The Next Generation

Replies

• JA

  

  JackNeilson

  Jul 2, 2011

  Speaking from the young age of 73 I can see your point.  While I and I am sure most older people value our nudist youth the generation gap does exist just as it does in the textile world.  I enjoy hearing the stories of our youth and feel that they can contribute much to conversations.  At the club to which I belong events, sports etc are shared equally between young and older people yet there still exists a subtle separation at other times as youth gravitates towards youth and older to older.  To address your other point concerning negativity on this site.  It is an unfortunate truth that it does exist here and I don't believe it has that much to do with age. The majority of young people here post intelligent and interesting threads but there is a minority who tend to challenge the very purpose of the site which is nudism, not sex, gender, orientation etc by posting inflamatory threads which then lead to flame wars.  Of course there are some older people who do so also but younger people seem to have more of a tendancy to do so.  This can be very off-putting to people who find TN as a "true nudist" site then see these type of posts and become disallusioned.  You state that to survive we must evolve and embrace our youth and that is very true but you also state that we must stick to our ideals which is also true. How we can appeal to younger people is a subject that many are considering and I feel the only way we can find an answer is to appeal to the younger people to let us know their ideas and to seriously consider implementing them.

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• CA

  

  CabotCheese

  Jul 2, 2011

  The youth of today don't use email or forums at the rate the older generations do.
  To encourage activity we need to be where they hang out which typically isn't here. The youth are huge into texting. Obama won the hearts of the youth by reaching out via twitter, facebook and SMS and posting frequently litle snippets to maintain thier awareness/interest.

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• ME

  Member

  Jul 2, 2011

  Younger generations don't want to give up their bathing suits and cloths because bathing suits and cloths are fashionable.  Fashion is a big deal for a lot of people.  Fashion unlike nudism doesn't accept people for who they are but how they are perceived.
  Younger generations don't want to be members of anything.  I got into nudism because of my proximity to Gunnison Beach while living in NJ. At this moment in  my life I cant imagine joining a club.  Also a lot of the clubs that I know off are in the middle of nowhere.
  Younger generations are concerned about privacy.  We know how digital images can be quickly distributed online.
  In general young men want to be where there are young women.  Young women however don't want to be where men are trying to see nude women.

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• MC

  

  Mary Clare

  Jul 2, 2011

  Supernatural,
  You saw that article front page of Wall Street Journal. My husband Tom talkecd to that reporter around 1 hour. However, he had an agenda trying to make nude recreation look bad and ignore much of the facts. The biggest fact he ignored is demographics. US census age data says 76% of American adults are ages 35-80. That is why there are more of them at nudist resorts. More are alive. Only 16% of adults are in their 20's.
  Next he ignored the fact that people ALL THE TIME that hate nudism make it sounds like it is dying. Tom found a Time Magazine online article from 1971 daying that nudism was dying because it was no longer popular with young people.
  The fact is most younger people are still pretty insecure with their bodies and looking for sex partners. Once they get into their 30's they start feeling comfortable with themselves being nude, and women are not quite as fashion concious. 30's, 40's, and 50's are prime ages to try nude recreation.
  Another thing is younger people are afraid for their jobs, so they don't post that they like nude recreation. We have so many guests that will not friend us on facebook as they don't want a "trail" showing they like nudism. Teachers are especailly afraid for their jobs.
  Nudism is growing. However, 1 club can not be all things to all people. Just like int he regular hotel industry certain hotels have reputations as weekend party places and other shave reputations as relaxing vacation resorts, nudism is strarting to have niches like that too.
  Next, most younger people I know are creeped out by kids at nudist venues, especially teachers. IMO, that is one of the biggest things holding back nudist resorts.
  Have a great 4th of July holiday everyone.

  MC

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• A

  

  A

  Jul 3, 2011

  This is partly an overblown and partly a real issue. Been to so few nude spots outside Europe that following applies only to the old continent:

  1. Nude resorts. Most nude resorts are not easy access (not located in/near popular resort towns nor very accessible without a car/camper van) nor budget. Many easiest/best enjoyed with camper van or tent, youth nowadays rarely camps nor is financially ciable for older generation behicles like camper vans. Resorts often feel to younger generation like geriatric camps and there simply not too many other youth to mix in. Most resorts not much for the party people, either - and young folks like to party. Also the access and control issues, like membership requirements, general crave of nudity whereas many young people like to be nude when they feel and in clothes when they feel. That said, the few resorts that do combine active night life nearby/within premises and budget accommodation are fairly popular among younger generation so it is largely a market issue as well. Most resorts like to focus on 40-80 yr olds as they have money, no debts, they do not disturb others with loud parties and the ones over 55 often on early retirement so they stick around entire season.

  2. Nude associations/clubs. Many young people simply shy off commitments of permanent kind and memberships often seen as such.

  3. Nude beaches. Depends a beach. Youth often have issues with self-image, so many who not used to nudity definitely would not feel comfy being nude on a clothing optional beach (they wear swimsuit/trunks and I am not - are they laughing at me?) Also in many places nude beaches not "in" and young ones go to the beaches that are "in". If a nude beach becomes "in", it also shows in generation structure of its patrons.

  4. Broader trends in society. Society since late 1980's has steadily grown somewhat more conservative about nudity, though same time in some aspects nudity has become more "everyday" thing. Already mentioned in the thread is the fashion issue. That often is definitely what matters, if textile is perceived cool and nude not, then textile it goes. Prejudices do play a role as well. If in a friendship circle an opinion leader suggests that "let's go to a nude beach or skinny dipping" it is often accepted and not taken as a huge thing.

  5- Power of numbers. The big generations were in Europe born in 1940's and 1950's, since 1960's in most countries generations considerably smaller, so this also bears a significant role. Over 50-yr olds are well-represented for the fact of their sheer numbers. Socioeconomic position and increased spare time adding to that.

  So same time there are dwindling numbers of youth going to designed nude spots, there are many youth who open to be nude whenever it feels OK for the situation. It just comes out to the point how to attract more young people to designated nude spots/events.

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• KR

  

  kramtrohs

  Jul 4, 2011

  I think that most young people see the lifestyle as "Wierd" & associate it with sex!! We need to break that association!

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 4, 2011

  FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU---

  How many people under 21 are talking about this thing? I certainly would feel a bit off if I was at a resort with a bunch old people 30 and up. Sure we can talk about politics and sports, but what if I want to talk about the coolest musician or something?
  And I was never a very hip and cool person so I don't try to be one. I just try not to be overly lame. I am not a party animal. I'd probably have more fun at a nudist resort with older people than at a party where everyone calls me a loser for being straight edge.

  How many older people even know what straight edge is?

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 4, 2011

  [quote]I know what straight edge is... ...loser! Haha![/quote] *Face palm* This guy ^

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• CA

  

  CabotCheese

  Jul 4, 2011

  [quote]FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU--- How many people under 21 are talking about this thing? I certainly would feel a bit off if I was at a resort with a bunch old people 30 and up. Sure we can talk about politics and sports, but what if I want to talk about the coolest musician or something? And I was never a very hip and cool person so I don't try to be one. I just try not to be overly lame. I am not a party animal. I'd probably have more fun at a nudist resort with older people than at a party where everyone calls me a loser for being straight edge. How many older people even know what straight edge is?[/quote] X marks the spot

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• CA

  

  CabotCheese

  Jul 4, 2011

  [quote] Another big thing I think kills it for nudism is that they don't seem to offer much to do.  "Come and just sit and be naked with us" sounds both creepy and boring.  There needs to be in my opinion a much better marketing strategy. [/quote] I agree boredom is a huge factor. Youth are multi-taskers that are bombarded with information from multiple sources, they have all sorts of entertainment choices we naver had growing up. Sitting around a pool doesn't sound very interseting in comparison.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 4, 2011

  I often wonder how often it is them wondering about their body image so much as them not wanting to be naked with a bunch of older strangers.
  I'm not an in shape guy but I am comfortable just knowing that I don't have a guy.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 10, 2011

  [quote]I often wonder how often it is them wondering about their body image so much as them not wanting to be naked with a bunch of older strangers. I'm not an in shape guy but I am comfortable just knowing that I don't have a guy.[/quote]   Took me a week to notice that typo.

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• SO

  

  Soupie

  Jul 10, 2011

  I think that for a lot of young people the problem with nudism is that there's no place to keep your iPhone/blackberry/iPod/water bottle and the chain full of keys that weigh down the pants.
  I had a dinner party last week, and during dessert, while conversation was going on, 2 guests pulled out there iPhones and began texting.  I was kind of appalled.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 11, 2011

  [quote]I think that for a lot of young people the problem with nudism is that there's no place to keep your iPhone/blackberry/iPod/water bottle and the chain full of keys that weigh down the pants. I had a dinner party last week, and during dessert, while conversation was going on, 2 guests pulled out there iPhones and began texting.  I was kind of appalled.[/quote] I cam go without my phone and other technology, but where will I put my keys?!

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• MI

  

  Michael

  Jul 13, 2011

  [quote][quote][quote] Another big thing I think kills it for nudism is that they don't seem to offer much to do.  "Come and just sit and be naked with us" sounds both creepy and boring.  There needs to be in my opinion a much better marketing strategy. [/quote]   I agree boredom is a huge factor. Youth are multi-taskers that are bombarded with information from multiple sources, they have all sorts of entertainment choices we naver had growing up. Sitting around a pool doesn't sound very interseting in comparison.[/quote] Nah - I totally disagree with that.  Boredom is only an issue with youth today because technology has robbed them of the ability to think beyond their playstation controllers, computer mice, and mobile phone keypads.  We had tons of entertainment choices growing up that was far more fun than sitting around a pool - jumping of the wharf and skinny-dipping in the river, racing the horses up and down the beach, hiking the forest trails and camping in the woods, kayaking and sailing, surfing - and all done naked when we felt like it.  None of those things have gone away, and many of our youth today still find immense fun in those things - it's just sad that so many others just don't seem to be that physically adventurous any more - probably explains the obesity problem in the western world![/quote] Regardless, you have to approach this as people are not as how you want them to be.  Just because you found wharf-jumping and camping fun doesn't change the fact that for the majority of today's youth that is no longer an appealing and attractive way to spend their leisure time.

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• MA

  

  ManOfWicklow

  Jul 13, 2011

  [quote]I know what straight edge is... ...loser! Haha![/quote]  It's used to obtain a straigh line.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 15, 2011

  Looks like that guy got owned.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 24, 2011

  I hate seeing a good thread die.

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• SH

  

  Shane

  Jul 24, 2011

  I have no social image. In high school, I wasn't a nobody, but I wasn't really a somebody. I was just 'the guy with the beard' and I kind of liked it that way. Many people ask why I take my own pictures. It is because I have no nudist friends. With me being in Dallas, I know there should be some sort of nudist event always going on.
  And besides, a lot of older nudists could use some young people to hang around with!

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• JO

  

  joetheguy

  Jul 24, 2011

  I have had people tell me they are not interested in nudism because without clothes they would feel undefined.  Clothes are a very expressive thing.  They state a sense of style, belonging to a group, and how you want others to see you.  When naked, all you are left with is your body as is.  This is something I really like about nudism, but I think this concept is really intimidating for a lot of young people.
  I have noticed the crowd at camps and resorts is almost exclusively older, but the crowd at public and natural places can be more diverse in age range.  There are probably many reasons, from lower cost, fewer rules, and no need to identify yourself as a nudist.  Many people who like to be naked may not be comfortable identifying themselves as a nudist.  That word to them has a lot of baggage and odd history.  They simply just want to do what they enjoy, and is being naked is something they enjoy, they don't need to make it into something that defines them.  Nudist resorts came into being to provide safe spaces for social nudity in a world that is otherwise not accepting of it.  There are only so many public nude places, but at least here in the northeast us, we are lucky to have quite a few, even if our season is short.   So the need for such safe spaces may not be as strong if you can just go to a beach, which does not make you deal with membership, quotas, and reminders about rules.   In a way nudists resorts have become a bit like naked country clubs, insular communities of mostly older and more financially secure folks that try and protect themselves from the "riff raff".  So no wonder younger people might feel a little intimidated and out of place.   Even when these issues don't happen, not having anyone in your peer group you can relate to can really make things feel a bit lonely, and so we have a catch 22.
  Anyhow, I think public nude places are the key to bringing in new nudists.   The private places could do more to reach out of the community of people who frequent those places.   They may want to say spend a few days in the nude, or participate in more organized activities, which is something only a camp or resort can provide.  Whatever can be done to protect and even establish nude public places will go a long way to keeping this lifestyle alive.

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• CD

  

  Cheri Donna Dawson

  Jul 26, 2011

  [quote]I have had people tell me they are not interested in nudism because without clothes they would feel undefined. Clothes are a very expressive thing. They state a sense of style, belonging to a group, and how you want others to see you. When naked, all you are left with is your body as is. This is something I really like about nudism, but I think this concept is really intimidating for a lot of young people. I have noticed the crowd at camps and resorts is almost exclusively older, but the crowd at public and natural places can be more diverse in age range. There are probably many reasons, from lower cost, fewer rules, and no need to identify yourself as a nudist. Many people who like to be naked may not be comfortable identifying themselves as a nudist. That word to them has a lot of baggage and odd history. They simply just want to do what they enjoy, and is being naked is something they enjoy, they don't need to make it into something that defines them. Nudist resorts came into being to provide safe spaces for social nudity in a world that is otherwise not accepting of it. There are only so many public nude places, but at least here in the northeast us, we are lucky to have quite a few, even if our season is short. So the need for such safe spaces may not be as strong if you can just go to a beach, which does not make you deal with membership, quotas, and reminders about rules. In a way nudists resorts have become a bit like naked country clubs, insular communities of mostly older and more financially secure folks that try and protect themselves from the "riff raff". So no wonder younger people might feel a little intimidated and out of place. Even when these issues don't happen, not having anyone in your peer group you can relate to can really make things feel a bit lonely, and so we have a catch 22. Anyhow, I think public nude places are the key to bringing in new nudists. The private places could do more to reach out of the community of people who frequent those places. They may want to say spend a few days in the nude, or participate in more organized activities, which is something only a camp or resort can provide. Whatever can be done to protect and even establish nude public places will go a long way to keeping this lifestyle alive.[/quote]  There are other options in addition to nudist resorts. There are nudist parks and nonlanded clubs. Advertising in local weekly newspapers as well as College media doesn't get many responses in the Columbia, SC area. Any suggestions?

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• MI

  

  Michael

  Jul 26, 2011

  I think on the level of memberships and resorts cost is a factor more than a desire not to go.  There are so many free options out there anymore a membership somewhere isn't really required, and even places that do offer memberships are not "members only" anymore so you can easily go in and if you do have the money spend it and go and enjoy even if it costs you 35.00 to someone else' 20.00 to get in.  I know when I went to the local nude resort I wouldn't have gone if a membership had been required, I almost didn't go anyway.  The resort was saying things like I had to be part of AANR and that I had to pay more as a single male, and I waas actively turned off to it.  When I was allowed to go no AANR status i was better, and just pretended that the single male pricing didn't bother me.  Beyond that not everyone feels comfortable inside gates.  There's a freedom of it, but at the same time you have to adhere to additional rules determined by the owner of the space.  At a beach or something the rules are simply the local governing laws... and if you aren't having a good time all you've lost is the trip there, not a membership or entry fee.

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• CO

  

  Curt, or Cowboy

  Jul 26, 2011

  [quote]I think on the level of memberships and resorts cost is a factor more than a desire not to go.[/quote] I've been an advocate of free with military or college ID for some time. Unfortunately, very few of my peers seem interested. Good idea ? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, trying wouldn't hurt.

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• CD

  

  Cheri Donna Dawson

  Jul 27, 2011

  Many clubs offer those between the ages of 18 & 25 reduced memberships. AANR even has a student membership of either 10 or $12.50 (I can't remember which right now).   Nonlanded clubs are a LOT less expensive than nudist parks and resorts.   I think a $25/year dues structure for someone of that age is pretty fair especially when to go to a movie costs $10.

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