A fascinating chat. I remember when we first spoke to Anna's mother and step father about our naturism and our plan to build this site. You could see at first shock in their eyes and then ideas of isn't it a little perverse, but as the chat continued their attitude changed. Of course they already knew that we were very much monogomous and would never put our children into weird situations so that helped displace the idea that naturism is perverse. Though as we chatted during the picnic they also began to understand that it was not only harmless but also very positive for us, the children and others. It was the whole body awareness, confidence and natural arguments that really got them thinking. 

Since then we have been invited and encouraged to be naked around them at various occasions and they think this website is brilliant and something that is a source of positivity and good. Anna stepfather gingerly tried being naked with us one afternoon and now sun bathes naked at home, or on holiday and will join us when visiting. Her mother never exposes her skin to the sun so may never join us for that reason. Though she is more than happy to socialise with us (Anna, myself, her husband and the children) while we are naked. 

The trick in a situation like that is to get people to think about the people they know you are and when they are thinking "well if they do it it cannot be that bad" explain the reasons why it is actually very good.

But how do you talk to strangers? We don't really go around telling strangers about ourselves ( well not in the 3D world) we don't speak about our vegetarianism for example either. But if it comes up in passing we will say yes we are naturists, we are vegetarians etc and if someone shows an interest in talking about it we will sell the subject as best we can. If they are not we don't go anywhere with it and move on to whatever else. As is mentioned by others above the ears need to be open before they listen and learn. 

As "A Naturist Family" we have regularly been contacted by journalists for newspapers and tv articles and more recently we were asked if a camera crew could spend a weekend filming us for an episode of a tv series. We have remained skepticle about such things as naturism is often portrayed as either a red-faced joke or a swing-fest, and we don't wish to be linked to either of those attitudes on tv or other media. However, given the right opportunity there is certainly space for getting those "middle ground" people to think about naturism in the right light. I think most people in the UK are middle people until given an opportunity to move one way or the other by a sensible voice. Statistics reckon that the percentage of people (in certain countries) who have had the occasional skinny dip is quite high anyway. It is just harnessing that thought and "fleshing it out a bit" (quite literally).

If we reread the comments that Grahame refers to above they are really quite shocking. How do people who are probably quite reasonable in many ways become so far off the mark when it comes to naturism. Ingrained, unhealthy, social attitudes towards nudity. People who do not approve of strip clubs, topless bars, the porn industry, underage sex, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, body loathing and dietary illnesses, and a host of other issues should be applauding and embracing naturism for the positive attitudes it can take against such subjects. 

There are a lot of naturists around the world. If we can develop a voice then maybe we will be heard and understood. The problem is that many are so afraid of being misjudged they hide away. Leaving the exhibitionists and oddballs to be the only voices heard. This is part of the catch 22 situation. The media portrays naturists as either fools or perverts and so they often only got fools or perverts to portray naturism to them. (This is not meant as a particular jibe to any individuals and all cases but as a generalisation.) 

I watched a short interview recently with a naturist couple and they seemed quite sensible and made some good points, but they were made to sit in a studio naked and discuss naturism. Would a surgeon sit in in a bloody gown or a fisherman sit with waders and a rod in his hand. Making a couple sit there naked with legs crossed to cover their genitals and long hair draped over the breasts puts them immediately into a foolish, false and bizarre scenario. Where they cannot help but appear as either obsessive, slightly odd and out of sync with the nature of their surroundings. It's a film studio, on a cold winters morning, they are surrounded by dressed people and the only purpose the tv channel has for asking them to strip is for a little titillation and amusement. How many viewers are going to actually take seriously what they have to say? No matter how heart felt and sensible it is.       

I have to say I agree with Steve.  In many regards the people are quite logical and rational but when it comes to nudity all rationality goes out of the window. In fact it is impossibly to have a reasonable discussion on the topic.  They are totally convinced that nudity and sex are 100% linked and that anyone who strips off with the lights on must be a pervert or a weirdo.  I'm informed hat there are couples who have never seen their signigicant other naked.  Now to me that just doesn't compute but I am told this is the case.

Given the body loathing that seems to be prevelant in society one has too assume that the bodily acceptance of naturists can do nothing but good, both physically and mentally. I would not want to count the number of times I have heard, I'm too fat, thin, pale, ugly etc etc. 

Now as regards the number of naturists, I think you are certainly right, there are a lot of us.  Plus I suspect a large number who would say, sleep naked, yet not class themselves as such.  But having the intestinal fortitude to admit that in public or even amongst you friends is far rarer.  Mostly because people are frightened of either being classed with the perverts or weirdos or at the minimum subject to ridicule.

Yes somehow we have to get a voice, I'm not sure how we do that, but one thing I am sure of hiding in closets, denying what we beleive and remaining silent will NOT acheive it.

So I for one will attempt to continue to prove that we are well balanced normal (if there is such a thing) people who just chose to do all the normal things in life naked.  That doesn't mean we always choose to be naked, but do so where it is either most sensible or comfortable.  Hopefully then people will see past the lack of clothes and treat us as normal human beings.  

It is early days yet for ANW but I am hoping that we (and by "we" I mean the collective members) can maybe help create a voice as the site grows in strength and reputation. I would like ANW to build bonds with the various federations around the world and at the same time represent the individuals that do not consider themselves club joiners. That venues, individuals and associations communicate here with a common goal, protecting and promoting naturism without the issues that surround their individual boundaries, cultures and personal apsirations. 

If the world can see naturists communicate on the internet on a site that does not fall into the "naturism is an excuse for sexual sharing" then it may help in supplying the "textiles" of the world with what they can view as an honest and open account of  naturism. I think when some people hear Federations make their honest claims about naturism they think "Yes, well they are bound to say that!" If a landed club announces on its web page that it is family-friendly, some textiles will just think "Well what do they mean by that! Why do they want to encourage children?" Too many naturist magazines and resorts use models and not real naturists to sell their product and it gives off the idea that naturism is at best an excuse for soft porn and promotes the idea that there are going to be lots of older men hoping to see young beautiful women. An idea further encouraged by many clubs refusing/limiting the entry of the single man, suggesting that these men cannot be trusted. On top of that too many clubs keep themselves very private, hidden away with big trees at undisclosed addresses. Some of them even have in the T&Cs that members should not share or ask personal details like addresses, full names and occuptions with other members. (I can understand a reluctance to share too much on the internet, but with fellow members at a landed club?) Then the photography ban suggests that clubs do not trust their members to behave properly with cameras. 

What I would like to see at ANW is a break away from some of these fears but also an embrace of the many philosophies shared by the clubs and the federations. A site where men, women, couples and families all feel safe and welcome. For too long women have stayed away from naturism on the internet due to a fear of being pestered and "flashed" at. That even though we are individuals and not representatives of federations and clubs that we still act the same in respect of behaviour. That the members here show that naturists do not wish to have penis profiles as is now so prolific in some social media sites - often from people who have never been naked on a beach in their lives. That we are not about uploading sexual imagery and pretending we are naturists. That we are real, average normal people. From all walks of life, doing different jobs, following different religions, enjoying different cultures and we just happen to enjoy spending some leisure time naked. Through the behaviour on this site of normal people who enjoy non-sexual nudity we may be able to get those who doubt the motives of naturists to think again. To consider that the healthy attitude that is conveyed here is actually the behaviour that is shown on beaches and in clubs around the world.

When the collective voice here is large enough, we will start looking at ways to get it heard throughout the naturist world and also in the textile world. I believe that naturism should be primarily about enjoying being naked in an everyday setting and that should be a good reason for people to share, communicate and make friends in ANW. However, if we can also use the site to stand on a soap box occasionally and maybe make a difference to naturism then we should do this too. Naturism can only grow in acceptability if the mystery is removed from it. Too many people assume it is a secret society hiding its true nature behind pine trees because the behaviour is basically shameful.        

It takes a long time for people to see things in a different light, and I don't mean individuals changing their mindset but for an idea to be accepted and, if ever, become normalized. 

We are talking about generations here.  Sad but true.

How long did it take for people to accept the world is round and not flat? Or that there's a spectrum of sexual orientation? Or even, that men are not superior to women?

There are much scientific and empirical evidences right there in plain sight and people will ignore them as long as there's a belief system at work.

It's that belief system that hard to change.

The important thing is that it's hard to form too.  You first convert the "enlightened ones", they spread the word a bit.  Some will be beaten up and call it a day.  Some totally devoted and determined will fight till the end, and "keep the light on".  Then it takes a change in the overall social-political environment, something that could be totally unrelated to the idea itself, to shake up the belief system and  get people to think that they can (not should, but can) see things differently.  And finally the light shine through. 

This process takes decades, sometimes centuries, and that means someone needs to keep the light on for that long.

It's in itself a test to the idea.  If it's that long lasting, with people supporting it and passing it on, then it must be something ingrained in the way we are.  It can only mean that the idea is part of being human, and isn't anything that we can deny ourselves of.

Keeping the light on requires constant reinforcements.  People need to be reminded why the idea makes sense, why it's good for them, and that there are many around them who believe or behave in the same.  Providing such constant reinforcements takes commitment, resources, and sad but true, some form of propaganda. I am not a good enough speaker who can convince people, or in a position to go upfront and challenge the status quo. Yet I will consistently try to pass on the light to the next generation. I will support those who go to the front lines. I will support naturist venues and events and publications, free or paid.

And most importantly I will be fully nude where allowed, not hiding underneath a salong or a towel or sunglasses. I will support family values in naturism and keep the light on within the family. 

Didn't expect to write this much, but I do feel everything I said!

Some good points, a.b.y.a. C
   I had a thought as I was reading; and I am actually not saying this in jest. Now I know this will never happen but...  The so-called experts during this pandemic have changed their minds so often, that now we have people wearing masks, not wearing masks, keeping distance, not keeping distance, continuing to argue the finer points about the best ways to stay safe and/or whether it is really necessary to take precautions at all...
   To a large degree though, people have cooperated with the basics they have been told, and even as the whole process wears thin on the tolerance level, they continue to do so.

   So I have to wonder (and wonder is all I can do, because as I said above, this will never happen) if the experts came out with a new televised conference and agreed with one another that the virus is so tenacious to cling to fabric, people would be safer going everywhere naked, showering as soon as they get home for safety reasons...how many people would say, "Well, ok; the experts say to so..."

   The long-term result, when this thing is all over, would be interesting to track.

I can dream, can't I...?