Naturism, what it is all about

Naturism is simply about the enjoyment of being alive. Quite a few people find life more comfortable without being restricted by clothing. Some only go naked on holiday but an increasing number go about their daily lives without clothes. Whether or not the word naturist is used, the outcome is the same, people finding life can be better naked.

There is an argument that opposes the "ism" in naturism, i.e. the idea that naturists (or nudists) follow a set of norms that allows them to fit in with other naturists. Whilst some people like firm guidelines, many of those who live a life without clothes have an individualistic character, preferring to think for themselves. This is a strong idea but leads to clumsy descriptions in writing such as this. For the sake of clarity, I use the word naturist to mean anyone who enjoys living without clothes for at least part of their lives, but could equally well have used the word nudist.

Naturism is not like many activities, something you do for an hour or two a week then go home, it is a way of life, a lifestyle, practised because it is enjoyable. We do not frequent 'nudist colonies', a term used by the tabloids to be rude about a minority. Naturism is not about sex, a socially nude environment is simply not erotic. Naturism is not another word for exhibitionism, a quick look at the glossy magazines will show where they like to be. Children take to it as a duck to water, any shame about nudity is taught to them by the adults in their lives. Poll after poll has shown that naturists have lower rates of teenage pregnancy, abortion and sex crimes and higher rates of happy, stable relationships. These same polls also show that the number of people who are offended by nudity is very small, less than 2% in the UK. It is estimated that over 2 million people have enjoyed at least part of their life naked, perhaps on holiday, in the sauna or their back garden.

Leaving aside religious beliefs, some would point out the risk to public order if nudity became widespread. Such order would only be affected by those who made a fuss about nudity but modern experience shows there are very few such people. Should therefore the law and its enforcing agencies follow the clarion call of these few? The law in England is such that public nudity is not illegal, but the police often take the contrary view, with individual officers reacting to the fuss of the few and acting as though is was illegal. This is tantamount to bullying, the loudest voices being obeyed at the expense of the many. Democracy is supposed to be the will of the majority. Parliament has debated the issue and passed legislation that does allow public nudity, but some police have yet to find out. When they do, public order would then maintained by detaining the fussy few, not the peaceful majority.