"Unpopular opinions" in nudism

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Nov 8, 2021

  It's often been noted that classical Greek statuary rather de-emphasizes the genitalia, while glorifying the naked male body. (Classical Greek females were represented robed; the naked ones came later.) Scholars think this represented an ideal of mastery - athleticism combined with control of the passions, Plato's ideal. Nudity was ceremonialized around the gymnasium and athletics, but not socially common. Even a little transgression like pulling back the foreskin would draw comment. We do see grossly sexual images on pots and so forth, and "barbarians" were often depicted with exaggerated genitalia. This was titillation, of course, and also mockery. The modern equivalent would be the hypersexual / humorous depictions of black people that have only within our lifetimes fallen out of fashion.They-- name your favorite outgroup -- are slaves to passion;We-- name your favorite in-group -- have such self-mastery that our passions are controlled even in nudity. Formal nudism feels to me much like an attempt at the Greek ideal - a deliberately, exaggeratedly de-emphasized sexuality; self-control pridefully displayed along with the body. There's a subtle thrill in that - Wilde's idea that chastity is the greatest perversion. To say, in the formal nudist context, that something is "only natural", is to break with the understanding that distinguishes the in-group. "You're not arealnudist."

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• OL

  

  Olly

  Nov 8, 2021

  [quote] - "If nudism is about freedom, then people should have the freedom to wear as much or as little as they want in a nudist setting."[/quote] It may not be popular but I actually agree with this statement. I prefer Clothes Optional to enforced nakedness (even though I'd be the first to get naked). It helps ease new nudists into the lifestyle and allows a couple to attend a CO setting when only one of them is keen to be naked.

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• PA

  

  Paul

  Nov 8, 2021

  I believe there is a place for both. There is a men's resort near me, [url][link]/link/2f0e967eeb2c9180/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jYWN0dXNjYW55b25jYW1wZ3JvdW5kLmNvbQ%3D%3D[/link]CCC[/url]. It is fully clothing optional. You are free to be nude or wear whatever you want -- throughout the resort. Many resorts require clothing in the dining room. At [url][link]/link/2f0e967eeb2c9180/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jYWN0dXNjYW55b25jYW1wZ3JvdW5kLmNvbQ%3D%3D[/link]CCC[/url], nudity is fully acceptable at the cafe. Many resorts require nudity in the pool, hot tub, and sauna. At [url][link]/link/2f0e967eeb2c9180/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jYWN0dXNjYW55b25jYW1wZ3JvdW5kLmNvbQ%3D%3D[/link]CCC[/url], you're free to wear whatever clothing you're comfortable in. I arrive nude, am nude the entire time I'm there, and I leave nude. Other guys have clothing on the entire time. It's totally up to the individual. But [url][link]/link/2f0e967eeb2c9180/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jYWN0dXNjYW55b25jYW1wZ3JvdW5kLmNvbQ%3D%3D[/link]CCC[/url] isnota nudist resort; it's amen'sresort at which your choice of clothing is entirely yours. My house, in contrast, is nudity required. Yes, I make the exception for appliance repairmen and the like, but I let them know that I am a nudist and I will not be wearing clothing. Otherwise, there are no onlookers or spectators. I make this clear for everyone else so there are no surprises at the door. If I were to run a nudist resort, I might have a small clothing-optional area set aside for those who are not sure. [quote]"If nudism is about freedom, then people should have the freedom to wear as much or as little as they want in a nudist setting." It may not be popular but I actually agree with this statement. I prefer Clothes Optional to enforced nakedness (even though I'd be the first to get naked). It helps ease new nudists into the lifestyle and allows a couple to attend a CO setting when only one of them is keen to be naked.[/quote]

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• PA

  

  Paul

  Nov 8, 2021

  Something that's frequently considered sexual but I believe should not be is erections.

  Cocks tend to be considered sexual regardless of their state of tumidity.

  My unpopular opinion is that cocks (flaccid or erect) should be a total non-issue. If it's erect, it could be simply random and not "mean" anything at all. However, even if it is erect as a result of what the man sees or is thinking, so what? No one is harmed by it. It's a normal and natural part of the male body.

  At most, it's a visible barometer of the man's state of mind. How is this a bad thing?

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• PA

  

  Paul

  Nov 8, 2021

  It's my understanding that the Greeks saw small cocks as being more aristocratic -- big cocks were barbaric. Thus, Greek statues tend to have smaller cocks.[quote]It's often been noted that classical Greek statuary rather de-emphasizes the genitalia.[/quote] Thus, Greeks tended to sexualize genitalia.

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• ST

  

  Strandjunge59

  Nov 8, 2021

  [quote] - "Involving children under 18 in social nudity is basically child abuse." [/quote] I don't understand that people who say that call themselves nudists. They have a completely opposite understanding of social nudity than a nudist. Children should be protected from them.

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• PA

  

  Paul

  Nov 8, 2021

  I agree entirely. We're born nudists.[quote]Anyone who thinks that having children exposed to social nudity is child abuse clearly doesn't understand what social nudity is all about.[/quote]

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• NU

  nudeyooper

  Nov 9, 2021

  If we let kids be the natural nudists that they tend to be, they would more likely grow to be naturists without any sense of shame. That does not mean that nudity would or should be accepted everywhere on every occasion, but as a normal state of being there would be no objections to it.

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• PA

  

  Paul

  Nov 9, 2021

  That's pretty much right out of the book, [url][link]/link/7c069c1b44e7971f/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS9UaGF0LUZhbW91cy1GaWctTGVhZi1VbmNvdmVyaW5nL2RwLzE1MzI2NTk4NjUv[/link]That Famous Fig Leaf[/url].[quote]If we let kids be the natural nudists that they tend to be, they would more likely grow to be naturists without any sense of shame. That does not mean that nudity would or should be accepted everywhere on every occasion, but as a normal state of being there would be no objections to it.[/quote] Although the author is not a nudist, he does believe nudity should be social acceptable is many everyday situations. He also believes children should be raised without body shame.

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• SA

  

  Stone Andy

  Nov 9, 2021

  My problem with unpopular opinions in nudism is less the opinions and more the ism. Not wearing any clothes is natural as we were born, calling it nudism makes it some kind of belief structure or lifestyle with ascribed norms and morals. How can we even define nudism? If you aren't wearing clothes at home in the shower are you nudist? Or making breakfast? If you're bare chested wearing just a speedo on a beach? Or how about only a baseball cap with more material? What really constitutes nudism? If you go to a hotel sauna in Scandinavia, chances are you will find naked mixed gender adults quietly taking a sauna together, but they likely don't call themselves nudists. On the other hand, ask them to talk with the stranger sitting next to them and you will likely create anxiety. You can be naked in front of strangers there, but not talk with them there since that's an invasion of privacy. So the "true nudists" increasingly sound to me like church goers insisting their views of nudism are the only right way. Meanwhile, I'm more comfortable without clothes and don't want it to become a flag to wave.

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• BO

  bob

  Nov 9, 2021

  AANR , most affiliated resorts , even tns have so many rules i think Andy is onto something.. Nudism is more like a cult in many ways same as most religions , their more about control than freedoms , more about shaming than encouraging , Same sad method preaching too!

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• M

  

  M

  Nov 9, 2021

  I kind of roll my eyes at the term "true nudists". In my opinion, that is just the name of a website. I see too many users on this site declare them selves as such. Plus even accuse others as NOT being a true nudist. Again SMH. It is nothing more that a choice of attire or lack of. Wearing less or more is a choice.

  Now that you mention it, being labeled as a nudist or as I prefer Naturists does kind of make it seem cult-like. Kind of like the Flower Commune back in the 60s and 70s. I think as a whole we have come a long ways since then however I wouldn't be surprised if some of those communes still exist today.

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• NU

  nudeyooper

  Nov 9, 2021

  [quote]My problem with unpopular opinions in nudism is less the opinions and more the ism. Not wearing any clothes is natural as we were born, calling it nudism makes it some kind of belief structure or lifestyle with ascribed norms and morals. [/quote] In a sense, no matter what we call it, nudism is a belief structure. Contrary to most of society and society makes the rules, we believe that being nude is normal and natural and we should have the freedom to appear in that state. When we have to follow nudist's rules it is because we are relegated to closed compounds that the general public is not allowed to see. If we really had the freedom that nudists suggest that we have, we would not need to join clubs, take special cruises, or attend resorts.

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• TJ

  

  TJ

  Nov 29, 2021

  [quote]My problem with unpopular opinions in nudism is less the opinions and more the ism. Not wearing any clothes is natural as we were born, calling it nudism makes it some kind of belief structure or lifestyle with ascribed norms and morals. In a sense, no matter what we call it, nudism is a belief structure. Contrary to most of society and society makes the rules, we believe that being nude is normal and natural and we should have the freedom to appear in that state. When we have to follow nudist's rules it is because we are relegated to closed compounds that the general public is not allowed to see. If we really had the freedom that nudists suggest that we have, we would not need to join clubs, take special cruises, or attend resorts.[/quote] YES! I've been reading through those comments in this thread and thinking, "Christ...I'm going to have to chime in and try to make a response that explains this from the view of it as a belief system, but I know Im too tired to do it properly and I'll get carried away and spend way too much time on it, only to find that I've produced a comment that half the length of the Mahabharata with any relevant point sunk deeper in it.than the Marianas Trench." And then I see this, so eloquent, so succinct. So efficient and economical with words, all that's needed and no more. I thank you. Well done.

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