| Author | Message | ||
     Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 1114 Registered: 4-2006 |
So you collective blue state Ann Landers, here is a question: If someone you otherwise respect and know quite well tells you that he and the wife are closet nudists, and take nudist vacations with the kids ( boy and girl). You would : 1) Consider them freaky-deaky. 2) Think they are in touch with themselves and beyond our un-necessary societal constraints and hang-ups Buy them the highest rated UV sunscreen as a family present? | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6498 Registered: 2-2003  |
freaky-deaky--anyone exposing their children to a nudist vacation should be thrown in jail. | ||
| Proud Daddy Citizen Username: Proud_daddy Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2005  |
3.) Think twice about sitting on their leather lazyboy... Just think about the benefits of being a nudist, you don't lose spare change in the couch! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8510 Registered: 5-2001  |
Yeah, but I shudder to think of where they do lose it. I feel sorry for the kids. They are going to have a rough time when they get older and realize that there are boundaries they didn't know about. We also have to remember that we tend to have different views on this in the US than the rest of the world. I wouldn't do it (30 pounds and 20 years ago, I would frequent clothing optional beaches, tho) and not with kids. But, hey. Buy them the sunscreen and maybe the kids will move to Brazil when they are older. | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6499 Registered: 2-2003 |
Sans kids is an entirely different thing. You never know what kind of pervert is there knowing there are kids. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8513 Registered: 5-2001 |
How many child molesters or kidnappers find their vicitms at a nudist camp? How many kids are molested at nudist camps? I don't think that it has anything to do with it. I do think that in this hyper-sexualized world, where a kid can turn on TV and see nekkid people with nothing but pasties covering their hoo-haws any time of day, it doesn't hurt to not foster the idea that there is no such thing as privacy or that their bodies are not their own. That's why I wouldn't take a kid. Not because I was afraid of molesters. | ||
| campbell29 Citizen Username: Campbell29 Post Number: 519 Registered: 4-2002 |
My body scares me sufficiently to ever willfully cause distress in another by showing it to anyone. I could never consider enjoyable a vacation that revolves around seeing and being seen in the altogether, but to each his/her own. Naked kids playing volleyball or swimming just seems like some kind of bizarro parental torture designed to make the kids feel uncomfortable (especially if they are teens or preteens). I used to be embarrassed by what my parents DID wear, I can't imagine the humiliation involved if they were wearing nothing at all. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6501 Registered: 2-2003 |
greenetree well said. I was brought up by a very neurotic mother about molestation, and I know I am hyper sensative about situations like this. I doubt that is where someone would go to find a victim. I just think this a choice you can make as an adult, not made for you as a child. | ||
| TomR Citizen Username: Tomr Post Number: 1204 Registered: 6-2001 |
Just thinking out loud here in Maplewood. A lot of people seem to feel that its inappropriate for children to be exposed to nudity. On the other hand, a lot of people seem to think that people who object to a mother breast feeding a child in public, have their heads in a place where the sun don't shine. I wonder how the people who object to public breast feeding developed an adversion to same? It also occurs to me that while we have this puritanical adversion to the human form being exposed; we concomitantly have this wierd obsession with the human form. (Hey! They use it to sell us nearly everything). As I wrote, just thinking out loud. TomR | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 2075 Registered: 5-2001 |
I went to an all-girls' Quaker summer camp where we never wore a stitch in the lake. The same no-dress-code applied at my (great) Uncles' summer house, several summers in Nantucket, Cape Cod and Stonington, ME. I'm not saying that I turned out OK  but nudity and breast-feeding don't phase me. Nudity is fine as long as it's not sexualized - I think a tight-fitting banana-hammock is much more provocative than skinny-dipping. I also think that considering the highly-sexual world we live in today, I won't swim nude with my girls in mixed company. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8514 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tom brings up an interesting point. If a woman goes to a nudist camp and is breast feeding, does she cover up while the baby is nursing? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider  Post Number: 15102 Registered: 1-2003  |
In answer to the original question: neither. I would neither abhor them or think highly of them. I wouldn't really care. Why would you? I can think of much weirder stuff. As for kids, I think it might be hard on a kid between 7 and adulthood, but I'm not sure. I once took my kids to the clothing optional beach at Sandy Hook when they were 7 and 4, and they were fine. After that, they had no interest, and that's to be expected. | ||
| Proud Daddy Citizen Username: Proud_daddy Post Number: 44 Registered: 10-2005 |
First trip to my folks place upstate with my then-girlfriend-now wife. We happened to be in Rochester and decided to pop in and suprise my dad, the master of deadpan humor. My dad answers the door and exclaims, "Wow, good thing you didn't arrive a half hour earlier, I was vacuuming naked". My wife who really did not know my dad well yet was a little taken back as you can imagine. She is still not sure to this day whether my dad was joking or not. I knew he was joking, because I know my dad doesn't vacuum. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6457 Registered: 5-2001  |
I approve of public nudity except for the following: - Too many child molesters out there. Way too many. - Ever go to a nude beach? I have. Not for the weak stomached. Here's one experience: I went to a nudey euro beach in frenchy St Martin with four of my HOT sisters/girlfriends and let me tell you, that was a big no no. We had our bikinis on, no one else did, but they should have been wearing their circus tents - Ungroomed granny standing on the towel next to us, purposely bending over her beach luggage to rummage, leaving us to deal with all the jungle bugs emanating. We couldn't figure out what ended where. Dicky Dick Dick who couldn't resist constantly shwanging past our blanket to preen in front of us. And there was just nothing preenable about Pepe's peepee. And that was just the tip of the iceburg. Horrendous. - Our "bits and pieces" are to stimulate procreating. It's dangerous. Leave in it private. - Way too many child molesters. I guess I'm not in favor of public nudity after all. Sorry.  | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 1124 Registered: 4-2006 |
I asked a question. I didn't intend to start a therapy group Lydia. | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 1218 Registered: 2-2006  |
I have frequented nude beaches (sandy hook) and if you think there is nothing sexual about it then you are kidding yourself and the same goes for nudist camps. It is human nature. No problem for me but I would never take my kids. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5999 Registered: 3-2002  |
if the kids are not uncomfortable with it, theres nothing wrong with it. And at home, it may help kids not to be self-conscious about body image, one of the roughest battles kids face emotionally (and adults too). If they realize that there's no shame to it, and as they get older, that nudity does not equal sexuality automatically, they'll be better off for it. And they will know where the boundaries are when they have to deal with the boundaries. Of course, we sensationalize as well as sexualize the wrong things in our culture...maybe an understanding and appreciation of nudity when and where appropriate is a good counter-balance. And although I think the resorts are just a bit too into it, as opposed to a beach, these are not modern day Plato's Retreats or NAMBLA meeting places, but self-policing communities with rules and guidelines. The oldest naturist resort in the US is just out Rt 78 a short drive, in Basking Ridge I believe...I think they have day passes -- check it out. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15103 Registered: 1-2003 |
It would be a crime for us not to mention David Sedaris's story Naked in his book by the same title. It's a must-read story. Sedaris said he wasn't really into nudity but went to a nudist resort anyway, to see what it was like. It's a hilarious recounting. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 1126 Registered: 4-2006 |
Hank- So seeing Mom and Dad with their ya-yas hanging out might be an uplifting and positive experience?  . Is a nude MOL volleyball meet next? | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1515 Registered: 7-2005  |
Nothing wrong with nudists. They choose to be nude, mostly move out west and keep to themselves. No problem with that. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 4813 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hank, you're scaring me. You THINK they have day passes? What's in YOUR wallet? I have no problem walking around my own home nude, in front of my kids (girls) but in public I am much more modest. (I don't even care if the blinds are open if I'm in my domain.) I would have no problem going to a nudist place if there was absolutely no chance in hell I'd see someone I knew. And I applied SPF 55 liberally all over my body. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 4814 Registered: 5-2001 |
Oh, and I don't think I'd feel too comfy with my girls seeing nude men (other than their dad). | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 554 Registered: 11-2005  |
(I don't even care if the blinds are open if I'm in my domain.) Great, now you'll have 200 MOLers driving around looing for your house.  | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 6000 Registered: 3-2002 |
VIG, A couple of years back, Debra Gallant, writing for the NY Times NJ Section, did a piece about her daytrip to the nudist resort in Basking Ridge. I checked out the website (no...no volleyball or dinner dance pictures, folks, as I recall), and it outlined their history, their rates, and so on...which is why I seem to recall they had day passes and seasonal memberships. Nothing scary. | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 1222 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hank: I agree with you on the part that kids should not feel that nudity = sexuality. I grew up in Europe and I guess we are a little more open to nudity and sexuality in general. However there comes a time in every childs life when boobies are no longer viewed as a source of food and pipi's sometimes wake up on their own. Nudity can be a very freeing experience and skinny dipping was and is one of my favorite past times. However seeing my parents and siblings nude and my kids seeing me and each other nude is very different then seeing little Joey Smith's mommy or daddy from four houses down nude. Most true nudists and nude beach frequenters do not view nudism as a sexual experience but there is always that dirty dozen in the midst that pretends to be just interested in "au natural". I used to enjoy nude beaches until I got a little wiser about some peoples true motive for being there. | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 555 Registered: 11-2005 |
What's a pipi? pipi longstockings? pipi kapa pi fraternity? pipi..oh wait, nevermind  | ||
| Peter G. Magic Citizen Username: Pmagic Post Number: 176 Registered: 10-2005 |
Maybe it is because I am used to seeing all of my patients nude but I think that people of the US are a bit uptight and puritanical. The only reason that nude beaches in the US have a small proportion of gawkers is because of our culture which encourages sex by making such things taboo. I have never seen people gawk or lust at any nude beaches in foreign countries. If my wife was into nudity I would have no problem bringing the family to a nudist camp. Sex is forbidden in such places and anyone who is acting weird gets kicked out. People just enjoy the outdoors and play volleyball, swim, etc. People do not stare at each other and it takes away some of the lust and unnaturalness of the human body. At a nudist camp you see every size, shape, etc. For anyone who is selfconscious I highly recommend such a vacation. It is a great way to build up confidence in your body image. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 4817 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hank, I was kidding...and K SOze, my husband makes me close the blinds. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 1128 Registered: 4-2006 |
Bet some people will be driving around Basking Ridge this weekend.  | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12200 Registered: 5-2001 |
As a descendant of Puritans and a prude by nature.... Kidding aside, the rest of the world isn't as up tight about the human body as we are here in the states. See Rebecca's Blog entry on the Netherlands in "Little Dutch Girl". | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2304 Registered: 10-2004 |
I'm in agreement with PMagic. Our society makes the human body seem taboo and unnatural. The human form is completely natural. I don't see anything wrong with taking the kids to a nudist resort. I knew someone who's family raised their household as clothing optional and the kids came out fine. Was it weird? Yeah, I asked, and yeah my friend said it was. It was the kids dirty little secret growing up and they never dared bring friends home without asking Mom and Dad if it was ok first (see an added benefit ). But overall this person (now grown up) didn't have any hang ups about the human body. This person wasn't a perve, or even a nudist later in life, but looking back she said she never felt threatened (at nudist camps) or uncomfortable about her body (or bodies in general). So to answer the question, I wouldn't have any problem with someone telling me that. I'd be genuinely intersted. I'd ask lots of questions and probably be envious. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 1024 Registered: 7-2003 |
To each their own. You wanna go to a nudist beach/resort, go ahead. But no kids - raises too many questions. Our children are bombarded on an hourly basis with so many sexual images in the media. But maybe I'm just saying that because I have three daughters. My wife and I honeymooned in Guadeloupe. Being a French posession, the beaches were topless. And no one batted an eye. I gradually got used to the absence of tan lines on my beloved. Mmmmm. . . . We Americans have a curiously hypocritical attitude towards sex. We titillate ourselves with this constant barrage of sexual images in the media, especially television. Pick up any mass market newspapaper, magazine, and you will be assaulted with sexual images. BUT NO REAL SEX. It is all teasing and titillation. Then on the other hand, our country is filled with people who genuinely believe that sex education in schools is the downfall of western civilization, that sex outside of marriage is a sin, birth control is morally wrong, and that sex within marriage should be for procreation only. These are the same people who avidly consume people magazine and the national enquirer, and then wonder why we have the highest illigitemate birth rate in the industrialized world. Personally, I believe one of this nation's most serious unadressed problems is the sexualization of children. But more on that later. Nudity? No problem. | ||
| Scully Citizen Username: Scully Post Number: 790 Registered: 8-2005 |
Its been a few years but I had a friend who was a third generation nudist (nudist NOT naturist: big difference). The movement (started in Germany, of all places, I was told) was VERY family oriented. You had to have a private membership and no single males were allowed. They had to be part of a family group or with a wife or girlfriend. My friend therefore got shut out of his own group when he got divorced, and that's where I came in. Since it was all families and couples or groups the age ranges and body types were all over the map. All sizes, ages and shapes. Like Peter G. Magic said earlier you get over being self conscious about your body fast. I was told that naturists were more 'hip', took singles and were more uniformly young and in shape. This was all years ago, not claiming to have any current information. One thing I DO have a problem with is clothing optional. For some reason it feels OK to me if EVERYBODY is nude, or nobody is. Some dressed and some not would make me feel just a tad on display or something. | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 557 Registered: 11-2005 |
and K SOze, my husband makes me close the blinds  dammit, I've been driving around all night!!! | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 1231 Registered: 2-2006 |
The nudist movement did start out in Germany in 1913. You would think that would have taken care of their anal retentiveness but alas. The Germans call it FKK "Freikoerperkultur" http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/FKK | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 2080 Registered: 5-2001 |
TomReingold - Yes! "Naked" still makes me laugh out loud - one of the funniest essays ever! fvf's gift question:
Sunscreen? Nah, just plenty of towels! | ||
| The3ofUs Citizen Username: The3ofus Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2006 |
How 'bout not passing judgement and minding your own business? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8539 Registered: 5-2001 |
If we stopped doing that, MOL would wither and die. | ||
| K_soze Citizen Username: K_soze Post Number: 560 Registered: 11-2005 |
Amen to that!! | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 1139 Registered: 4-2006 |
Survey says : Family Nude Vacation : May be freaky deaky, may be normal. Postings suggest: A "clothing optional" Mol get-together? |
