The Naturist Society



 

    * Who are the Naturists?
    * How are Naturists Different?
    * What is the History of Naturism?
    * How Popular is Naturism in the World Today?
    * How do Americans View Naturism?
    * Does Naturism Have Value to the Individual and Society?
    * What Environmental Concerns Do Naturists Have?
    * Is A Naturist Organization All Work and No Play?
    * What Are the Goals of the Naturists?
    * How Do I Get More Information?

 

Who Are the Naturists?

The Naturist Society is a national organization with members having a common philosophy - the acceptance of the nude body as good and the right to express that belief in an appropriate, natural and non-sexual setting. A government mandate to "cover-up" is a mandate to wear a symbol of shame. Within this context, we view anti nudity laws as laws designed to perpetuate contempt for our bodies. They impose shame and disgrace and contribute to a feeling of poor body image and lack of self acceptance.

 

How are Naturists Different?

In day to day lives, naturists are not very different at all. We are representative of the general public. We are from every profession and every age. Some are Republicans, some are Democrats, and some vote independent; some are married, some are single; some have strong religious convictions - virtually every denomination is represented. All these diversities come together, sharing a common philosophy, to raise the level of understanding and perception of ourselves through clothes-optional living.

 

What Is the History of Naturism?

Naturism is not a radical, new idea. The philosophy is thousands of years old. In ancient cultures - as diverse as the Japanese, Romans, Hawaiians, and Grecians - non-sexual, social nudism was commonly practiced. More recently our forefathers, both here and in Great Britain, practiced nonchalant nude bathing. Prior to the introduction of the bathing suit (known as the "Prison Suit" because of its broad stripe design) in 1830 by the Italian immigrant Augustus Brozzi, public seashore bathing was popularized by King George III (1760-1820) and King George IV (1820-1830), and by the 1840's nude bathing was popular on Great Britain's beaches.

In this country, John Adams, the leader of the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress and the man who proposed the appointment of George Washington, was known to take time off to skinny-dip, publicly, in the Potomac River! Under Queen Victoria's rule (1837-1901) and the Church of England's concept of decency, body freedom ended. so extreme was it, in fact, that even piano legs were considered indecent enough to be covered.

But in the early 1900's a rebellion against the Victorian control was underway. Starting on Long Island, New york, men began to protest the laws which stated that men must always wear clothing to cover their chests. In the early 1930's men by the thousands protested and went topless on New York beaches. In 1936 the New York law was changed, allowing men to be topless.

The trend towards body acceptance has grown ever since, and the popularity of naturism increases every year.

 

How Popular is Naturism in the World Today?

Very! Today the nations of Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, the USSR, Yugoslavia, and many other have officially designated clothes-optional beaches.

Countries that do not have officially designated clothes optional areas due to a high level of body shame are the U.S., Mexico, China, Iran, Iraq, and others.

 

How do Americans View Naturism?

Poll after poll shows a positive acceptance of naturism in America. A 1983 Gallup Poll showed a full 72% agreeing with the statement, "People who enjoy nude bathing should be able to do so at beaches accepted for that purpose." The Roper Poll found "18% of all Americans and 28% of college educated Americans have skinny-dipped in mixed company."

While the public clearly accepts the naturist lifestyle, our government continues to reflect a view more in line with the Victorian Church of England. Although there are a number of clothes optional beaches in the U.S. today, none have official designation.

 

Does Naturism Have Value to the Individual and Society?

The American culture instills a high degree of body shame, especially when compared to other industrialized countries. Although this conditioning has its origin in the philosophy of the Puritans, it is today expressed as civil law which applies to all citizens. This is not without negative consequences. Some people have been taught such a high degree of body shame that for them going for a necessary medical exam, such as a pap test or breast exam, is traumatic, and some avoid these life saving measures altogether.

Our society's mandate that we view our bodies with shame and disgrace has a negative impact upon our self image. Dr. Alayne Yates, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona, has shown that in cultures where nudity is common, children mature to be less critical of bodies in general. Dr. Marilyn Story, Professor of Family Studies at the university of Northern Iowa, who has done extensive research on nudist families for many years, states, "Social nudity takes on increased societal, as well as personal, importance when it is viewed as a significant factor in determining body self-concept." Additionally, the anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the acceptance of nudity "would ultimately lead to a decrease in neurosis and certain types of crime."

Overall, there are very definite individual and societal benefits to the acceptance of our bodies, and thus, social conditioning and laws which perpetuate a sense of body shame and disgrace do have negative consequences.

Is a Naturist Organization All Work and No Play?

Not at all. Our many social gatherings bring together people of all walks of life but with a basic, fundamental similarity. As a result, our members often become friends. Some of our events are year round pool parties, canuding trips, camping, tropical vacations, winter health young family rental, and more. And also make note that all of our social events are "clothes optional", i.e., nudity is never mandatory.

 

What Are the Goals of the Naturists?

Simply stated, there are people who are totally intolerant of anyone who is different. Unfortunately, these people are loud and have gotten public officials to hear them. In addition, our culture has an inaccurate impression of what naturists are all about. Only an organization has the strength to combat intolerant vocal opponents and to project an accurate image of naturists.

As a result, our goals are as follows:

  1. To educate the public and legislature about the merits of the clothes optional lifestyle in a non-sexual setting.
  2. To get officially designated clothing optional areas in appropriate public locations.
  3. To keep our membership informed of areas that are already established.
  4. To organize and host social events among our members.

 

How Do I Get More Information?

National information may be requested from:

Regional information may be requested from:


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[Logo] The Naturist Society
P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54902
: naturistaturist.com
Phone: (920) 426-5009
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