too. (The hot summer climate here makes wearing clothes terribly impractical for much of the year).

When it comes to child rearing, the problem with being nude only on the beach or at FKK park once a year is that in America (and perhaps some other parts of the world) that the negativity about the body is so strong that annual nudity is simply not enough to counteract the bad influence of people who treat the body with contempt.

I am not condemning families that are only nude once a year, but suggest only that it is not as likely to meet with success.

 

I don't think the WNBR helps much either.

 

Hmm... I have often thought that World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) hardens resistance from those who are opposed to public nudity, but may encourage greater participation from people who are already considering nude recreation in some form. So is the net result good or bad. Your call....

 

I would say good, but outsiders opinions are very resistant to change. But slowly they should change, I hope.

 

Are nudist endangered?
I sure hope not........I just renewed my hunting license.

 

It's about car dependence not naturism, just as the PETA campaign is about not wearing fur not being naked.

 

Excellent point! Although a lifestyle involving frequent nudity is arguably compatible with green energy advocacy and a compassionate attitude about the creatures with which we share the planet may indirectly tie in with reverence for nudity, it does seem that nudity is used for shock value in these parades and demonstrations.

Should we have naturist parades to demonstrate that nudity is not shocking, but normal, good, fun, comfortable, and maybe a little bit sexy, but not so much that the whole family cannot join in?

 

I'd rather say, that nudity can get a point across in activism just by portraying the natural and fun aspect... think environmentalist: we want to preserve Nature since usnaturists need it...

Furthermore: nudity is inherently non-violent (exception: classic Greek wrestling, with oiled, naked bodies intertwining and... :drool5::grouphug: you get the appetizing picture). So, nude activism is a gentle one, too...

Of course, protesters are by default out of mainstream and appear strange in mainstream eyes, mostly. So, it may not be the best to serve as support for the classic naturist ideals - but nude protest conveys a message, clothed protest sometimes cannot.

Just my two bare footprints on this... since I'm nude, typing this, I don't carry two cents.

Wiggling bare toes,

~*Ganesha*~

 

Some of the old-school nudists I have met were so afraid of being "outed" that they have inadvertently kept nudist resorts and naturism in the same category as fairies, unicorns and elves: secret, mysterious, even mythological.

We don't want to be the angry ugly in-your-face nudist/naturist, but the old system of secrecy was ineffective and emotionally painful to those trying to live double lives.

To be fair to them, I know how repressive the laws were in the 1950's and 1960's and in some places it is still frightening how the Nanny State has judged us without benefit of the facts.

Is there a middle ground?

 

I stayed in a camp outside Paris and one in southern France last year. Most were people about my age, so they can't be full of old people

It is an economical way to travel in Europe. Here in Russia, it is very normal to use banya every week (sauna I think is the right word). It is usually gender segregated and nude, and people of all ages take to it. "Nudism" is co-ed banya with more people than one's own family or close friends...

 

Puskin,

Maybe in another 1,000 years culture on this side of the Atlantic will treat the body with more respect and less lewdness. Meanwhile there are islands of civilization I can visit in the midst of the barbarism.

If I ever find enough money to cross the ocean again, I hope that some of that visit will include a pleasant hour or two in a banya and the camps you mention.
I hope you have a pleasant summer!

 

Nudism isn't dying out, but the resorts are. They're expensive, and for most younger nudists, boring. Also, with their prohibition against cameras, it's the same as telling people "No cell phones." Really, tell a 20-something to give up their texting, posting, etc?

Sometime between those of us who helped to create the nude beaches and now, there was a conservative swing, the Reagan era, right wing religion, etc, that taught those growing up from the 80's to the turn of the century that nudism was bad.

And then there's the great National Witch Hunt; looking for alleged pervs and pedos under every conceivable rock. This kept a lot of nudist parents from raising their children as nudists.

So now there seems to be a reinterest in nudism/naturism by younger people, and this is great, but there's a large generational gap because of the reasons above.