Is Naturism in Decline?

[eyesup]

Is Naturism in Decline?
Looking for somrthing else and found this,
http://www.chatbocks.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4605

I think we were discussing this elsewhere about how many practice nudism, naturism or other variants at home or prefer to go to a CO facility. I can see the advantage of a facility as I would be hard pressed to find the opportunity to walk freely totally naked with the kind of access to be found at a place like De Anza Springs.

It is also just as liberating to find local spots to do the same and to find time and places to do so at home. I think Bob says it well that we should avoid trying to pigeonhole people based on behavior.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

A nudist or naturist merely defines a part of the person. It is true that these definitions are affected by current clothing obsessed standards, but we are being defined by others. I may be having trouble with this, as I have always seemed to think of myself as a freak, because of my tendency to veer off of the perceived social norms. I’ve never thought of that as a bad thing, because it’s individuality and awakeness. Until we become a known majority, I am figuring that waving a freak flag of a label might be a handy tool to social change.

Another way of explaining this, one might compare the following and apply it to what I’m considering. We have a majority that calls themselves “Christian” in this country. But what does that mean? The spectrum is very “normal” people to fundamentalist, and zealots, and the other side of the spectrum, and amazingly diverse behaviors amongst the whole. Christians even self-label.



 Naturism is in decline?  I don’t believe that is the fact. Organized social nudism is declining. Maybe social nudism is, too. But, people are still being naked everywhere. It is natural.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Trouble with that thread of posts is that, except for the initial observations that membership in some cases is down, everyone else is data poor and opinion rich.  I don't think any new knowledge was shared in that post except the initial stats which the discussion quickly identifies as possibly being due to a shift in naturist practice rather than a decline per se.  So I don't think you can conclude anything about change in numbers.

John

[jbeegoode]

Nude tourism is still thriving and growing, fact. The TNS polling figures go back showing fluctuations, but steady increases of nude behavior.
jbee

[Greenbare Woods]

Nude tourism is still thriving and growing, fact. The TNS polling figures go back showing fluctuations, but steady increases of nude behavior.
jbee

Membership in AANR and similar organizations has shown a steady decline of about 1% per year for several years, according to them.   There are persistent reports that membership in such organizations is aging and not being replaced by younger members.  And then there are old former members like myself who haven't darkened their doors for years.  Meanwhile there is a lot of evidence that the general public, and especially younger people, are more accepting of human bodies than any time in the past century.  Seems to me that the problems at AANR and similar groups are caused by their own hidebound arrogance.  Too many rules, too willing to dictate what makes a "real nudist,"  too many prejudices and intolerances.  Stephen Gough has done more for nudism in the UK than BN, and they do nothing but attack him.

Seems to me that general "Free Body" or Natural human beings, are becoming more common almost everywhere, everywhere but fenced in reserves of the "hide your body shame" industry.  People are going naked on the streets of New York City, Melbourne, and in the Scottish highlands.  The organizations, the naked farms, need to get with the times or they will become a footnote of history.  New organizations like "Young Naturists" are going their own way.  Just my opinion.

[nudewalker]

Memberships in many organizations have declined. My theory is two fold; one, being the overall "me" generation who don't feel any loyalty and two, the cost/return ratio in that the price paid does not equal or exceed the benefits. I doubt if naturism is on the decline just the organized aspect of it.

[jbeegoode]

Yea, I'm, pretty much with you, all points, Bob. Particularly, "The organizations, the naked farms, need to get with the times or they will become a footnote of history." I feel certain that they will be a footnote in history, but for now, they provide a few harbors in a storm. The travel industry, many resorts, and cruise lines are doing fine, but the demographics are not filled with younger people. The young don't generally want to hang out with people that seem like their parents, until they become parents, or older themselves. TNS is adapting, but they have always been made up of the more free range. The Young Naturists tell us that. They are oriented to the world differently, they communicate differently. The organization is very small, just a beginning. so far. They are the answer to ANRR that TNS was in the beginning.

The new TNS poll has this useful information:
Likelihood of considering a clothing-optional beach skews young. Among the 18-29 year old cohort, 43% said they were likely. The percentage among older cohorts who considered themselves likely remains above the overall average, until the age reaches 65+, where it drops off rapidly.[30-49: 32%,   50-64: 30%,   65+: 10%]

 I see designated reservations as a stepping stone for many and a training camp. This shows the young as more adventurous, in spite of not showering during gym, depictions of nudity as sex, and the repressive timber of the authorities. I think it works like abstinence programs, kids grow and question their world and follow their nature.

In answer to the question, “Have you, personally, ever gone skinny-dipping or nude sunbathing with others?” the stats are up 10% in the last 10 years.

Female clothing is becoming incrementally more revealing as a norm. It has gone from okay to showing your underwear, to okay to be seen in your underwear. Even new fashion often looks like lingerie. Different kinds of body types are becoming popular. They are sparked by, “big butts,” for example. The rampant over weight problems, create a notion of norm that is new. Visions of more “normal’ or “flawed’ bodies instead of media ideal are showing up, without negative stereotypes attached.
Just sayin’ that we’re getting there, ain’t there, but we’ll all arrive.
Jbee
 

[Naked_Archer]

Memberships in many organizations have declined. My theory is two fold; one, being the overall "me" generation who don't feel any loyalty and two, the cost/return ratio in that the price paid does not equal or exceed the benefits. I doubt if naturism is on the decline just the organized aspect of it.

I think you hit the nail on the head there nudewalker.  For me, in the central belt of Scotland, I'm quite lucky in that there are two naturist swim sessions I can go to.  However they are around 45 to 60 minutes drive each way, for only 2 or 3 hours.  So by the time you add cost of fuel, entry fees, is it good value for money?  Generally yes, but not every weekend!   I certainly wouldn't be wanting to drive for longer than the swim session lasts! 

[milfmog]

Stephen Gough has done more for nudism in the UK than BN, and they do nothing but attack him.

Bob,

I don't know where you have got those two opinions from, but I have to confess that neither one stacks up with my view of things from the UK.
Firstly, I don't think that SG has done anything at all for nudism. Most people seem to think of him either as nutter or an eccentric, but I have yet to hear anyone call him a naturist or nudist and, outside naturist circles, I have not heard anyone express an opinion at all without being pushed into it.

As for BN attacking him, that is nonsense. Some Bn members may have done so, but then some BN members are rabid conservatives and others come from the other end of the political spectrum. All that proves is that naturists come in many shades. The official BN line is largely to ignore him although help has been offered to him by the organisation a number of times and has consistently been turned down.

Have fun,


Ian

[Peter S]

SG has also repeatedly disassociated himself from naturism. In a recent radio interview he described naturists as people who turn up the heating so they can be naked round the house, which he would never do. So although there is much popular confusion between Steve and naturism, ne'er the twain shall meet.

Peter

[eyesup]

My impression is that the young people are probably naked more than I am but they are more social in their nudism and do not frequent the resorts. From what I have read they seem to have fewer hang-ups about being naked than older people.

Duane
 

[eyesup]

I think you hit the nail on the head there nudewalker. . .  However they are around 45 to 60 minutes drive each way, for only 2 or 3 hours.  So by the time you add cost of fuel, entry fees, is it good value for money?

The park where I no longer go naked hiking, was the closest. That’s why I went there so often. Others I have been to can take 45 min. to an hour one way, depending on traffic. I try to stay at least 4 hrs., weather permitting. It’s worth it.

Duane

[Dario Western]

I don't think naturism is in decline.  Rather, it's evolving as the younger generations are taking it to a different level outside of established clubs and beaches. 

[jbeegoode]

I don't think naturism is in decline.  Rather, it's evolving as the younger generations are taking it to a different level outside of established clubs and beaches.

If this is so, then they are scattered. There is no cohesive education or encouragement. I would suppose that the gathering place and the information source would be here on the net for these people. That makes what happens here and on the net the important vehicle to social change.

It would be a good thing to coin the "free range naturism" tag, or term, in the mass media, somehow. The concept found here is aligned with what you call "a different level outside of established clubs and beaches." Ultimately, the ideal is that nudity should not feel like a crime, humiliation, shameful, dangerous, or out of place. Maybe it would be a social faux pas to wear it to a black tie dinner, maybe not. But, good, healthy, well-being and natural are the connotations and images the body deserves. "I'm naked and this is healthy for me. So, I'm doing something good for myself," is a very positive mindset.

It is still important for people to have a solid place to experiment hands-on in. A level of comfort needs to be learned. They need to know and project that naked people are nice people, safe people. That's what the early clubs tried to project as an image to attract people and gain acceptance.
Jbee

[eyesup]

I agree Jbee.

When it becomes unnecessary to tag, label or promote this optional method of living then we won't have to worry about any repercussions.

Are we at the front end of this kind of reaction? Maybe. But not likely. It's a nice image though.

Duane