Home
My Info
People
Mail
Search
Media
Events
ExtrasMy Groups 
Absolute Naturists If Nudity was Legal, Would it Become Commonplace?
| If social and public nudity were legal, would it become commonplace? I read a on-going court case in Canada and the following excerpt led me to this question for you: "While decriminalizing mere nudity is an important principle, it is unlikely to lead to any significant changes in Canada. Fifteen years after Gwen Jacob won the right for women to be topfree in Ontario, it is still almost non-existant anywhere. Similarly, it is highly unlikely that nudity would become commonplace if it was decriminalized. The social pressure to conform is just too great for most people. What are your thoughts? | |
| If public nudity were to become legal undoubtedly there are some hard-core nudists, like me, who might take advantage of the new legality and appear nude on public streets, but I believe that most nudists would not. There seem to be far too many of us who have a great fear of being seen while nude by others who are not, or of being photographed while nude. For many of us nudity is something we are willing to do only in our private retreats, which is unfortunate. How can we hope to gain more acceptance if we act like were embarrassed or ashamed of what we do? | |
| In all honesty...I think I'd try it out in certain places first before I started expanding my nudity in public. I'd go get the mail, get the newspaper, set up the lawn sprinkler, do some cleaning out front. I'd go to the gas station and fill up, drive nude with my windows down...might even go for a walk in the mornings like I used to before a naggin' injury flared, ride my bike around the neighborhood. When more and more people began doing the same thing...I'd expand it to Home Depot but I bet there would be some restrictions on nudity in the markets or food establishments...but that wouldn't count the drive thru's! LOL Would it become commonplace?...I think not. It's taken us so long to get to where we are and everytime we get closer to acceptance...we have some zealous authoritarian closing the door and all the prudish sheep following right behind him/her! I think the young people are what would have to make the first move! ;) | |
| I'm with you FireProf | |
| Many years ago, I lived in Utah. While there, I was sent for a training class to Denver, Colorado. The Colorado laws concerning nudity had just been declared unconstitutional. Even though it was February, the weather was quite nice and balmy. While there, I saw many men, women, and children walking the streets nude. At the time, I wasn't even a closet nudist much less an social nudist. John | |
| Intriging thought, however, there are just too many people out there that would be too prudish or too shy for nudity to become the norm in public. Over time, as more people become used to the idea, get over being body concious, then it could happen. | |
| Most people would continue to go clothed. Many people just have no interest in going nude. I would love to shop at the mall or Walmart nude. But consider the harassment we might get from textiles in public. At a nude resort, fellow nudists are tolerant of different types of people. That is not the case in the textile world. | |
| I see it as going to the way that europeans see nudity. To see someone toppless or nude is no big deal, but most people will still wear clothes. I think that possibly the only things that would change would be that you would see more people trying to go topless and/or nude at the beach. Also, for some reason I think that fewer people would wear (or would wear less of) undergarments (underwear/bra). It would be in the minds that if I were to bend over and my ass would show or someone could see down my shirt, it would be not as much of a deal because if I was naked they would be able to see those things anyways. Your going to have the extremes. Some that will coverup no matter where they go. Then some will try to be nude as much as possible. I think I've got the same mindset as FireProf. I'd test the waters and see how people react and then go from there. | |
| I don't think it would become commonplace, just more relaxed as it is currently in countries where nudity is more accepted. If anything it would give us the opportunity to separate social nudity from lewd behavior more clearly. | |
| I sincerely doubt that social nudity will ever become legal. However , even if it did , I doubt that it would become prolific...far too many people are just not comfortable and or secure with their own bodies for that to happen..but...it would be nice to at least have a choice of clothes or no clothes when going out... | |
| I agree with fbh1 and FireProf. If nudity were legal, we would evolve into a European paradigm, where some people would choose to be nude at the beach or in public parks, while others would choose to be clothed. Gee, that sounds like something called "tolerance" -- what a novel idea. I doubt that we'd ever get to the stage of "nekkid peepul in WalMart" but I suppose there will always be one or two that just HAVE to push the envelope, which generally screws things up for everybody else. | |
| Just as you don't see bathing suit-clad individuals outside of beach communities, I think that clothing will continue to be worn for the simple fact that people want to express their identities. By wearing designer clothes they make a statement of who they are. Too bad that most people don't have the same freedom to be who they are without having to wear clothing to say who they are. Go to a clothing free resort and you can't tell the rich from the less-than-rich. No one is trying to outdo the other. Sad that our society is too competitive and jealous. | |
| I agree that the social pressure to conform is very difficult to overcome and takes a long time to change. As for me I would enjoy being able to wonder our apartment complex and the park across the street without legal repercussions. Finally I wouldn't have to pull on shorts to go down and pick up the mail. | |
| I doubt nudity would become commonplace and those who would practice outdoor recreation in the nude would still be the minority. Even at resorts where one is allowed to be nude, you see people covering up. Those who are sincerely into fashion would still desire to wear clothes, and clothing designers would shun or place a stigma on those who desire to not dress up. In mainstream society, there would still be a level of shame associated to those who do not have the 'perfect physique'. Not to mention those who handle food, people's health, or tend to dangerous jobs may still wish to keep their skin distant from their profession. And of course, weather may not always permit an adequate environment for the nude enthusiasts. | |
| I can guarantee you, that if it were legal to be nude, you would in fact see nude people at Wal-Mart. Everytime I am in a Wal-Mart, I am amazed at the way some peole dress. Fact is, you would probably see more nudes there than at most places. Needless to say, the bar scene would be different. | |
| No, I don't think it would be commonplace. Just look at San Francisco. I recently saw a news story that stated public nudity is legal there; yet, it's still not commonplace. I saw it on MSNBC.COM and the issue of the report was the uncleanliness of the nudists in public. They weren't using nudist common sense; not using towels when sitting on public seating. | |
| I also agree nudity would not become commonplace but it'd be wonderful to have the freedom to go nude when an where we want. I could certainly enjoy going to/from the mailbox, driving nude, strolling about nude, etc. Tolerance should be the key. Jim Livin' naked and free | |
| It would be nice to simply have the freedom to be nude and tolerated in logical settings (beach, park, your front yard, Disney World). Anything else would be the icing on the cake. Would it be common? Probably not any time soon but it would be nice to at least have it accepted. | |
| Well if you stop to think about it air conditioning in many business places will limit nudity. The computer room yesterday was mighty cold after sitting there for 2 hours ... with clothes on. Sanitation around food is expected there is just yuck factor that will take a long time to over come. When the weather is nice I would expect to see see people out walking, running, etc. Any park I would expect to see a lot of nude people. Work around the house, in front yard, and lets not forget kids playing, many have a natural aversion to clothes. Just some thoughts =D~~ Kilted | |
| While it is already legal to be nude in the privacy of your home, home nudists are not commonplace. I do not think that most people are nude at home (except for showering and such), even if they are alone. So, I would not expect public nudity to be commonplace, if it were legalized. | |
| ...but, I do believe that more people are nude at home more than many realize. I've talked to many, many people that are nude at home but do not consider themselves nudists. I recently talked with someone that was nude at home most of the time, sunbathes and swims only nude, when home,...even goes to the lakes and rivers on her boat for weekends and vacations and cruises around with her husband in the nude, finds private coves to hang out and enjoy the sun in the nude...but she says she's NOT a nudist! I really think there are many more people that are nude at home but don't admit it to anyone and are probably nude as much as we, here, all are but don't consider themselves nudists. I think this is apparent when you see some of the polls that are reported and there are 80+ in favor of nude sections for beaches and the same % stating that simple nudity isn't lewd or should be a crime. I don't think it's ALL nudists taking the survey or answering the poll...cuz I've never been asked! LOL :) | |
| Would it become commonplace if it was legal? Just try me! | |
| Nudity is legal in the Uk but making a diplay that upsets or distresses someone is illegal and that law is used to prevent nudity. I think that says it all. Unfortunately nudity does upset meny who see it as some sort of perversion they confuse with sex. So, for nudity to become commonplace it needs to be accepted by the wider public | |
| I see my daily life in a nudist community as a microcosm of what the world would be like if we did not put such intense focus on nudity. Most of the hype, sexualization and demonizing would likely go away. Would everybody be nude 24/7, of course not. You probably would not even regard it as commonplace, just not a big deal. | |
| It is going to be interesting to see how social nudity will evolve in San Fran now that it is legal in the city...my guess would be that like most Americans too many folks will have too many issues with their own bodies to participate... | |
| TexasnNewd it isn't new and very few do it. It recently got attention because a sanitation law is being proposed. The law would also reinforce that it is limited to a small area of the city. Since it is predominantly a gay area it is unlikely more straight residents or visitors will be going to enjoy their permitted freedom. Again we have a situation where we don't utilize our rights to the point few even know something is allowed. | |
| You are right, the whole hoop-tee-do was about being nude in eating establshments and using towel when you sit on a public bench and yes it was focused on the gay district...HOWEVER, the fact remains that public nudity is not illegal ANYWHERE in San Francisco. What that means is that next time I am in San Francisco, I can be nude anywhere I want to be, outside of a food place, and don't have to worry about being arrested. That's a big step. I could probably just wear a sarong in Starbucks and be good too. I really don't care if it becomes commonplace or not, it would be just nice to be able to be nude with no hassles. | |
| One of the really nice things about vacationing at Cap D'Agde was not worrying about clothes or being hasseled about NOT having them on. Being able to go shopping or visiting friends in the hotels or condos or just going to and from the beach nude was terrific. It really would be wonderful to have that option on a daily basis in the U.S. whethee you used that option or not. | |
| I agree the option to be nude or not would be ideal. And, in time, nudity would become commonplace and no big deal I believe. Jim | |
| Be sure to read the last paragraph. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/us/san-francisco-nudity-restrictions-provoke-the-nakedly-ambitious.html | |
| The first step would simply be more designated areas where nudity is allowed which would be fine. To think it ever has a chance to be accepted in public won't happen in our lifetime. | |
| "If you go bare, put er there!" loved it! John | |
| It's not commonplace in places where nudity is legal, so I doubt it would be in America. | |
| Though I would like to see nudity become widely accepted I don't believe it ever wil due to society's conditioning. What a shame. Jim | |
| As much as nudists would like to believe that children naturally reject clothing without thinking twice as a preference for nudity, children would also wear costumes of their favorite cartoon characters everywhere they went if they were allowed to. |
Home | Contact | Support | About | AANR | My Profile | Search | Mail | Clubs | Links | Sponsors | Video
NudistClubhouse.com™ is Copyright © 2008 • Nudist Clubhouse, Inc.
NudistClubhouse.com™ is a trademark of Nudist Clubhouse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NudistClubhouse.com™ is a chartered club of the American Association for Nude Recreation, and their Western Region
Membership Transactions by GTBill •
Visit our Sponsors