With the results of the UK survey https://www.anaturistworld.com/article/46050/the-bn-ipsos-naturist-survey-october-2022 I wonder if these results can give us more confidence to speak out and "expand naturistm." After all if 39% of people have taken part in some sort of naturist beach/club/skinny dipping activity then doesn't that mean a lot of people should have empathy for our life choice? 

Since this topic was last posted in we have introduced the Public Articles section of ANW which have resulted in 25 000+ from internet users outside the site individual reads since the launch in July - mainly through Steve and I promoting them on social media?

Are other ANW members posting links to these pages as well on their social media profiles? We would love to know.

If even a small percentage of readers consider naturism as something they miss wish to get involved in then how amazing is that. 

Talk about ANW with friends and followers, share links to the site or to the Public articles, talk about the survey and be proud of naturism. 

Share you thoughts. 

Fascinating conversation, and one we have not been involved with to date (Which is odd for us)

 

We think the question really is what do we want, is it to convert the world to nudity? As much as that would be wonderful, we think that no one here even remotely thinks that is achievable.

 

Considering that, we would say, that at its most basic, we would all like to be tolerated, in such much, as we think it would be nice if we were not pointed at and named called, and have all sorts of slurs thrown at us for simply wanting to be clothes free.

 

It is an important goal, because it breeds acceptance within the population, and also matches in with other groups within society from which we can gain a similar sort of balance. For example, on another part of this site, Anna made the comment that 14% of the UK population at some point have tried a naked form of event or past time, which is equal to the amount of Vegetarians in the UK.

 

It is clear that Vegetarians are accepted and catered to, most restaurants and supermarkets cater to them, so it is simple deduction, that naturists would feel more a part of society if they could have a similar level of acceptance. It is a realistic goal, one that is achievable, and so with that in mind, one would suggest, that should be the goal or aim of naturism.

 

Like vegetarianism, with acceptance or tolerance, it has grown, and more and more people have become aware of it, seen it as an option they would consider, and so given it a try, which actually appears to be what is happening at the moment in UK naturism, and has been since 2020.

 

There does appear to be other forces at work here, firstly, there is a backlash at social media, which has enforced a puritan narrative on people, and like most people, they can be pushed so far, and then they push back. That is being seen currently, Facebook is losing share value and users, Twitter is becoming more open, Instagram is tolerating more pictures than it did, even if they are posed in certain ways, and Tumblr has lifted its ban of pictures of none sexual nudity. It does appear like people are starting to call them out, as the rise of the free the nipple movement grows, and the body positive culture fights back, and all of these things will ultimately benefit naturism and open the doors for others to join in with socially naked activities.

 

The Covid lockdowns have again played a huge part in this, people did not like having their freedoms restricted, and what is the best way to revolt? Become free, and what better way to show that, than shed your clothing and feel liberated.  This was highlighted in 2021 with a poll that listed sunbathing naked in the garden, had become the biggest UK summer trend. It does appear to us that it has been an organic development within the population, and so how do we deal with it?

 

Steve up above gave the answer, we open our arms to those who ask and welcome them in, and we sit down, talk, and explain the benefits, and make clear the none sexual side of it, and point out the obvious, it is not sexual or weird and perverse and holds many benefits. We appeal to those who are receptive, and seek acceptance from those who would never join us. We talk, and as we have said many times, the best approach is to get involved, and hopefully as is happening at the moment, we win over people to either join us, or accept us, one person at a time.

 

The more we grow, the more of us there will be, to keep the conversations going.

I think running with the vegetarian scenario is very interesting - particularly as the numbers seem so perfectly similar. 

Some people hate vegetarianism, some mistrust it and others suggest it is going against our basic human behaviour. Confusing us as carnivores rather than omnivores. We would not have eaten meat on a daily basis - just as say bears don't. Without trying to sell vegetarianism too much - there are recognised environmental and health positives to vegetarianism - and it is about choice. People should feel able to be "veggies" without judgement. People become vegetarians for different reasons, some are not so strict (pescatarians - eat fish - some eat products with gelatine) others take it much more seriously (which of those e-numbers are animal based, what about products like Walls Ice cream that appear vegetarian but are not?) some move of to Veganism. Some people are happy to dabble - only eat meat occasionally, are happy to chose the veggie option, don't eat red meat. Some see it as a defining part of their character and as important as a religion. Some eat meat three times a day and imagine it to be an important human right - animals existing purely for our use. What is important is that it has become an accepted part of society.

So look at naturism - we come to it for different reasons - we recognise the positives - some think it is against humanity - others think it is primarily how we should be - but recognise that clothes can help protect us on occasions.  Some live 24/7 others enjoy it when they can, and some merely dabble - possibly not even considering it naturism. To some it is almost like a religion and helps to define them. The scenario is so similar to vegetarianism - yet despite numbers, hatred from some, love from others - one is widely accepted and the other is still marginalised. 

This is an imbalance that needs examining.