14. If the world was accepting of naturism - happy to take on a clothing optional policy in most situations - how do you think it would change the way society works - what positives could you imagine and do you think there would be any negatives?
In response to that question, I instinctively picked up on what I believe is the key word ‘IF’ the
world was accepting of _ _ _ _ _. I have purposely left that ‘blank space’ because unfortunately we live in a world where so many people are discriminated against and share in the same struggle to achieve a greater and justified level of social acceptance.
Unfortunately, society as a whole, has a resistance to change, to evolve, yet that is what the world has been since day one, a story of evolution and with respect to naturism, it could even be said to be an evolution by going ‘back to our roots’ one of re-encompassing many natural values which have been lost along the way. Just writing that, there is an evident ‘paradox’, because ‘evolution’ is naturally associated with ‘moving forwards’. For naturism to continue to evolve as an acceptable lifestyle option, there is a need for continual, small but positive steps. You couldn’t for instance, suddenly make walking down the street of any undefined area, clothing optional. As for sure, a single person, or just two or three people, suddenly appearing naked in your local community, would be very prone to discriminative acts, insults and maybe even aggression. For that reason, I believe in small steps, such as making more beaches and countryside areas, clothing optional. The creation of more ‘clothing optional’ social events. The creation of more ‘naturist
environments, communities, social spaces etc’ are all positive steps that will increase understanding, awareness and ultimately acceptance of naturists and naturism as a natural lifestyle option and choice. Certainly in an ideal world, where naturism was fully accepted, then I believe society would become less class orientated, less self-centred, less secretive, more natural and more at ease with itself. As these are just a few of the many benefits that one almost instantly becomes more appreciative of once you become accustomed to being naked in a social environment. Through stripping away the social barriers of being clothed, people would also be more accepting of each other and far less judgemental.
Whilst people would obviously retain their inherent personalities, naturism would also most likely promote a more friendly, sharing social environment and given time, even peoples personalities would be likely to evolve into better versions of themselves. Would a social acceptance of naturism give rise to any negative aspects? In order to minimise any potential negative aspects, I feel it is important that acceptance of naturism is one of gradual evolvement and not one instigated by drastic, radical changes in regulations and social law. People have lived in a clothed society for centuries and as much as we as naturists ask for respect and acceptance, we also have to be appreciative of the opinions and lifestyle choices of the clothed population. We cannot suddenly expose them to confront nudity in their everyday social environment and expect acceptance.
What is needed is a gradual increase in social situations whereby naturists and the clothed community can learn and adapt to harmonious living. That said, and taking the original question ‘per say’, then if naturism were to be totally, universally accepted and acknowledged for what in essence it is, ‘the joy of being naked’, then I am in truth struggling to think of any negative aspects. Certainly none that don’t already exist in a ‘clothed
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