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Should public nudity be legal?

The AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation) has the view that public nudity should be legal as long as the person is not doing anything with the intent of sexually arousing either themselves or anyone else.

The most stated reason by members is to get over "body shame", because doing so helps boost self esteem and confidence. There have been studies showing that children raised in nudist family have higher self esteem and confidence and are just generally more comfortable with who they are as a person.

On the other side there are those persons who seek out nude beaches and nudist events who have seual agendas. AANR nudist clubs don't tolerate such persons, and forcibly remove them shoudl they show up. I refer to such persons as "swingers" because they seem to fit the swinger lifestyle more than they do the nudist lifestyule

However, as a point of freedom. A freedom of expression, which does tno do harm to anyone, shoudl public nudity be legal? As atheists are nto burdened with religious mores , I was just wondering what the people here think?

I am a natuirst (nudist) and I have ridden the Portland (OR) World Naked Bike Ride, which has over 10,000 participants each year, and I have gone on nude hikes, visited clothing optional beaches

So, what are your thoughts?

snytiger6 9 Oct 18
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308 comments (76 - 100)

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3

I grew up in Florida.Before there were amusements and attractions in my town it was much like a deserted island with beach cottages. The reason people came was to fish and to sunbathe. The agenda was for maximum sun exposure. I grew up seeing old men in speedo's and granny's in string bikinis. Children of both sexes in underwear and topless. If you wanted more exposure you went to the far end of the beach where it was understood that more skin was going to be exposed. If folks were going to be offended, (out of town visitors.) they were kept away. Fat people, skinny people. Work uniforms were shorts and sleeveless tops for women, and cut-off shorts and work boots for men. Women had nursing circles on the front porches of public buildings. Folks were respected and not sexualized. I loved that world, and wish I could go back to it.

Donna Level 6 Dec 28, 2017

And it's gone because of religion and patriarchy.

Sadly so...

1

No. There are too many hygiene risks. As my brother (EPA prosecutor, so he may be a little bitter) puts it "Most people can't properly manage a flush toilet, let alone serious hygiene risks."

I suppose that is why we have laws that require hygiene under certain circumstances. I am all for such laws.

Making nudity legal does not mean there would not be limitations or regulations. For instance even speech is regulated under some circumstances, such as it is illegal to yell fire in a theater or auditorium. Above I already mention the limitation that a naked person should not be doing anything with the intent of sexually arousing either themselves or anyone else. Other limitations would very likely be needed to insure hygienic protections... because some people are just idiots and/or assholes in regards to being considerate of others.

@snytiger6 The limitations needed to make general public nudity sufficiently hygienic would most likely amount to see-through clothing, Which rather defeats the purpose. All beaches being clothing optional, parks the same, probably public swimming pools but I'd want input from the managers of such. These would be reasonable options. Nudity on public transport would be both invasive and grotty. If we could limit the close contact into which people come it would probably be reasonably safe. I suspect that clothing is the easier option.

0

I don't see why not but clothes are quite handy for keeping warm, protecting from the elements and hiding those occaisional moments of inappropriate arousal 🙂

"Inappropriate"? Only by the church's definition.

What is "inappropriate", really? Society needs to get a grip on the whole "can't bear to even think about sexual reality". If society didn't have all the repressed sexuality issues, you wouldn't pop a boner when you saw a naked woman.

I think my 'popping a boner' may be due to evoloution or biology but I'm quite happy to blame the church for it, if it gets me out of trouble 😉

1

No as the majority of people who want to be naked in public should not be !!

Definitions of "beauty" are arbitrary and have varied from one culture to another. It is only recently, with easy world communication that that has been any general agreement. Too bad it currently centers on models with eating disorders and Photoshopped pictures that create a totally unrealistic standard of what beauty is. Nobody can maintain the current standards of beauty forever.

Naturists/Nudists in general are not so judgemental as society in general. No matter wha tyou look like, you are generally accepted. Judgements are reserved for how you act and behave and not in how you look.

@snytiger6 yeah heard that excuse countless times but I still stand by what I said

0

PublIc nudIty must be banned,It doesn`t hIghlIght decentness of character. Human cIvIlIzatIon Invented cloths to cover theIr body. ClothIng should be decent to show,not be vulger to see. Decent clothIng Is a symbol of modernIsm , and nudIty Is a symbol of backwardness.

FAIZ Level 5 Mar 26, 2018

A lot of ideas from modern society came from Ancient Greece which idealized the nude body. In the ancient Olympics athletes competed in the nude. In ancient Greece and Rome clothign was more for warmth and protection than it was a sign of "beign civilized".In many cultures, although they wore clothing, thee was no shame associated with nudity. Shame for the nude body is a learned trait.

@snytiger6 clothing is actually being associated with civilised society, don't be panic,if ur daughter or sister roam arround u being naked what would u do? Will u support ? Or support them to be naked,clothing must be decent not be vulgar. Beleive or not but nudity seems good for others when a chance comes to apply it on ourseleves then tenets become change.

2

Americans tend to be very puritanical. many countries in the world accept peoples desire to be naked in certain places, like the beach. in Spain there is no nudity law so you can be naked anywhere you like, which I think is excellent as I love being nude.
In America I believe that you can be put on the sex ofender register for being naked in public.when did being naked turn you into a sex offender? crazy

Technically, in some states, but not all, just beign naked can put you on a sex offenders list. In Washington State is specifically beign naked in front of children. Evidently the law makers of various states ,made the presumption, in their small perverted minds, that if you are naked then you must be wanting to do something sexual.

As many people only get naked for either bathing or sex, for many it is hard to imagine beign naked outside of one of those two contexts. Feeling ashmaed of nudity and of your body is a learned behavior, which seems to go unquestioned as to whether or not it is healthy or reasonable. Many states in the U.S. reflect the nonthinking, and blind acceptance of presumptions which are rooted in religion and religious ideas.

In the U.S. a lot of our culture still carries the religious idea that authority is nto to be questioned, especially with conservatives, and religion teaches or rather demands that people do not question their authority.

So, people are taught to feel shame about nudity and to be ashamed of their bodies, and they seldom question whether or not they actually should feel ashamed.

It's a form of cultural dysfunction.

Not strictly true these days - although it was more tolerated 40 years ago, at the end of the Franco era. Nowadays, certain beaches are designated OK for nudity, but there must be signs informing the public of the fact. That way one can choose whether to rush on to the beach or shun it.

2

There just aren't very many people l want to see naked, especially in a restaurant.

Of course there wold have to be some regulation for hygienic purposes.

It really isn't about "seeing" people, so much as it is about personal freedom.

@snytiger6 No, it is definitely about seeing people.

0

Do you know why many men reject Nudism?

I think the reasons probably vary greatly, but the majority have probably been taught to be ashamed of their own bodies, and also taught to shame other people's bodies as well, as a way of trying to make themselves feel superior.

@snytiger6 No. LOL

2

I don’t have an opinion about nudity being legal, but it should not be illegal, if that makes sense.

I think I get your point there.

As another respondent pointed out, each person should be free to choose. Laws agains tnudity are mor eaobut controlling people than they are abbout providing any actual benefit to society.

One of my favorite T-Shirts reads "If we were meant to be naked, we'd have been born that way."

2

In terms of legality: sure, why not. But there's like spiders and car exhaust in the world, you know. It could be a public health issue, if anything. Some people don't wipe right, and then they go into a bus and sit down - kind of what Victoria's talking about. Yeah, actually, the legality of it would hinder on the health thing. I was with it, and in real time, as I wrote this, I changed my answer to: nevermind. Can't some VD's spread by surface contact? Not sure. If anything events like your bike ride are cool, but having your goods out while you commute or operate a forklift, not the safest or most sanitary thing. That's just one realm of the "public" arena, though.

It is considered proper etiquette in nudist culture to carry towels to sit on for hygienic purposes.

8

Since hygiene has been mentioned several times, I should make it clear the proper nudist etiquette in nudist culture is to carry a towel to sit on for hygienic purposes.

Also, most nudists do agree that clothing is needed under some circumstances for warmth and/or protection. I think protection includes crowded areas where pervs may try to take advantage.and try to grope.

Nudism/Naturism is not exhibitionism. It is just some of us feel more physically comfortable without clothing to restrict us and we liek to feel the sun and wind on our bare skin.

Because so few people experience beign nude outside of sex or bathing I find they often find it hard to imagine nudity outside of those contexts.

3

As long as no one makes me do it. I couldn’t stand the embarrassment.

gearl Level 8 Oct 25, 2017

A lot of the point of nudism is to get over feeling ashamed of one's body. I think it is criminal tht we are taught to feel embarrassment and shame over how we look, and are taught that the ideal beauty is what we see in photos that are all touched up and altered to a point that it is impossible to reach in real life.

1

nope, social contract

The thing about contracts,even social cottracts, is that they can be modified, changed or even broken.

3

I am good with people using dedicated space for this practice. There are just too many ways people could abuse this that contemplating it makes me uneasy.

I agree that there probably shoudl be designated places for the practice, but on the other hand, I think people shoudl also be allowed to be nude outside of designated places if they so choose. If they choose to rake on the risks of such actions that is their choice. However, I think few would choose to do so, just as few persons choose to park a brand new car in South Central Los Angeles (a crime ridden area). People so mostly use common sense to reduce their risks.

Anyway, changes in public nudity laws would have to be gradual, to alloow for cultural adaptation. No responsible legislators would go from a total ban on nudity to allowing nudity everywhere over night. That would likely be chaotic.

It would be more like in Europe, where they would designate sections of public parks where nude sunbathing is legal, and sections of beaches stc...

1

No, it should not be. Just because you want to be naked all the time (which I'm not against), there are many out there who would be uncomfortable about seeing it and others who would be outright hateful and hurtful!
It's for your own safety that so far, full public nudity is still illegal.
There is however, at least one State that I know of, New York, which allows women to appear topless in public.

The states of Vermont and Oregon have pretty nude friendly laws. In Oregon, you can legally be nude anywhere if you are protesting. The oregon State Supreme Court ruled that nudity is protected under the State's constitution. The wording of the decision is clear about protests, but vague about other situations.

2

For us truly pale people it would require a coat of SPF not invented as yet. I'd rather wear clothing. That being said one of the first Nudist Camps in America was just a few miles from my doorstep growing up. And hey Big Bird is a nudist! So no - no problems with nudism - but I think sticking to clubs/beaches places it's accepted is just fine.

While visiting a friend in Palms Springs, where the high temperatures were 110-120F, I was introduced to Nutrogena sun screen (I am talking about he creme that somes in a tube, nto hte spray). I found with just one application, I could go in and out of the water all day without burning or having to reapply it. It is expensive, but well worth it. I have never burned while wearing it, no matter how much time I spent in the sun. Abotu a minute after you put it on it is dry to the touch, so you dont' get on clothes if you put clothes on over it. Anyway, if you are fair skinned, it shoudl allow you to be in the sun for much longer. You will still fell warm, but definitely won't be as apt to burn.

11

My opinion is that public nudity should be legal. I lived in areas where there was a much greater degree of public nudity. I believe genetalia were often covered for protective reasons as these were more sensitive areas (injury wise - men & women) and for sanitary reasons. what was interesting was that nakedness was much more of an issue for those who were clothed than naked.

Whilst in Germany a friend and I realised we were in a naked sports complex when guys were wandering around starkers and we were in swimming trunks. The laughing Germans caused my friend to state that he felt embarrassed to be clothed so we went back to the lockers and got nudie. It was a "unisex" complex and all sexes used the same changing rooms and all facilities. There was no sexual innuendo or lewd behaviour. It was actually a pleasant experience to be there.

In the UK, the laws are not straight forward. I have included a link to a Wikipedia entry about a (in)famous naked rambler [en.wikipedia.org]

Wow. Interesting story. Hope society gets over its warped attitudes soon. Clothing only when naturally necessary.

3

American's in general are hypocritical prudes and the rise of christian fundamentalism recently (christian fundamentalists overwhelmingly support Trump) would seem to hinder the chance of any liberalization in this regard.

I am thinking (or a least hoping) that Trump will push too hard and too far and there will be a societal push back in the other direction.

1

On,y if you look good nekkid. ????

Beautiful nakedness is in the eye of the beholder.

9

Sure why not..unfortunately..too many people sexualize the human body..I went to a festival last summer..there was a beautiful family..mom..dad..two young kids..boy and girl..walking around fully nude..they looked happy and at home in their skin...their children were playing and never even acted like they acknowledged their nakedness...people need to stop sexualizing...the human body is not just for sex..I have no issues with nudists..can have full conversations with them and not stare ...woman who breastfeed should do it with abandon...no one should be looking down upon another's life choices as long as they are not impeaching on your rights...

yes, what you describe, is the way things shoudl be.

1

I disagree. I think nudity should have it is own places not public ones

What are your reasons for this opinion?

3

The only problems I see from nudity are in the eye of the beholder.
Naked skin is fetishized in most western cultures it would seem.
General, shameless nudity seems the only cure.
Hiding nudity from children does not seem a solution but more a perpetuation of what I would call unhealthy attitudes towards our bodies. A recurrent theme in the objections to it seems to be, ~ I will see something I do not like. ie Young girls naked are fine but old men are detestable. I see things and people I do not like all the time. I do not find this at all crippling. i think if we can get over the packaging we may begin to be concerned more with what is on the inside.

The first time I went to a nude beach, Within an hour, the nudity all around me was no big deal. Even though it took several trips before I went nude myself, I strted to see nudity as "normal".

If nudity is normalized. then it is no big deal.

Yeah, there will be obese people, but at the nude beach, i hear a lot less derogatory comments than I her in public places where everyone is clothed. Beauty value judgements are mostly learned. They can be unlearned (or better yet not learned in the first place). Too many people equate beauty and beign sexually attractive as they saem thing, but they are not. Everyone at some time in their life has seen someone who was physiclly beautiful to whom they were not attracted to sexually. The serialization of the human body, or rather seeing every human body in terms of sexual attractiveness and making a beauty judgement on that basis has not made for a better world or society.

Naked is natural. Clothign is unnatural. Why do we mostly choose to live so out of touch with nature?

2

Why not, we are ALL born naked, it is only conventions dictated originally by religious beliefs that as modern humans we MUST be clothed in front of others.

One of my favortite T-shirts reads "If we were meant to be naked, We'd have been born that way".

1

O hell no! Some things should not be seen! I'm fairly certain no one wants to see me naked 🙂

It isn't about being seen. It is more aobut having the self confidence and aelf assurance enough to not care if you are seen, and just enjoying the freedom in movement without clothes and experience the sun wind and/or rain as nature intended.

2

Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: I believe so but in a kind of regulated manner. It may sound odd but as mentioned in some of the comments/replies the within the nudist/naturalist culture people carry around towels for when they sit down. However, if one legalizes nudity across the board not everyone who is now going to go around naked sometimes will abide by that standard. Also, it would bring into question many laws about decency and even sexual assault. Yes, there is nothing inherently indecent about the naked form but if nudity is legal across the board then people who get arrested for things like flashing may be able to make more of a case - "My coat just blew open, they took it wrong." "Nothing illegal about being naked, chicks shouldn't have looked" - or if people didn't like a person being naked they could claim they were behaving inappropriately; again the nudist culture around sexual nakedness would likely not transmit to the rest of society. Let's also not forget how it is legal for vendors to kick someone out for not wearing shoes or a shirt and the same would happen for nudists - so that may have to be dealt with as well. To help combat these issues there would have to some sort of regulation or additional caveats legal nudity (until there is a cultural shift large enough where these issues wouldn't be a problem) these regulations may be from anywhere to requiring someone to use a towel is nude to only being nude on public land.

I've read all the replies and yours is one that seems to be more thought out than the knee jerk responses a few person put out there. Our society could not handle an "overnight" change, but it would have to be adopted gradually with clear regulations for purposes of public safety (and hygiene) so that people could adjust and adapt in a gradual and sensible way.

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