David Hopkins of Listverse talks about the Common Misconceptions of Naturism:
Many people have found naturism a great resource for freedom and relaxation. However, naturism is also one of the most misunderstood lifestyles among the general population. Lets take some time to explore naturism and break through the misconceptions many have formulated over time about this exotic lifestyle.
Sexual Acts
Misconception: naturist resorts and events are places of sexual activity
This is the most untrue misconception about naturism. In fact, any place where true naturism is practiced, sexual activity, exhibitionism, swinging and voyeurism are strictly prohibited, and such conduct results in the offending participant being expelled from the grounds immediately, never to be allowed to re-enter. Sexual activity is not allowed any more in a naturist resort or event than any typical public setting, and the other members are even encouraged to report such conduct, if they see it, to the organiser or owner of the facility.
Sexy
Misconception: naturism is sexually stimulating
Many people, when they try naturism, find themselves surprised at the lack of sexual arousal they experience. Many men are even afraid of trying the lifestyle for fear of being visibly aroused. However, naturist facilities usually make it quite clear to men that this hardly ever happens, and to roll over or take a dip in the pool in the small chance that it does. At naturist resorts and events, participants find so many other activities to do and sights to see that arousal is the last thought to come to mind. Many naturists even forget that they, and the other people, are nude. People in a naturist setting actually find that they are less likely to be aroused there than at a beach or pool where people wear bathing suits, for bathing suits actually draw attention to the body parts they are supposed to hide.
Hotties
Misconception: naturists have attractive bodies
Again, a misconception. naturists have all kinds of bodies; any kind, size or shape of body you see in day to day life. People who practice naturism come in all sorts of sizes, all sorts of ages and come from every imaginable walk of life. Many people worry about trying naturism because they are worried they are too fat, have a scar or just don’t look like a supermodel. Anyone is allowed in, and no one ever makes fun of anyone or comments about anyone’s body. naturism is not a beauty contest.
Adults Only
Misconception: naturism is for adults only
naturism welcomes children and actually encourages families with young children to bring their kids. Children are the most enthusiastic naturists because they have not yet learned to feel shame about their own or others’ bodies, or to equate nudity with sex. Most venues even have play areas and activities set up for children. However, children are only allowed to enter if they are accompanied by their parents or legal guardians, and their parents, organisers and the other naturists are always on the lookout for anyone who would take advantage of children.
An example of naturism looking out for the welfare of children is with British Naturism's statements on Child Protection:
Statement from our President Pat Thompson about child protection
BN statement and code of practice on child protection
BN child protection policy
Clothing
Misconception: naturists remain unclothed all the time
This misconception is the only one with some truth to it. naturists remain unclothed any time when practical, but tend to dress when the weather becomes too cool or rainy, or if they are operating a barbecue or stove. naturist children who are not toilet trained are required to wear swim shorts or a diaper in the pool. Likewise, in the winter, naturist resorts generally close and the resort owner arranges for events in an indoor setting, such as a swimming pool, gymnasium or sports facility. Nonetheless, anyone visiting a naturist venue is strongly encouraged to disrobe immediately, or soon after arriving, as a deterrent against voyeurs.
Perverts
Misconception: naturists are perverts, weirdos and other sorts of sexually deviant people
Not true at all. In general, naturists are open, understanding and extremely friendly. The fact is, you probably don’t remember it, but there were days when you could scamper around the house in your birthday suit. The members that are older than young children are simply older or adult versions of those people. They tend to be understanding, open-minded and willing to listen to others’ thoughts, views and opinions. They are friendly and open to newcomers, and are typically repulsed at even the thought of pornography or sexual immorality.
Asexuality
Misconception: naturists are asexual people
Some people think that by treating nudity as not so much a sexual thing, naturists deny human sexuality altogether. In fact, naturists do marry and reproduce, just like nature intended. They just don’t include their sexual activities in their lifestyle, as it wouldn’t be conducive to an innocent, family atmosphere, and would perpetuate the common misconception that all nudity is sexual. naturists are sexual beings just like you and I, but they conduct their activities in private, in their bedrooms, between married partners only.
Privacy
Misconception: naturists have no sense of privacy
Although naturists feel comfortable in the nude, they tend to be particularly shy of cameras and have aspects of their life they do not need the world to know. Just because someone is nude, one should not take that as a signal to treat their life like an open diary or take pictures as they please. In most naturist settings, photography is restricted or even prohibited and taking pictures of children (even innocent ones) is strictly forbidden, in order to deter voyeurs and molesters. Likewise, when a person becomes a naturist, the club keeps their information private, just like a person’s information is held confidential in any typical public place.
Illegal
Misconception: naturism is illegal
Some people think that naturist venues are a branch of some kind of black market, that they keep their lifestyles secret and unknown to law enforcement for fear of being arrested and prosecuted. While I cannot speak for every jurisdiction and area of land on the planet, in most places, laws do not strictly target naturism. In most countries, it is simply illegal to be nude in a public place, and law enforcement generally treats naturist venues as being exempt from that law as everyone who visits agrees to be nude, and the venue is kept out of public view. Many naturists advertise and communicate their lifestyle through the media, and law enforcement treats their lifestyle as a legitimate cause. Some naturists are even police officers, judges or lawyers themselves. However, there are a few jurisdictions where this misconception is a reality. naturism is officially illegal in the state of Arkansas and in the countries of Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Sometimes, the police even make frivolous arrests, such as a crack down on a nude beach, or arresting typical parents who take innocent nude photos of their young children, but in these cases, the court usually sees reason and dismisses the charges as unlawful and unsubstantiated.
Recent Innovation
Misconception: naturism is new and alien in the history of humankind
Humans began naked, both historically and biblically. Many believe that humans originally began to wear clothes as a means to keep warm. Then, over many millennia, clothes evolved to denote status and class. Clothes slowly evolved to the point where a body without clothes was taboo. However, if you visit the ancient cathedrals in England, you will see many innocent statues of undressed humans and many great artists, such as Renoir, Donatello and Michelangelo depicted nude subjects. naturist clubs and resorts are relatively new in North America, a movement about a century old, but the swimsuit is also a new invention, prior to which people swam and used saunas in the nude. When the swimsuit was created about a century ago, it covered most of the body but has been gradually covering less of the body with time. If you put on your swimsuit today and went back in time a hundred years to a beach, you would probably get arrested, but go back two hundred years and people will wonder why you’re dressed at all.
TEXT: http://listverse.com/2011/02/23/top-10-misconceptions-about-nudism/
