We don't just want to talk about the single male aspect in this topic, but it is a subject that I hear about again and again. That and a concern about segregation.
I think RnR make a very valuable point that if someone has misbehaved at a naturist club or event (man or woman) then they should have been dealt with leaving the victim (man or woman) reassured.
If it is just that there is a trend now that women act like they need to treat all men with mistrust then that should not be tolerated any where, certainly not in naturism. Most women at some point have been offended by some men in general life, sometimes the treatment is upsetting and unpleasant, sometimes much worse, but this does not mean that we should ever behave like that means all men should not be trusted or that there is only safety in male free spaces. It could be that some individuals may feel wary of all men for a while, but the answer lies in learning to recognise that not all men are dangerous, and seeing them being treated like they are is no way to find a cure or function. Meeting men who do not pose a threat, are kind, genuine, friendly, supportive and helpful (as so many men in naturism are) is a much better way to learn to move forward and find peace. I have often said there is great strength to be found from the vulnerable state of naturism, a very reassuring learning curve.
I find it terrible that in this world today when we strive to ensure everyone has a voice and is treated fair that we continue to see a rise in positive discrimination and prejudice towards men, it would not be acceptable for any other part of society to be treated that way.
The best way to find equality is for everyone to get an equal shot, to be equally welcome, and for everyone to intermingle - to get to know each other and understand each other. Ironic really that we complain about society not accepting or understanding naturism, we dislike being shoved into remote corners of beaches and treated with suspicion, and yet within naturism we look more and more at segregation and act like single men should be mistrusted, that families are not welcome, and the genders and sexualities need spaces to themselves where they can find welcome, acceptance, peace and safety. No wonder the outside world doesn't trust in naturism, we act like we mistrust each other, cannot get along, that sexual predators are everywhere, and that we function better when segregated and actually wish to be segregated, functioning societies with nothing to fear and with no preoccupation with sex do not need to worry about keep sexual orientations and genders separate.
Our segregating habit based on gender and sexuality, our fear of single men, our need for adult only events and locations, and our banning of children from events and venues send out a message loud and clear to non-naturists, and that message is that no matter how loud we protest that naturism is non-sexual it most definitely must be. Naturism is sending out the wrong message, the fault lies with naturism, and we will continue to be mistrusted and see people not consider trying naturism because of this, we will also see naturism attract people who think it is sexual, and see it gradually live up to their expectations. We have to wake up and see that we have to change our tactics before it is too late.
I know this is a topic that so many of us feel concerned about, and feel free to share more about it, but let's also remember that this topic is about creating a set of rules for clubs and venues and not just addressing the single male and segregation issue.
