Parental guidance suggested
We survived motion-picture ratings; we survived videogame ratings. Is it time for nude-recreation ratings?
In a society which has such a widespread disease of body dissatisfaction, it would seem that nudism/naturism would be an obvious part of the cure. At the same time that the worldwide interest in nude recreation is booming, both AANR and TNS have seen a decline in membership over the last decade.
Not that we’re any less curious than we used to be:
The problem with nudism/naturism is that it falls somewhere in between sex and chastity. The non-nudist, or “textile”, cannot grasp the concept of nudity without sexual behavior because the two elements have been so deeply ingrained in our minds by popular culture. Generally, with few exceptions, when someone takes off their clothes in a movie, sex is sure to follow. As a result, nudists have over-emphasized the fact that sexual behavior is not tolerated, to the point where even a hug and a kiss between two people is grounds for suspicion. First-time visitors are required to present a photo ID at the gate of nudist parks, and most are given at least a cursory background check in order to preserve the safety of all club members.
Which is particularly important if you want to bring the kids along; there’s nothing to be gained, and perhaps a lot to be lost, if what they see winds up being an outdoor stag party. Meanwhile, “couples-only” resorts are springing up, specifically for those who don’t want the kids brought along. And they tend not to be affiliated with the big (well, not that big) nudist organizations.
Perhaps it’s time for organized nudists to recognize that there are all kinds of nudists, just like there are all kinds of people. The strict definitions and guidelines laid out by AANR and TNS are fine, and I espouse them myself, but it seems to me that it’s time to recognize that clothing-optional enterprises like Caliente, Paradise Lakes and Castaways travel are forms of nudism, too. After all, Striptease and Finding Nemo are both movies, and through a ratings system people are able to make a choice about which one is appropriate for children.
The alternative?
Nudist organizations are failing to capitalize on all these new manifestations of the nude spirit within us all. There needs to be a bigger tent to bring more of these like-minded people together. A failure of imagination as well as a strict adherence to tradition will turn AANR and TNS into dinosaurs, following drive-in movies, video stores, and land-lined telephones into extinction.
I notice that I seem to write about this stuff more during the wintertime. Make of that what you will.
(Work safety of any external links in this piece is not guaranteed.)
Marc Beaulieu (Au Naturel) »
17 February 2010 · 7:47 pm
I agree with the alternative, i cannot see the FCN(Federation of Canadian Naturists) here in Canada or naturist landed clubs surviving. My wife and i founded, Au Naturel Nudist Club (non-landed) in Ontario as an alternative to landed clubs.
GreyBruceNaturists was founded one year ago with the intention of offering a nudist experience to couples and singles at little to no cost.
Advertising GreyBruce Naturists was made difficult because no one knew the meaning of the word “Naturist”.
Nudist is perfectly understood and, “Au Naturel” is universal in meaning.
Au Naturel advertises on Kijji , OwenSound; and Twitter as GBNudists. Some online advertising is Not available to Au Naturel due to “community standards”.
Articles written detailing Au Naturel as Not a Sex Club/Dating Service brought the following comments from readers, online.
Would a nudist camp be an even better reason to become a Peeping Tom.?
Sounds pretty kinky to me. Does everybody just show up in their birthday suits and read stories to each other.? Is there a possibility to practice other social vices?
We don’t need a nudist camp in this area,a fenced in doggie park would be better than a fenced- in nudist colony for peeping-toms.
The challenge for Au Naturel will be to find venues for our members and to try and reach all those “wanna be nudists” at the street level, no small feat.
I’m sure landed clubs might not happy with our existance but i believe we require more forward thinkers as we consider ourselves. We could be the “farm clubs” for the landed clubs.
BTW since January, 2010, Au Naturel’s membership has reached 16, a nice mix of couples and singles. First Time,“Never Done It Before” to seasoned veterans from Ontario and Grey &Bruce Counties.
CGHill »
17 February 2010 · 7:53 pm
Nonlanded clubs may be the wave of the future: maintaining full-fledged resorts has got to be horribly expensive, and if you just want to make friends with like-minded folks, a nice fenced-in back yard is a pretty good little short-term venue.
Marc Beaulieu (Au Naturel) »
19 February 2010 · 6:13 pm
I believe that instead of trying to re-invent the wheel, the push should be to go with what we already have but expand it. Like what you said , “There needs to be a bigger tent to bring more of these like-minded people together”.
We’ve got the tent, lets just allow more diverse groups to join.
Just imagine the numbers of nudists/naturists there would be if this happened, certainly a worthwhile project.
Groups need to be truthful in what they allow, what they expect, and what they would like in a member.
So in our case here in Canada, the FCN ( Federation of Canadian Naturists), could list the, Nudists who swing groups, the adults only groups, the non landed clubs ect.
Non-Landed clubs are simply an alternative,just like any other club i’ve listed above, they are inexpensive or free.
Give potential nudists lots of options, the be all to end all are not just the nudist resorts, its everyone.