There are many countries that naturism is not allowed and seen as unacceptable. What can residents and visitors do to encourage a change in laws and attitude? Should people run the risk of arrest? Should naturist visitors respect these laws?

In The Phippines, outdoor nudity will land you in jail. It's a conservative society in public, influenced historically for the majority by the Catholic Church and for a significant minority by the tenets of Islam. As a GENERALITY - in cosmopolitan areas - bikinis are accptable at the beach. If you go to public swimming pools, many females will wear t-shirt & shorts for bathing. One piece swimsuits are acceptable, but be sensible, i.e. not the "mostly cut-away" style. In my experience, most men favour the long, baggy swimming shorts, but that's as much a fashion statement as anything else. It's a young society and many think things will gradually change, especially as the continued development of resort hotels attracts more foreign visitors. Although there were reports a couple of years ago of a naturist resort opening, I'm not sure of its current situation. As in most countries, yes, respect the laws or expect the consequences. For Jenny, our daughters and me, naturism is at home only. A complication in the minds of youngsters arises from frequent TV & radio warniings NOT to get naked. This is because of poverty - adults making money on the internet porn sites by posting naked pictures of their children. There are considerable societal problems in that area.

Thanks for the above information Paddy & Jenny. Most men in English swimming baths seem to favour baggy shorts too - a strange concept! It is very interesting to try and understand the ideas and influences of nudity and/or lack of it in a historic context and a modern society. 

It is so concerning to hear how nudity is being used to attract attention and then money on the internet (and elsewhere) and it is particularly worrying when it involves children. While society carries these concerns it makes the acceptance of innocent, health and natural nudity that much harder to achieve. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if all countries could embrace a healthier attitude towards nudity and our bodies and through it/alongside this be able to end the misuse, abuse and damage caused by the negative, sexualised and disturbing treatment of nudity. 

Unless the law has changed, it is illegal to be nude on a beach on the Island of Cyprus Greek Sector).  We came across a beach east of Paphos with miles of white sand with hardly bo body using it. What a waste but not surprising wish a large sign advising that any nude sunbathing would result in arrest.

When much of the Greek Islands having facilities for naturism, it must be having an adverse affect on Cyprus's tourist industry to be back in the dark ages. It most certainly stops us from a holiday there however much we  love the island.