Is Nudity a sexual thing?!

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Hi Everyone!! I hope you're OK. For as long as I can remember [and I have a pretty good memory!!] I've envied those who are nudists. And/or those who live in countries where BEING nude isn't considered 'dirty' or 'sexual'. In North America - we have been taught that nudity equals sex. This is why 'we' [well... Americans at least] 'fuzz out' naked bums on TV and fine TV stations for daring to expose any human 'naughty bit'. It's OK to show a dead body - though - just make sure he/she has clothes on. I honestly believe - given the fact that I am extremely self-conscious of my body - that if I were brought up in a society that did NOT consider nudity a naughty thing - I would feel much better about my body. I would know that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and wouldn't have bought into all of the lies I've been told. [Especially when it comes to what a typical male body looks like] In North America - the only naked people we get to see [other than those we're having sex with OR those 'glances' we steal while in some locker room] are of those who have extraordinary bodies. Flawless skin, big 'boobs' or 'jungle-sized' penises. No wonder so many of us [myself included] feel so insecure. I remember the first time I saw photos of nudists in a European magazine. I was about 14 years old at the time. I was SHOCKED to discover that people DO come in all shapes and sizes. There were photos of young people and old people. Fat people and skinny people. And everything in between. Some were good looking - and some were not. I was jealous. Not because they were all naked - but because they all seemed to be OK with being naked. They seemed to be OK with their bodies and OK with other people's bodies. I was also surprised to discover that none of them were having sex or looked as though they were aroused. They were just naked - and nothing else. So many of us have been taught to be ashamed of our bodies - so we live our entire lives in fear of being 'caught' or seen without our clothes on. [Or at least many of us do] And isn't that sad?! Many years ago my brother went to Germany where he stayed at a youth hostel. [A small hotel for young travellers that have little money] Everyone had their own room but shared a bathroom at the end of the hall. The first morning he went to the bathroom - to have a shower, etc., he wrapped himself up like mummy so none of his nakedness would be exposed to any of the other residents. But as soon as he left his room - he was surrounded by a dozen or so naked guys either walking towards the bathroom or walking back to their rooms. NONE OF THEM were showing off or being 'sexual' in their behavior. They were just naked. It was no big deal. No one was ashamed or embarrassed. And why should they be? They have been brought up to accept themselves as they ARE. Where WE [in North America - and other countries too - of course] are taught to be ashamed of our bodies. We are taught that there IS an 'ideal body shape' and IF we don't measure up in every way - then we're not 'good enough. And really - isn't that a cruel lesson to teach anyone?! I think so. That said...What do YOU think of 'being naked'?! Do YOU consider 'being naked' a sexual thing? Do YOU think of 'being naked' as if it is something naughty and that we should be ashamed of our bodies? OR do you agree with me and believe that IF we were brought up in a society that did NOT frown upon nudity that most of us would feel a lot better about ourselves?! Have a great day!!GREAT BIG HUGCraig!!

You know what? Yesterday, I clicked on the link to your website looking for any clues as to whether you were still alive... I guess you are!!. So.. Hey There!Yes, it is unfortunate that this society has such a phobia about nudity. It shouldn't be that way. I don't see nudity as needing to be sexual. I too am not exactly comfortable being nude (in a public setting) but am pretty relaxed about it at home. I don't parade around since we have teen kids at home, but we don't exactly bundle up and hide either.

I'll second sdp, and say it's great to see you back here, Craig.I think nakedness becomes a sexual thing mainly because it isn't common. If it were normal, sex would still exist but it wouldn't be connected with nakedness. Of course, going around naked all the time isn't very practical in cold climates.

I couldn't agree more. We were all naked when we were put on the Earth, so it seems perfectly natural.Some people seem to be far to concerned with their own bodies. Sometimes in the changing rooms you see guys wrapping themselves in a towel and then performing some ridiculous manoeuvres rather than just get on with it and get changed. I mean, at the end of the day, we all have the same bits made of the same stuff.Society just blows things out of proportion. For example, at my local swimming pool they have recently banned people from showering naked 'incase there are any children present'. Why do we bring children up thinking that 'naked' means 'dirty'? Just because someone wants to have a shower doesn't mean they are a pervert. Besides, it's a communal changing room so I don't see why they ban nudity in the showers but not the locker room.Sorry, this post ended up far too long, but I suppose what I'm trying to say is that although I'm not a nudist, I don't think there is anything wrong with the human body.(Although, living in Scotland, I wouldn't like to go about naked in our climate!)

There is a fairly large (or at least fairly vocal) naturist community in North America. Do a Google search for more info; there are organizations like the American Association for Nude Recreation and others, as well as nudist resorts, and a bunch of clothing-optional beaches, lakes, and hot springs.

I live not too far from Haulover Beach, a county-run beach just north of Miami Beach. One end of it is clothing-optional. It is officially (under the law) that way, not just tolerated. Same with the beach near the cliffs in Aquinnah, on the west end of Martha's Vineyard. There are a bunch of others, but those are two that I've been to a bunch of times. For the people who frequent those places, it's no big deal. In fact, each has its regulars, and they're people of all ages, shapes, and sizes -- although it's more popular with the older crowd than the younger folks.

There have been many, many things written that reiterate what you say about body acceptance and other reasons that nudity is a good thing. As I said, check it out on Google. Unfortunately, you have to pick through the pornographic crap.

OMG you sick freaks!!!if god intended us to be naked, we would have been born that way!

I took a shower today -- naked! Someone send the constabulary.

Officer Friendly is on his way.

when you go to jail for indescent exposure, what happens?

A strip search, obviously!

well nudity is definately a sexual thing when youre having sex whilst nude.. but other than that i dont think it is and i replied to you, Helmsman because i tried that link and it didnt work

The link works for me. Is it blocked on your computer?

oh sorry the link works after i override but the actual site just goes to "Cannot Find Server"

If you click on the link and you get a "cannot find server" message, then you're not reaching the site. I just clicked on it again and it worked fine. The links on the page that comes up also seem to work.

well i tried typing the link in didnt work, googled it and that worked than tried the link again and now it works sheesh

Sometimes there can be a fault somewhere between your ISP's server and the one you're trying to reach. The Internet is supposed to be able to deal with that, but it doesn't always work.

ok thank you

I appreciate all of the responses!!A special 'hello' to sdp, Ineligible and HelmsmaN!!When did you - sdp and Ineligible - become 'Administrators?! And when did YOU - HelmsmaN - become a 'mod'?! I'm impressed - I must say!! It's nice to know - sdp - that you tried my homepage link. I have been somewhat 'out of it' for quite some time now. Taken over by depression. Oh well... still climbing my way back. Lately - I've been playing pool with an 18 year old neighbour who lives down the hall. [There is a pool table in a games room in our apartment building] When I'm with him I FEEL like his equal and enjoy myself. But as soon as I get home again - and see myself in a mirror - I'm brought back to the horrible reality of my AGE. It's always a kick in the head and depresses that heck out of me. Oh well... If THAT'S not 'off-topic' I don't know what is!! lol [Where's an 'admin' or 'mod' when you need one!! ]Oh by the way - I'm writing this message in my underwear. So I guess I'm a 'nearly-nudist'!!GREAT BIG HUGCraig!!

Quote:Admin or (high and lofty Moderator), we're still just members - members trusted with basic post editing and deleting ability....nothing to be "impressed" about to be sure.Whether its something to be impressed by, or to be proud of, I'm sure it feels better to have a purpose on the forum. You may not have noticed this feeling cause you've been a Mod for so long, but in my personal experience I've found that with the obvious decline of social activity on the forum there seems to be very little purpose for the longstanding members to sick around. Even the want to help people wavers sometimes.Altho even some Mods don't appear very often. Katie only pops in every now and then and until yesterday, CenFath hadn't posted once since she was made a Mod!

I'm social

Some of the people who were the most "social" members became mods, which made them less social. Now there are fewer conversations about Mars bars and such.Quote:Admin or (high and lofty Moderator), we're still just members - members trusted with basic post editing and deleting ability....nothing to be "impressed" about to be sure.Like a school hall monitor? Remember Cartman, whose authoritaye had to be respected?Remember Animal Farm, where all the animals were equal, but the pigs were more equal?