What needs to change for naturism to be accepted

As naturists, we feel good if not better while naked. Many of us would like to be able to be naked more frequently not facing negative consequences. For this, we need to continue, if not increase, to tell the naturism story and its many benefits. However, I was asking myself the question: what needs to change for naturism to be accepted? Here are some answers I found:

• De-sexualizing nudity. For many, nudity is equal to sex. Society is actually promoting this idea in ads or movies. Most of the time, the vision of a naked or half naked body leads to sexual intercourse. It’s therefore easy to link the two together. However, if we were to see in ads or movies naked people living there normal lives, then the idea of nudity outside of sexuality will start to spread. We can even used blurred genitals until people get used to the idea of non sexual nudity.
• Encouraging kids to stay naked. How many times do you see a young kid on the beach that takes his or her bathing suit off, being chastized by his or her mother or father? For most, if not all, kids, nudity is totally normal and healthy, as they do not have this link to sexuality yet. This nudity should be encouraged not banned, through parent education.
• Explaining body transformation to teenagers in a simple way. When puberty kicks in, even naturist kids tend to get dressed as they do not feel that comfortable with their body. We, as caring adults, should explain that what they feel is natural, and if they want to get dressed or get naked, they have the freedom to chose. If they feel sexual desire, it’s entirely natural, however, they need to unlink nudity and sex, which are two totally different things.
• Decriminalizing non sexual nudity. if nudity is more accepted after being more exposed to non sexual nudity, they laws should be enacted to let people get naked in social public space as long as their attitude is not sexually oriented. I know this may be controversial, but if, for instance, you ask most hikers what they think about naked hiking, they find it Ok for a big majority (read Naked Hiking to learn more about this).
• Being naked with friends and family. Big changes starts with small decisions. Do your friends and family know you are a naturist? Are you naked with them? Do you encourage them to embrace naturism? You need to come out and get more naked time with your friends and family. Of course, that may be tough the first time. Some people may find you weird. With all the content that exists on the web about the benefits of naturism, it’s eay to have a leaflet ready to hand over.
• Practicing and promoting naked activities. Hiking naked, practicing naked yoga or participation to World Naked Bike Ride will contribute to show people that naked people are harmless, they just want to practice their preferred activities naked.
• Joining a naturist association and or club. To promote its activities, an association needs members. By becoming a member of your country naturist association (AANR in the US, FFN in France, for instance or APNEL to promote naturism in liberty), you will help them to promote naturism, have more naturist places and have changes in legislation to allow more legal acceptance. And if you can and have time, act with them, dedicate some energy to help promote naturism.

Naturism is a wonderful lifestyle that can only be appreciated when tested. It’s always very difficult to explain to non naturists the many benefits of naturism. Of course, intellectually people will understand and accept (or not). But the real eye opener is when you undress totally first alone, then with other naturists. It seems a long way before naturism gets widespread acceptance, however, it’s just by continuing promoting it that it will be more and more accepted until one day, hopefully, it will just be allowed anywhere as one of the many clothing options.

Get Naked, Stay Naked, Live Naked and Share the Naked Love!

Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash