Naturism likes to attach itself to causes and topics and one that is often connected to naturism is the search for equality in our world. We often see arguments about naturism helping with empowerment, body confidence...we also support topics like Topfreedom and question certain society expectations like the wearing of bras or body hair removal.

At the same time though we have women only events and specific campaigns to encourage women to naturism - which suggest that women are not equal in ratio to men in naturism, that we consider the encouragement of women as more important than the encouragement of men and that we feel women need specialised events where they can keep a distance from men. Not exactly suggesting equality.

Maybe before we look at equality in naturism we need to consider what we want in terms of equality and how it works on a much broader scale. 

The Academy Awards may consider putting Actors and Actresses into the same competition category. And in fact the term Actress is being treated as one of those gender terms that should no longer be used. But if we are to compete against each other in acting then why not in tennis? Why have male and female competitions in some aspects of life and not others? Is it purely because we have an equal footing in acting but in sport women on the whole will not be able to make the grade? Women athletes can mostly not sensibly complete against men. But as the whole concept of genders continues to get pulled apart - and legalities of what is a woman and a man get argued - will it get to a place where we cannot deny men from legally demanding a wish to compete in female competitions and vice versa?

What do we really want? Parents bringing their children up as Theybies may in principal be a very fair and sound idea but are we not missing something? Are we not in danger of losing the wonderful variance of life that actually makes life so fascinating.

Of course in naturist terms there is a wonderful set of ideals that could be considered. Remove all male and female changing rooms and make then shared.   It shouldn't matter if men or women see each other naked as we are all part of a "They" but in reality what is happening is that men do not see other men naked in male changing rooms, and the same with women. 

There is a "boy" in my son's school who uses the girls toilets and changing rooms. This is fair enough if it has been decided he is a "girl"  but why is there extra rules for the child. The child is allowed to have pink hair - something none of the other girls or boys are allowed. My niece had a girl in her class that decided one day to be a boy. Her name was changed in the register, it was announced in the school assembly that from now on she was to be called by the new male name, she started using the male changing rooms and toilets. Then after about 6 weeks she changed her mind, went back to her old name, became a girl again and started dating boys again. 

We are all looking for answers and a way through life and maybe as a society we are trying too hard to ensure that everyone is covered in everyway possible - but no matter how hard we try we can never please everyone and foresee every eventuality. 

Real equality has to be about everyone being treated fairly not special rules for some highlighting differences and almost ranking them as more important. We are all individuals and we should all be considered with equality. All lives matter, we should all be proud to be the people we are, and in naturism we show how unimportant the physical differences are. Both between genders but also other differences in size, shape, colour, disabilities etc. We are all equally perfect and valid and we do not pander to the stereotypes so loved by the media. 

So back to gender equality. Our son is 13 and has over the past week been physical and verbally abused by a girl in his year. She calls him ugly and a waste of breath, she hits him, punches him and kicks him. On Monday she actually pushed him over and started booting him while he was on the floor. But what can he do? In an equal world he would fight back, but she is a girl and he cannot do that. He knows he would get into trouble from the school and also from his peers. So he just takes the physical abuse. He has also been punished for calling her a "whale" - she is a big girl - he is adamant  that he hasn't said this and that she is lying - but even if he had, would his words be so wrong compared to her behaviour?

Why is it OK for her to say he is ugly (a fact that could be questioned) but not OK for him to comment on her size (a matter of truth)? Neither are right of course but why do the rules vary? The school is being supportive of the physical abuse he is receiving from her - but it is not hard to imagine that if it was the other way around he would have been expelled by now. Should the fact that she is a girl make any difference? Should the fact that she is weaker make a difference? The fact that her punches do not actually hurt him seem to be of importance. Isn't it the intent to hurt that should count?

My son has spoken before about this inequality. He has mentioned that there are other girls that get away with hurting boys at school and the boys cannot fight back. The girls use the inequality as a strength. You cannot hit us but we can hit you. He says it is also true of other things at school, For example a girl can slap a boys bottom and that will not be considered as a punishable offence - but a boy slapping a girls bottom would be. 

So do we want equality or do we want special rules and special attention when it suits us? Do we want equality when it works out best for us but do we want special events, clubs, discounts, attention, treatment when we can have it? If the boat was sinking and the Captain called out "women and children first" would we say no that is not fair? If gender recognition and segregation is wrong in some circumstances why is it not wrong in all circumstances? 

Are we the fairer sex when it fits our needs? Should we expect the door to be held open for us, a seat on the bus, to walk on the inside of the pavement? There are out of date habits - Mr and Mrs for example - but them turning it the other way around only puts us before the men. Steve and I always place the most relevant people first - if we write a card to Steve's sister and her partner the sister is listed first, but the brother will get listed before his wife. But if we analyse things too much are we just in danger of not being able to perform at all.

And maybe that is the biggest danger of all. Everyone is so afraid now of saying and doing the wrong thing and yet in doing so seem very happy to offend and isolate the majority in any given situation.

What do you think? Do we overplay the whole equality/inequality concerns in society and just make things worse? Should we be happy to embrace the differences in our genders and recognise that we stereotypically have a different sets of skills. Or do we have to all become "people" and in doing that where do we find the balance? 

I do not want my son turning around and punching anyone in the face even in self defence but does equality suggest that it should make no difference if it is a girl or a boy - wouldn't he instead be punching a "they"?

Share your thoughts and maybe through this we may find the best answers for equality in naturism too.  
    

A focus on equality (treating everyone the same) does not mean everyone has the same opportunities. If your sons school had a focus on belonging and inclusion of students, it may help them navigate difference more effectively.

(Rob’s viewpoint) This subject has become the mine field of modern life and society today, and sitting back and taking a look at the world as I have for some time, I cannot deny, there are a few mines here even I am wary of stepping on. I would say that the problem here is very clearly shown in how you have constructed your opening statement Anna, because you have approached this matter with reasoned logic, and fairness, and there in lies the crux, both of those qualities have been side lined in the modern world today, in order to transition into what is seen as very new, but is actually based in post modernism and the deconstruction movement.

The way I see it, men and women for a long time have understood certain aspects of themselves and their roles within society for a as long as we have been around, and to a degree it worked, which was that they were a respectful partnership. Has it been abused by both parties over the years to benefit either side, yes it has, but there were fundamental understandings of the role we played in life, and that to a degree created stability. Since the early sixties that changed, it was clear that to a degree, aspects of society were unequal, which led to the women’s rights movement, and that resulted in the equal rights act, which again to a degree brought more opportunity, stability and equality. Since that time, great changes have been made, but in recent decades, the rise of certain socialist post modernist ideas have arisen from the ashes, one of which is gender ideology, and this to a degree has resulted in a lot of fear, in trepidation, and confusion.

The most confusing and currently fearful aspect of this, has been the rise of the trans movement, which to a degree has thrown everything into chaos, and created many clashes within what are seen as the established roles of both sexes, and the need for greater rights, it is almost as if the scales have not been so much tilted, as completely dismantled. The result of all this, has been to cause more and more division, and a lot of inequality. Like most social sciences when one group shouts for more rights, others jump on the band wagon, and over the last decade we have seen the divisions expand into race, creed, culture, and sexual orientation, which I feel does to a degree isolate some groups, whilst advancing others. Obviously, this is as simplified a format as I can write here, it is far more complex and not quite a straight forward, but I think it is safe to say, that in the current times, there are certain groups who feel more entitled, and are far more demanding in which benefits they get. I would also add, that currently, women are starting to see how they are being side lined for other groups objectives and gains.

This whole situation has become divisive and manipulative, and has led to a situation where there are select branches and off shoots in all walks of life, which has been driven by the educational, legal, and political. It defies common sense, and creates mass inequality, and to a degree it has created a lot of resentment within society. From my own point of view, I will state clearly, that I am against anything that divides people, and I have always felt that naturism is the one thing that cannot be infiltrated and creates unity and harmony for all.

I have been saddened to see in the last two years, that this is not true, as small groups have broken off from the pack and requested places of their own to be naked. It is deeply disappointing that there are now Black naturist organisations, or LGBT only naturist groups, and women’s only meet ups being organised by national bodies. I find it saddening that naturism has even been divided by age group as well, and I really do feel this goes against the grain of what naturisum and textile life should be.

If we accept the premise that naturism is natural, and that by being naked we are in the natural form of a human being, then by default, all human beings are welcome to join us, which is my preferred option. If we take into account that said naturism is none sexual, then by simple deduction, sexual orientation should not matter within naturism, as no one should be acting in a sexual manner. If we consider, every naked body is beautiful, then it should not matter what the colour of the skin is, and if we consider that naturism is friendly, open and social, then it matters not what gender you are, for you will always be welcome. If we say naturism is for everyone, then the old, young, single, coupled, married, and families, should all feel there is a place for them. I honestly believe that naturism represents everything that is good within humanity, and so therefore, there is no place for division, there is only room for more.

To the risk of being chastised, I don't believe in gender equality, for the simple reason that men and women are not equal, we are different, aren't we? How could we be equal, if we are different (1 does not equal 2, but both numbers are needed)? Having said this, and before you shout at me, I believe strongly in equity. Equity means the we should be free from bias and favoritism. The dictionary defines equity as fairness or justice in the way people are treated. Letting a girl kick a boy and let her hide behind the fact that she's a girl is bias and favoritism, not equity. Saying a boy is ugly is as bad as saying a girl is a whale. Treating both on the different footing is not equitable, it should be treated on the same level and, for the sake of education, drive an apology from both. Naturism to me is a formidable equitable way to live and let live, as we have nothing to hide when naked. Naturism drives respect, respect drives equity, IMHO. Now, we cannot forget that many men have abused their power (and still do) against women, hence some positive biases that may be needed, but not against justice, fairness and equity.

This is definitely a very hot topic. I believe naturism can help in being a equalizer of perceived differences, and a vehicle of respect. To the risk of sounding like a broken record, I feel respect is at the core of naturism, to the least to the core of my conception of naturism and mentioned in the official definition of naturism. "Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment." Encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment. It may be the time to add "practice of communal nudity and equity".

Love you all! We need more respect, peace and benevolence in a world that is becoming more polarized and violent.

Marc said:
To the risk of being chastised, I don't believe in gender equality, for the simple reason that men and women are not equal, we are different, aren't we? How could we be equal, if we are different (1 does not equal 2, but both numbers are needed)? Having said this, and before you shout at me, I believe strongly in equity. Equity means the we should be free from bias and favoritism. The dictionary defines equity as fairness or justice in the way people are treated. Letting a girl kick a boy and let her hide behind the fact that she's a girl is bias and favoritism, not equity. Saying a boy is ugly is as bad as saying a girl is a whale. Treating both on the different footing is not equitable, it should be treated on the same level and, for the sake of education, drive an apology from both. Naturism to me is a formidable equitable way to live and let live, as we have nothing to hide when naked. Naturism drives respect, respect drives equity, IMHO. Now, we cannot forget that many men have abused their power (and still do) against women, hence some positive biases that may be needed, but not against justice, fairness and equity. This is definitely a very hot topic. I believe naturism can help in being a equalizer of perceived differences, and a vehicle of respect. To the risk of sounding like a broken record, I feel respect is at the core of naturism, to the least to the core of my conception of naturism and mentioned in the official definition of naturism. "Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment." Encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment. It may be the time to add "practice of communal nudity and equity". Love you all! We need more respect, peace and benevolence in a world that is becoming more polarized and violent.

I think @marc makes an excellent point.  What we need is more respect for difference, peace and benevolence.  For me, this is about equity not equality.  I am dyslexic, so providing the same written text to me as the general population does not really help.