Nudism
Nudism, or naturism, is the practice of going nude or unclothed in social and usually mixed gender groups. It sometimes occurs furtively in secluded places in countries where appearing naked in public is illegal, but enjoys widespread acceptance in other areas of the world. Those who practice nudism are called nudists or naturists and they refer to those that don't as textiles. A minority opinion is that being naked with other people is necessarily always sexual, and that nudism is morally wrong or pornographic. Naturists universally reject this view.Naturism should not be confused with naturalism, the study of nature.
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2 History 3 Major nudist organizations 4 Public outdoor nudist areas 5 External Links |
Nudists believe that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of, being something that we all possess and ought to cherish.
Although the terms are used interchangably in this article, some would draw a distinction between the terms nudism and naturism. In this view a nudist is one who sometimes chooses to go without clothes. A naturist is one who embraces a philosophy that includes more than occasional nudity. Others would argue that the term naturism implies snobbery, and there is no distinction. A visit to a nude beach may entitle someone to be called a nudist, but does not make one a naturist. Changing and showering in a locker room probably does not qualify for either. Doing housework in the nude might. Many nudists do so casually at home. It might be noted that there is no requirement to be nude all the time. A common thought of nudists is being "always naked under my clothes."
Most nudists and nudist organizations maintain and try to enforce a no sex in public policy, (nude, not lewd) and it is rare to see obvious signs of sexual behaviour at most sites. These are the stereotypical family-oriented clubs and beaches. Some fringe groups and gatherings (such as Swingstock) are more like sex clubs and not considered by most to be examples of true nudism.
Some nudist organisations do not allow people with body piercings on their premises (presumably this rule refers to the foreign objects in the piercings, not to the piercings themselves). Most however accept people of all sizes, shapes and types including those with surgical scars, tattoos or interestingly trimmed (or absence of) hair. Some nudist organisations do not allow singles, see e.g. [1].
The first known nudist club, Freilichtpark (Free-Light Park), was opened near Hamburg in 1903. The nudist movement gained prominence in Germany in the 1920s, but was suppressed during the Nazi Gleichschaltung after Adolf Hitler came to power. Social nudism first appeared in Canada in British Co1umbia about 1939 and in Ontario nine years later.
Strong nudist organizations exist in Germany (there called FKK or Freikörperkultur), France and the Netherlands, and smaller such organizations exist in many other nations. Social nudity is practiced in many cultures, especially in the context of social bathing. However, these practices may not always be considered a part of naturism as a reaction against traditional Western norms regarding modesty.
Worldwide: International Naturist Federation/Federation Naturiste Internationale (INF/FNI) with member regional organizations in 30 countries.
Canada: the Federation of Canadian Naturists (FCN) and La Fédération Québécoise de Naturisme (FQN) are the two national nudist organizations.
Netherlands: has the Naturisten Federatie Nederland (NFN)
Spain: has the Federación Española de Naturismo (FEN)
United Kingdom: the national organisation is British Naturism, formerly known as CCBN (Central Council for British Naturism).
United States: the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS) are the two major nudist organizations.
General
History
Major nudist organizations
Public outdoor nudist areas
Belgium:
Brazil:
Canada:
Denmark:
- All beaches in Denmark are clothing-optional unless marked otherwise.
- Cap d'Agde, Quartier Naturiste (Nudist Quarter): sandy beach, several swimming pools, but also nude shopping, etc. [1]
- Saint Martin
- Munich, part of the Englischer Garten, near the city centre. Also, the western part of Feldmochinger See, in the northwestern suburbs.
- Almere, Zilverstrand
- Delft, Grote Plas, northeast side.
- Rijswijk, Wilhelmina Park, south side.
- Scheveningen, The Hague, sandy beach 1 km to the north.
- Zandvoort, sandy beach 2 km to the south.
- for more, see [1]
- Morfa Dyffryn, Gwynedd
- Budleigh Salterton, Devon
- Studland Bay, Dorset - most famous UK nudist beach, now officially approved (after years of controversy) by landowner the National Trust
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Fairlight Cove, East Sussex
- Leysdown East Beach, Kent
- St Osyth, Essex
- Corton Beach, Suffolk
- Holkham Beach, Norfolk
- Cleat's Shore, Isle of Arran
- Gunnison Beach, at Sandy Hook National Park, New Jersey (near Highlands; one hour ferry-ride from Manhattan). Biggest legal nude beach on the East Coast.
- Haulover Beach, in Miami-Dade County, Florida (between Sunny Isles Beach, Florida and Bal Harbour). Most popular nude beach in North America.
- McGregor Park (Hippie Hollow), in Austin, Texas on the shore of Lake Travis. Traditionally used for nude swimming since the formation of the lake in the late 1940's. The park was officially placed under management by Travis County in the mid 1980's and remains officially clothing-optional.
