nudism – Everyday Bares

Benefits of Growing Up Naked

Is it good to grow up in a naturist household?

**Yes, we had a clothed wedding.**
Photo by Jeremy Wong on Pexels.com

Being naked is good for my mental health – and I want to share it with my family. I take my clothes off as soon as I get home and I’d let my kids do the same, even in public when it’s allowed.

My wife occasionally participates in nudism with me, but more importantly she’s comfortable with her nude body around the house. It’s common to see her walking around naked or changing clothes in the Livingroom. She’s not as eager to undress at every opportunity as I am, but nudity doesn’t bother her.

I introduced her to nudism early in our relationship. It helps reduce the sexual urges before marriage but also helps us to be closer during marriage.

My friends and family know that I’m a naturist and they know how to knock before entering the house. There’s been a few awkward moments, but they usually end in laughter!

I feel much happier completely naked. But of course, this raises several questions. Should you be naked in front of your kids? Won’t children become more sexually promiscuous?

Nudity combats body shame and over-sexualization by promoting uniqueness and self-acceptance. Children raised in nude friendly homes tend to develop a healthy self-image and strong self-esteem.

There’s also a lack of evidence that nudity is harmful to children. Of course, it’s important to practice family nudity in a safe way that’s comfortable for everyone. Education, open communication, and respecting boundaries should be considered.

For legal reasons, it’s also important to differentiate between nudity and lewd behavior. Sexual intimacy between partners should be kept behind closed doors. There are also strict rules regarding the photography of nude children, requiring consent and ensuring that the images are not lewd or exploitive. You can read more here.

Here at Everyday Bares, we are careful never to post images of anyone – especially children – without consent. Any image here is either uploaded from us or publicly available with a quick Google search.

If you’re interested in getting naked with your kids, psycologytoday.com has a good article on what you need to know about nudity and your family.

The Bare Truth about the Age Gap

I’ll be blunt: there are a lot of old people into naturism.

That’s okay. We want people of all shapes, sizes, and ages to visit nudist resorts. The elderly are just as welcome as anyone else. However, the ratio of older adults to younger adults is concerning and indicates that naturism may be dying.

According to British Naturism, the average member is 60 years old. There are indeed younger adults participating in naturism, but it’s not as common.

There are several reasons why some seniors find naturism appealing:

1. Freedom and Liberation:

Naturism provides a sense of freedom and liberation from societal norms and expectations.

As people age, they may become more comfortable with their bodies and less concerned about judgment.

2. Body Positivity:

Naturism promotes body positivity and self-acceptance.

Older adults may appreciate the opportunity to embrace their bodies without shame or criticism.

3. Connection to Nature:

Naturists often seek a closer connection to nature.

Being naked outdoors allows individuals to feel more in tune with the natural world.

4. Social Interaction:

Naturist communities offer social interaction and a sense of belonging.

Seniors may enjoy meeting like-minded people and participating in group activities.

5. Health Benefits:

Sun exposure can provide vitamin D, which is essential for bone health.

Naturists often spend time outdoors, benefiting from fresh air and sunlight.

6. Reduced Stress:

Being in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment can reduce stress and promote overall well-being.

Remember that naturism is a personal choice, and not all older adults are interested in practicing it. Everyone’s reasons for embracing naturism may vary, but the common thread is a desire for authenticity, acceptance, and connection with others and nature.

I sometimes meet college students and young families at naturist parks and events. Young people also appreciate the freedom, body positivity, and sense of community that naturism offers. It’s a way for them to connect with nature, embrace their bodies, and foster acceptance.

Some adults may even bring their children along. Naturists believe that children can benefit from naturism by developing a positive body image, a natural curiosity, and a respect for diversity. However, the time between eight and ten years old seems to be when children start becoming more self-conscious about nudity and may begin shielding their eyes or wearing more clothing.

I suspect that older children and teens – even those growing up naked – will turn away from nudism. I understand why teenagers wouldn’t be interested in walking around naked considering their raging hormones and changing bodies. That’s okay. Nobody should be forced to be nude at home or engage in naturism. What we can do is make nudity normal and give our kids space to be themselves. I’m very pro clothing-optional and think children should be allowed to express themselves with the clothes they wear (or not to wear).

We (and by we I mean naturist parks) also need to continue to make naturism attractive to teens and young adults. It’s important that they have people their age to interact with, talk to, and have fun together. I’m afraid if we don’t naturism will die, and we will continue the spiral of body shame and sexual immorality in our culture.

To get more young people interested in naturism, we should:

1. Encourage participation in online naturist communities and incorporate naturism education in schools.

2. Combine naturism with eco-friendly activities like beach cleanups.

3. Welcome everyone regardless of background or identity.

4. Highlight naturism’s positive impact on body image and well-being. 🌿🌞🌱

Do you have any idea on how to get young people involved in naturism? If so, drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!

The Erection Question

What if my penis suddenly got bigger?

It’s the top question I get from guys interested in social nudity. The fact is erections don’t occur very often.

It’s natural for people to have physiological responses, including erections, in certain situations, regardless of whether they’re clothed or nude. However, nudist communities typically emphasize non-sexual nudity and respectful behavior. In these environments, individuals are expected to manage any physiological responses discreetly and respectfully to maintain the non-sexual atmosphere particularly in the presence of families and children.

Naturist organizations often have guidelines or codes of conduct that address appropriate behavior, which may include respecting others’ personal space, refraining from sexual activity or behavior, and maintaining a non-sexual environment. Erections, if they occur, are treated as a natural bodily function, and are not necessarily viewed as inappropriate unless they are accompanied by behavior that violates the community’s standards. In such cases, individuals may be asked to cover up or leave the area to maintain the respectful and non-sexual atmosphere that naturist communities strive to uphold.

‘Yes, erections are a natural bodily function; however, an erection at a public nudist setting is generally considered inappropriate.’

When a nudist experiences an erection in a social nudist setting, the typical response is to handle it discreetly and respectfully, in line with the norms and etiquette of the nudist community. Here are some common approaches that nudists may take:

Covering Up: If you feel comfortable doing so, use a towel or clothing to discreetly cover your erection until it subsides. This helps maintain the non-sexual atmosphere of the nudist environment and ensures that others, especially children, are not made uncomfortable.
Changing Activity or Position: Nudists may choose to subtly change their activity or position to minimize attention to the erection. For example, they might move to a different area of the beach, engage in a different activity, or sit in a more private spot until the erection naturally fades away.
Remaining Calm and Natural: It’s best to remain calm and relaxed if an erection occurs. Panicking or drawing attention to it can make the situation more uncomfortable for everyone involved. Instead, nudists often aim to maintain a natural and nonchalant demeanor while discreetly managing the situation.
Respecting Others’ Space: Respect the personal space and boundaries of others, particularly families and children. Avoid any actions or behaviors that could be perceived as inappropriate and maintain a respectful distance to ensure their comfort.
Leaving the Area: In some cases, if an erection persists or if the individual feels particularly uncomfortable, they may choose to leave the social nudist setting temporarily until the erection naturally resolves.

It’s important to remember that erections are natural bodily responses and are not inherently inappropriate. However, in nudist environments where the focus is on non-sexual nudity and respect for others, individuals typically aim to manage erections discreetly and respectfully to maintain the relaxed and respectful atmosphere of the community.

Start Slowly: If you’re nervous about jumping into social nudism right away, consider starting with smaller steps, such as spending time nude in the privacy of your own home or exploring clothing-optional beaches or resorts where you can gradually acclimate to social nudity in a more controlled environment.

This is a nuanced topic. It’s not as simple as “erections are bad and should be covered.” The truth is an erection can happen at any moment. A gentle touch from my wife is all it takes sometimes. I try not to think about it and let it go away on its own. For that reason, I’m honestly not offended by the sight of another man’s erect penis. However, flaunting an erection in front of naked woman or children are not cool!

Overall, it’s essential to approach the topic of erections in nudist settings with sensitivity, respect, and awareness of their well-being. By prioritizing education, communication, and safety measures, nudist communities can create inclusive and supportive environments where everyone can feel comfortable and respected.

Boundaries of the Birthday Suit

I’m comfortable in my birthday suit, even around my family. Yes. I’m naked in my house – I even drafted this article clothes-free! I suppose you expected that because I am a nudist.

So, I’m a nudist and my wife is comfortable with nudity. We don’t have any kids yet, but you may be wondering if that would complicate our clothes-free lifestyle. The truth is kids complicate everything and our culture’s distorted view of the human body only makes it harder.

It’s important to set boundaries and rules when practicing nudity in your family. We are clean and hygienic when spending time in the nude. Remember to wipe your bums extra clean!

Let each family member decide what feels comfortable to them. I, for example, do not feel comfortable having conversations or company when I’m on the toilet! I value my privacy in the bathroom and respect others’ need for privacy as well.

Some fathers worry about bathing with their daughters, but you can use bath time to teach and bond with your kid. Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

I think it’s okay to take baths and showers with your kids. It’s also okay not to. Children tend to develop a sense of modesty and desire for privacy around five years old. By then it’s okay to leave them alone in the tub and respect their wishes for privacy. This also gives them an opportunity to do something on their own and learn some independence. As they get older it’s still okay to take showers together (as is commonplace in locker rooms and nudist camps) so long as extra boundaries are put in place. Always ask for consent and respect their autonomy.

Set rules for when being naked is okay and appropriate. While it may be okay to be nude at home, clothing should be worn around guests. Sometimes it’s okay for young children to be nude outside the home (such as friends’ houses, campgrounds, and beaches) but clothing must be worn in school and all other public spaces.

Nudist families, like any other family, establish boundaries to create a healthy and respectful environment. We just like to be naked and incorporate nudity into our everyday lives. If we want to raise the next generation to have a healthy view of the human body and make safe choices, it’s important we practice family nudity and practice it well.