Thanks Jean there are various topics that have touched on some of these points. Such as this one
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/119/romance-and-naturism.
This topic has found us recently discussing the problems with the over sexualisation of the internet and its misuse of naturism https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/155/capitalising-the-naked-body.
And this one touches on a problem that families are facing regarding naturism.
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/130/are-promotions-for-naturism-failing-to-encourage-families. So not all bad news is just related to single peole. The misuse of naturism (usually by men) on the internet and by a small minority on beaches as well as more "swinging" style locations popping up aroiund the world. Puts of families, women, couples from joining naturism and makes it tougher for the average single man to be accepted, even though the average single man has just as legitimate and genuine approach to naturism as anyone else.
With Valentines day coming up very soon I am reminded of this topic from last February
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/100/define-love.
The frustrations of being a single male in naturism is one that cannot be ignored. I must say that I would not go anywhere near a "nudist dating site." No genuine ones exist in my experience. They seem like no version of naturism that I would want to have anything to do with. It would certainly be a better option to head to "normal" dating sites and hope to find a naturist partner there by sheer luck.
We have set up a range of "connecting" topics for different areas around the world. Such as this one:
https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/143/connecting-with-fellow-naturists-in-europe-west. With the hope that people can reach out to people in their areas. As ANW grows the ability to find like minded connections near by with become more likely and hopefully also some romantic connections.
Certainly we have always considered that at some point we would add some sort possible "meet-up" or "dating" area to ANW. There will be two big issues to consider. The first that it would have to be seen as totally legitimate. Being placed within ANW with its genuine community would help, as we wouldn't want anyone heading to it for purely exhibitionist reasons, secondly the internet, naturism and ANW still has a long way to go before enough single women could justify it. Couple and families connecting would be easier, helping men connect with men would be too. ANW wishes to help all genuine naturists regardless of their family set up, gender, sexual orientation. As long as we are all respectful of each other and naturism, then what else is there that matters? So as we grown the Forum topics for connections seems like a good interim choice.
I have to ask myself, what would I do and how would I feel as a single naturist. As a woman I may feel vulnerable, as a man mistrusted. Being in a couple or even better a family adds trust. Although how often are couples approached by other couples on the internet for "sharing" reasons and how many parents around the world fear unsubstantiated protests or the constant pressure to safeguard their child to a point where we fear allowing them to have any fun time or adventures at all? Let alone people who say " I have nothing against naturism, but it should only be for adults."
Then there is the problem that many single men just don't feel welcome or as welcome at certain clubs, venues or even beaches. I would be the same person no matter who I was with or how alone I was. Anna gives me respectability in the eyes of naturism, but I am the same person I was before I knew her. Men should not be victimised - it is as simple as that. I understand that if a club has 95% men then that may put women off joining but is that the single man's fault? I feel that showing a concern over whether single men can be trusted or the levels of single men allowed may in itself cause women to be put off. As a woman I may feel - "Gee, naturism is all men, lots and lots of men, the clubs don't trust them and they just keep wanting to encourage women - but is that because the men just want to look at me - and are desperate?" I would be concerned, "I don't want to be a source of eye candy or constantly pestered for a date."
What is the answer? As far as I am concerned I think the best thing is to keep on encouraging the growth of naturism, a better understanding of it and a promotion of its positives. As part of that I want to keep on growing the reputation of ANW and keep it as safe as possible for everyone. So those women who wish to get involved in naturism on the internet know there is somewhere they will feel safe, and similarly on clubs and beaches, they aren't welcomed because they are women in a "man's world" but welcomed as fellow naturists in a naturist world. One of kindness, trust, honesty and behaviour appropriate for all - men, women, couples, families.
This post was edited by
Steve ANW
at February 8, 2022 1:05 PM GMT