Locker Room Nudity

I recently rejoined my local YMCA after a 15 year absence. Needless to say, I’ve been a bit surprised by some of the changes I’ve noticed. From the 7th grade thru my first 2 years in college, group showers in a large, single open shower room were the norm. Nudity was no big issue, as no one ever seemed to notice or care. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the old Y locker room had been “remodeled” and the open shower room with 12 shower heads had been replaced with 6 individual stalls ....... with shower curtains!! (Actually, 6 shower heads are plenty, as fewer people are using them and many of those who do do so in their underwear or shorts and then do a “towel dance” to dry off and dress without being seen.)

My question is when did attitudes toward male nudity in the locker room change ..... and why?? I still shower after working out, but have altered my routine to the new standards.

 

judging by the age of the guys who still want everyone to see their balls, i'd guess around 1952.

in my experience, women's locker rooms are often like the one you just described, but men's are usually wide open. but most of the guys seem to want a little privacy anyway, until they turn 70 and it completely turns around for whatever reason.

 

I don't mind others seeing me nude in that setting, and vice versa. But what I really don't get is how there seems to always be that one older man who not only goes nude in the shower, but brings a bar of soap as if he's going for a full shower in his own home. That part I don't get.

 

It's a strange one really, it's the same with all our local swimming pools now going down the family friendly but very prudish cubicle changing areas. In such a progressive and open minded society it is strange how non sexual nudity is frowned upon more than ever.
You can proudly March the streets now as a member of the lgbt community, and rightly so, but you declare to the world you are a nudist and wow, you must be a pervert or a paedophile or something. It's unbelievable, society has really taken a backwards step and it is not a good thing for children in particular who will grow up with body confidence issues as the sight of normal nudity will be so alien to them.

Rant over for now lol

 

Why wouldn’t you bring a bar of soap?

 

From what I’ve noticed, it seems that no one cares about what we have to say.

 

If there has been a fundamental change in our attitude towards nudity I’m glad I missed out on that because I never had a problem with nudity whether it was being seen or seeing others.

In summer camp the showers were open and the camp counselors would take their showers right alongside the campers, in Jr high school and in High school the showers were open and no one gave it a second thought (although there was always some wimpy kid who was afraid to take his clothes off and everyone would bully him) and in the military it was the same thing, unless you had dependents and lived on-base in family housing, or off base (and received a monthly housing allowance)
although the dormitory showers did have individual stalls, and yes even a shower curtain.

 

I am guessing people ( all genders) are wanting more privacy . Its amazing to see the numbers of people leaving the gym and driving home in their workout clothes .

 

True. While every other aspect of life seems to be more 'liberated', simply getting naked for non sexual reasons has almost become a taboo in the UK.

 

This reminds me of a deeply embarrassing moment when i was at my local umpiring association on night having a meeting. i do some goal umpiring in the winter months over here in australia and one night we were to meet in the umpires changing rooms.
Two blokes were still having their showers.
One bloke had left his towel in his bag just where we were sitting.
He came out absolutely stark naked.
Things could be seen that you did not want to see.
Things like a boner that you don't want to see happen to a bloke that is in his late 60's...
I remember going bright red.

 

I think in the UK we are renown for being prudish and having a stiff upper lip

 

... and it's getting worse in some ways.

 

I think My Mrs could be in for a shock as we have been invited over by some friends who are expats and live in Bulgaria . They are having a pool party and I am pretty sure its going to be in the nude. She is currently trying to choose a swimsuit

 

I think that for me, the reality has become that people are out there viewing their pornography and I would just as soon not end up as part of their fetish at my local Y.

 

Or just to add on somebodies internet site .

 

typically there's soap dispensers in the showers. so it seems a bit unnecessary, although i don't think soap in an after workout shower is inappropriate.

what confuses me is the guys who come in just to shave and brush their teeth, then they go home without even getting in a workout. even if they're just trying to be cheap, i would imagine they paid more in gas to get there than they saved in water.

 

Some ladies just go to a gym for a chat and fashion show ! LOL I have heard that many times from a friend of mine who is a personal trainer before he moved to another area .

 

Better watch yo BACK, Fish!!