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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 (101 - 125)

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3

The US is populated by a bunch of prudes. Why not, and I go to events (clothed or nude) to meet people that may have common interests. If sex is part of that then great!

3

If you live by yourself, you can do what you want. If you live in the society of others, then you need to pay attention to what bothers them, or you won't be accepted or happy. And, when nude, bring a towel to sit on.....

3

Aesthetically speaking ... Hell No! LOL

3

Public nudity? I think it should only be legal in designated areas that are at least somewhat secluded such as beaches, resorts, camp sites and parks. I don't think its a good idea for nudity to be allowed in most public places. If the U.S. was a better, safer, and more tolerant nation in which women and children aren't abused and molested on a daily basis then I'd probably be more open to the idea, but there are just too many shitty people in this country and open public nudity would too often be pouring gasoline on the fire of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance.

3

It's legal in Spain. Except for Barcelona, which has its own local byelaws. In theory, you have a legal right to be naked anywhere else in Spain. Most non-tourist beaches in Spain are clothing optional.

In the UK, it's theoretically legal everywhere, too. But that doesn't mean that certain laws can't be applied. The favourite (assuming there's no sexual activity) is Section 5 of the Public Order Act of 1986. Something which could be used to criminalise walking on the cracks in the pavement, as long as you could convince 'a reasonable person' to find it offensive.

Just by way of clarification: the troublesome pervs are not 'swingers', they're troublesome pervs. The tendency for naturists/nudists to lump everyone with a sexual agenda into the 'swingers' bucket is incredibly frustrating for those who try to lead a consensual sexual lifestyle, with a similar degree of respect to non-swingers as most naturists show towards non-naturists. The troublesome pervs aren't welcome in swinging circles, either.

Naturism loves to dwell on its fear of being infiltrated by swingers, when in fact it has a far more serious problem. I've lost count of the number of naturists I've seen exposed as paedophiles and child pornography collectors. Naturism offers them access to child nudity. Swinging is adults only, and therefore does not.

You have a point. Not all the problems are from swingers, but would be better classified as "troublesome pervs" as you put it. I admit, I was just beign lazy about fully explaining, as it takes a lot longer, and I didn't want to introduce too much information at one time, because in the U.S., people are usually ignorant of fine distinctions. They have years of misinformation. I took the easy road and separated everyone into just two groups, the nudsits and naturists who enjoy platonic nude recreation, and the rest who seek out nudist places because they have some sort of sexual agenda, whether they are swingers, pedophiles, voyeurs, exhibitionists or some sort of sexual predator. However, pedophiles and sexual predators generally don't usually go to nudist places, as they almost always seek places of seclusion metnioning them upfront would immediately get up everyone's guard and spark fer, and the conversations would not be about thier attitudes towards nudity, but about things that are no more of a concern in nudist places than in clothed places. That is my excuse/justification for taking the "easy way out" in my categorizations.

I really wish the U.S. was much better educated and did not have so much misinformation. I wanted to see what attitudes about nudity were, and I seem to accomplished that. I am surprised that I am still getting responses almost everyday.

Here in the UK, naturism does seem to attract paedophiles. I've been a member of a club that had one member kicked out after it was revealed that he was on the sex offender's register for something to do with photos of his young granddaughter. What was most alarming was that a number of other club members knew about this and kept quiet. The same club had one member arrested after it transpired that he'd been repeatedly raping both of his step-children. He's probably still in prison (I hope so.)

There have been a few high profile exclusions from British Naturism, including their Yorkshire area representative a few years back. He was caught viewing child pornography in work (I think he was more of a sexual thrill seeking risk taker and taboo breaker than anything) and a raid on his house revealed an extensive collection of over 100,000 images, some of which fell into the worst classification of child sexual abuse.

The obvious appeal of naturism/nudism to someone with a sexual interest in children is a massive elephant in the room. Without training to be a Physical Education teacher (and going through all kinds of vetting) where else are you likely to get an opportunity to observe under 18's without clothes? I find it frustrating that naturism chooses to focus on a 'threat' supposedly posed to grown adults by swingers, while largely ignoring a very real threat to children.

Perhaps things are different in the US. But given that (admittedly a good few years ago) I stumbled across a 'secret' group on the Internet, detailing US nudist resorts for incestuous families, I doubt it's really that much different. The fact that many believe otherwise is down to the facade that naturism/nudism manages to maintain.

Though you're far from alone in 'othering' swingers. I used to do it myself. It's easy to dump everyone with any kind of sexual agenda into the same pile of pervs, and naturism/nudism routinely uses this tack to distance 'genuine' naturists from any impropriety. The reality is that most swingers are very respectful, and discreet to the point of paranoia just as so many naturists are. They wouldn't dare to do a lot of stuff that the pervs get up to. They would be too concerned about being exposed as practitioners of their lifestyle.

3

Absolutely, but in certain places & situations. I doubt it would be appreciated at work, but there are designated clothing optional places. You can always go nude in your own home.

Most nudists/naturists think the ideal job is one where you can work naked. Many telecommute from home (work from home over the internet) in order to accomplish that.

3

I grew up in France and there are plenty of places where you can be nude. Any beach women can be topless. It never bothered me and people do as they please.

3

I was just thinking about March 1974 when the "streaking" fad swept American college campuses. It was funny!! At one college, 1200 students removed their clothes and pranced around campus buck nekked. The police could not do anything. No room in the jail for 1200 illegal nekked bodies. There was a lot of mooning going on, too. Lots of people just laughed their buns off. Religious people were horrified and angry. Man, was that funny!

SKH78 Level 8 Dec 19, 2017
3

It would be good to have clothing optional beaches. I wear modest clothing but each to their own.

SKH78 Level 8 Dec 19, 2017

I used tojus twer modest clothing, but I don't like having tan lines Tan lines just dont' llook natural to me, and if nude, they draw attention to the non-tanned areas as if highlighting them.

3

I'm not sure where to start.
On one hand the idea that men can have their shirt off and women can't basically pisses me off. I hate that duble standert.
I'm sort of ticked off at how the US is rather prudish about nudity as well societal norms about body image that really hurts a lot of people that try to fit body stereotypes, or people who shame others who otherwise have fine normal bodies.

However from another side of this nudity usually makes me uncomfortable but I'm also wondering if that is also my own internalized shame taught by society. I have extreme low self-esteem and for the most part wish I could feel comfortable naked but most of the time I'm covered in layers.
I think part of it is the view on nudity and being nude equated with sex in mass media.
Also from a sexual trauma background there are some who have made nudity or mostly flashing as a weapon.

Basically I can see no reason why nudity should not be legal, however it is not legality that needs to change first, but societies views on nudity.

Tess Level 3 Dec 14, 2017

I agree in that society's viewsof nudity needs to be changed to be more positive.

3

I don't know dude but topless is definitely allowable in my book at least ;D

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?

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.

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...

3

Bit difficult whilst shopping ... But otherwise ,who cares ?

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.

3

Tough call. Until the age of 50 I was a nude life drawing model, but decided that I was too old for it and was getting too heavy too. I think as long as no kids are naked nor they see adults naked I see no issue with it, would I do it? no, would I have 5 years ago? yes.

3

If you have any respect for yourself and others, no it should not be legal. I would not appreciate having to sit where a naked body just sat or stand next to someone not wearing some kind of clothing.

Etiquette in nudist culture says you carry a twoel with you to sit on for hygienic purposes.

As to self respect, I think to feel shame over your own body, is showing a lack of selg respect. I think respect in general is to accept people as they are, as opoosed to what clothes they are wearing. I've been to the nude beaches and nudist clubs and without clothing people treat each other equitably, which is treating each oher with more respect than I have seen in clothed society. Without clothing to denote status everyone is seen as being more equal.

2

I do believe it should be legal but i am also honest enough to say that i would be afraid of embarrassing myself due to arousal. I would feel that i was being discourteous, even though it was an involuntary action lol. The hope would be i suppose that familiarity would breed contempt. But in the initial stages it would be hard (cheap pun i couldn't resist ?).

For persons who have nto experienced social nudity, but have only been naked either for sex or bathing, a first time social nudity experience may cause a man to inadvertantly get hard, because the body has been conditioned to think "naked equals sex". I myself spent the first few minutes at a nude beach laying on my stomach until the problem went away. Then I got used to being naked, and never had such an issue again.

So yeah, it hapens. Generally nudist etiquette says that you just ignore it and do nothign to draw attention to it and let it go away on its own.

personally I prefer nudist clubs to nude beachees. Much different atmosphere.

You can always take care of yourself beforehand.

It might happen at first, but like most things, you become numb to it. After a while it's just another set of tits. Honestly, you can see almost everything at most beaches today anyway with some bikinis. Do you keep a raging boner at the beach all day when and if you go?

2

The question was should it be legal not should it be compulsory lol ???

Well, yes. Being able to choose is the whole point.

2

This is how the law near my hometown in Colorado looks at going topless anyway. "Female toplessness is allowed in the cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Boulder, since these cities do not make any distinction between female toplessness and male bare chested". Drives the bible thumpers nuts. They keep taking it to court...and the court rulings keep slapping them down. Quite a few legal social nudity places in the US and World: [en.wikipedia.org]

Nice to know that Colorado is pregressive i some places. I knew Boulder ws progressive, but had the impression that the rest of th state was mired in conservatism.

I do like to hear about the bible thumpers being beaten back, and human rights trumping religious dogmas.

2

I love to go skinny-dipping. My body moving through the water feels wonderful but not sexual in any way. When it comes to dry land my feet need protection and arch supports. I can't imagine riding a bicycle naked. Surely naked bike riders have a special seat because the bicycle seats I've seen would be dangerous. In other words, I like the protection of clothing When I visit most places.

I've done the Portland (OR) World Naked Bike Ride a few times, which attracts over 10,000 riders each year. Some peopel may use soem kind of set cover, but I've never seen a special seat used.

2

Hell, no. Since age 15 when I developed breasts, I have been catcalled, grabbed, molested, nearly raped, forcibly kissed, sexually assaulted, stalked, raped in 2008, and sexually harassed by men. Nudity would make it much worse.

I want the protection of clothing.

In Hawaii, my date took me to a nude beach without telling me in advance. I wore a bikini. Three-quarters of the people were men trolling for naked women. Ugh.

2

I think the human body is beautiful and we shouldn’t hide it. Hiding something creates a “taboo” about that thing, in this case the human body, such that it can cause shame. I’m for ppl going nude...I just won’t do it because I’m full of that body shame. Lol

2

Yes. As long as it hurts no one, people should legally be allowed to do whatever they want. If you prefer to wear clothes, fine. If you think you look better or feel better with or without, go for it. The nudity taboo and laws, like many things in this country, are expressions of the deeply-rooted patriarchical authoritarian church. It's so deeply rooted that many of us can't distinguish what we really feel from what has been beaten into us by the oppressors.

ErikK Level 6 Jan 17, 2019
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