I do not believe Public nudity should be legal, I do not know if this could cause more sexually attributed crimes, or perhaps Less

Absolutely. I often think of how convenient it would be to walk out of my house naked get in my car and run my errands on a nice summer day. Clothing requirements are ridiculous. Actually here in Ohio, women can go topless in public. A woman filed suit based on gender equality, as men were allowed to be topless so should women. I guess we are halfway there.

I’m a fan. I like the idea of less laundry, lol!

Good post and good question.

I, too, am a nudist (naturalist), but seldom am I naked. I live with roommates who would not be comfortable with me walking around without clothes on. My last roommate didn't care as much and had seen me naked (at a nude establishment twice) previously to us deciding to be roommates. So he's seen my stuff and I've seen his. Who cares? He did care sometimes and sometimes he didn't. I've never lived with a fellow naturalist.
So I keep my clothes on. Keeps people comfortable.

Public nudity, I believe, is a very healthy thing. The statistics you shared have been backed up multiple times by numerous studies. But are Americans ready to accept public nudity? Without question, the answer is a definitive no. Not even close to being ready. And I blame religion and insecurities inflicted by society (fueled partially advertising) for this.

The Bible teaches people to be shameful of their bodies. The "flesh" is a temptation that leads to evil. And to many, whether religious or not, a naked body is a sexual object. Not a healthy viewpoint, but it is a popular one.

I think many are afraid of the fine lines that might be crossed if public nudity became legal. If I may speak for men specifically for a moment. Let's suppose public nudity is written into law. If a man adjusts himself, is it a crime? If a man gets an accidental hard on in public, is he breaking the law? Is it harmful for children to see naked adults? Only if they are taught it is wrong. And they are taught that it is wrong. In a society that requires everyone to be clothed in public, it is the naked man who is a potential threat. That belief wouldn't go away in a generation if laws did change.

And what about one's own insecurities? People can't seem to get passed the fact that some people are slimmer than others, endowments vary from person to person, and everyone isn't beautiful under those layers of clothing. As naturalists, we know that isn't the point. Changing laws would actually, as you stated, would lessen insecurities. But not for this generation, I suspect. Positive self-esteem results wouldn't be seen until the first generation children born into a society where nothing is optional became adults. Americans are far from being that patient for results for anything. That, and for religious reasons, is why public nudity will never become permissible by law. But should it be law? Yes, I believe so. But, with current widely held beliefs, the belief that public nudity could create dangerous situations could result in self- fulfilling prophecy. Too many in our society believe nudity is a sexual thing. Since this brief is so widely accepted, it means it is also accepted by those who would cause harm. Unethical Exhibitionists and predators would halt any chance for public nudity to continue as permissible by law, even if it initially passed in the first place.

Numerous initial horror stories would force the law to be repealed. There just isn't enough time for public opinion and deep-seated beliefs to change. A law allowing public nudity would most likely produce the biggest outcry in American history. The unhealthy beliefs of the past thousands of years is deeply rooted in the minds of too many for there to even be a chance such a proposed bill would make it off the desk of a politician thinking of suggesting it to fellow Congress or Senate members. Such a rebel would undoubtedly be voted out of office when the time came or soon be removed from office.

So we, as a society, are stuck with our unhealthy body images and the Biblical teaching that man (people) should be ashamed of their nakedness. These perceptions aren't going away any time soon. And the very real fear of abuse is too prevalent for many to differentiate between potential danger and freedom of being without clothes.

Maybe it would work in some of the more atheistic countries in the world. Maybe. But, in the United States? It will never happen. Which is unfortunate. The results would show an increase in improved body image and be a freer way to live for many. But the positive results would be many years coming. And Americans and the citizens of other repressive countries with religious belief are way too impatient to wait around for over a generation to see a change in public opinion. If a change doesn't show immediate positive results, it will never happen.

Good post

Jeff ?

Legal, yes. Practiced, yes but with discretion.

It would be the end of Burningman lol

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.

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

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

Of course.

Should be 100% legal just like MJ or alcohol... It's your choice.

Absolutely. We've let religions make us ashamed of ourselves, see our bodies as 'obscene' for much too long. Freedom from the requirement of clothing would be a good step in reversing this ridiculous trend.

There is nothing wrong with nudity, but I for one am thankful for clothes. Should it be illegal to be nude in public? No, I guess not, but I won't be investing energy trying to reverse it.

Looks like carrying change is going to be a bit painful. What a stupid suggestion. It, in itself, is self-serving. This would now present a moral dilemma and a personal hygiene issue.

Sure if it's done in designated areas.
I don't think people should be walking around nude anywhere they want.

As you pointed out in your OP, even nudist events have people who have sexual agendas, what's to keep them from doing this in public on a city street? Hell, you could probably get on a subway in a large city right now and see someone exposing themselves.

There will always be someone who will abuse this privilege.

ones body is a beautiful thing if you feel beautiful even more so. To legislate this is typical of our prudish heritage. in ontario bare breasts are legal but no one bares them so probably one could do the same and legalise the lot. Small minded men could be a problem at first but after a generation who knows. not gonna happen either way.

There is a time and place for nudity. At the beach, in a park, hiking, biking, in the sauna but certainly not on public transport. Public nudity should be legal where appropriate.

Personally no one want to seem me naked, that being said I agree with SamL there is a time and a place.

I'm torn on this issue. Part of me thinks that the Muslims have a point. There is no way not to objectify attractive women in revealing/tight-fitting clothes if one is a heterosexual male. (Obviously I'm making a generalization......There are times when I don't do that.)

Another part of me thinks that public nudity would be very healthy for our society. Seeing lots of people naked would decrease curiosity. What I mean by that is that there are a lot of women who, by virtue of being attractive, cause me to wonder about what they'd look like naked. In many cases they wouldn't look that great and I'd be able to think about other things.

When I was younger I went to a couple of nude beaches. For the first half hour, or so, it seems quite strange. After that it seems quite normal. The nudity stops being a big deal.

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.

enjoy whatever you like.

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

Yes.
With perhaps designated 'clothing required' zones, where nudity is not allowed. For those who want to relax in a totally clothed environment.
I doubt it would make much difference, for the most part. Any time you are wearing a jacket, you are clothing for warmth, (or pockets) and you'd still do that.

It is a shame that the social culture in the USA makes having a human body something that we are all supposed to be ashamed of.

I'm all about freedom but I see people all over the place that I do not want to see naked. But that doesn't mean I'm going to start body shaming anyone, I just don't want to see them naked. If public nudity was legal then that would be forcing people to look at nakedness that they don't want to see. I think that is wrong. Just like we want religious people to keep there religion out of the way and don't force it on people I believe the same goes for nudity. People shouldn't be forced to view nakedness and they shouldn't be forced to hear preaching.