Nudism & Youth
Grace J. offers her
insights into young nudism from a family perspective
Most Americans are
shocked at the relative ease with which Europeans blend their beach
holidays with communal nudity. In Eastern Europe nudist campgrounds are
common (see related video selections), where young and old nudists
mingle with safety and ease.
Is it a healthy
practice? Most who have experienced it says yes, but the majority of
Americans wouldn't be able to come to terms with the concept, let alone
imagine group nudity themselves. In front of their children? Never!
And wisely so in some
communities. It takes a generally enlightened view to accept and equate
nudity with optimizing our enjoyment of nature. If one views nudity unequivocally
with sex, they should exclude themselves from nudist environments,
particularly where young people congregate.
Don't
assume U.S. nudist resorts are necessarily safe for children...
While the
coasts are generally noted for their higher tolerances of "nude
behaviors," the Midwest has a surprising number of family related
nudist resorts and events. These are seldom "naturalistic," as
they involve gated communities, secrecy and often, nearly certainly, are
not warrens of health and probity, though exceptions do occur. Take the kids?
In this country it's impossible to gave a blanket recommendation.
European
Family Nudists
Best bet?
If you and your family enjoy mixing nudity with nature, it's perfectly
natural and healthy to do so. The younger the better for adaptation. It
would be difficult to expect a teen daughter to suddenly embrace a new
ideology involving nudity. Unfortunately, if not raised with a liberal
view towards nudity, it's not likely to arrive after the onset of puberty.
However, exposure to nudism via a family trip to European beaches could
change even the most ardent textile only advocate. "Cool" is
often determined by whims of the moment.
Can
blended families practice nudism together?
Should
blended families (involving step children) consider family nudism? It
really depends on the ages of the children. Generally, once adapted to
blended family circumstances, if mom and dad hot tub naked, the kids might
want to as well. This happened in my own family when the children were
quite young (mixed ages and genders). And I'm happy it did. Not only does
the experience increase bonding, it helps children cope with their varying
body shapes and styles. All our children, now in their late teens, have
healthy attitudes towards their bodies and the opposite sex, have not
suffered from sexual mischief or promiscuity, and still enjoy skinny
dipping with the family. Now, that's unusual in this country, but it does
happen!
Grace J.
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