I have been in the doldrums too. It often feels like I have said everything I want to say and writing a new post I'd just be rehashing something I said before. Hoping to go on a nude hike with a group in the mountains south of LA this weekend. It is looking more and more like I'll have to replace the knee if I'm going to keep hiking.
We are definitely a subculture. "a cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture." - Oxford Languages Dictionary
Funny! I've never regarded not wearing anything as a subculture! To be honest, every since early childhood I've never really carried the nudist / naturist label either. Being naked to my family is simply another optional dress code that makes sense when it's too hot or uncomfortable for clothes - or if I'm simply too lazy to put any clothes on!
People have a right to be naked or clothed. Nudism should be considered as a lifestyle choice. There are groups and communities where people of all ages who live the nudist lifestyle it shouldn't be a subculture.
I guess we are all placed in subcategories. But, as I see it, since we naked people don’t really fit anywhere, as in, we, as a group, are not legally recognized, we are outliers. We exist outside of society mores. To be sure, there are many more groups that don’t fit. That’s fine with me.
Not sure what defines a sub-culture, but I'm increasingly inclined to consider naturism a creed. Colins dictionary defines a creed as: A creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work. That pretty well sums it up for me. Since people can't freely socialize in public nude we are definitely outliers, but naturism is a philosophy people in this forum believe in. Furthermore, a creed is constitutionally protected. Taking this position may force open the door to wider acceptance, and access to beaches and parks that are much more accessible than now.
"We simply take off our clothes more often than most, I suppose, and sometimes we socialize with others"
Maybe my attitude or viewpoint is slightly different. I would suggest- We simply don't wear clothes as often as most. To me it is not about removing clothes for comfort, but putting them on for the benefit of others.
Good point, drawing a distinction between subcultures defined by costumes and one by defined by nakedness. As an environmentalist, I see discomfort with nudity as alienation from the nearest patch of nature.
Naturism/Nudism Should Not Be Regarded As A Subculture In The The Twenty-First Century after all we are All Born Naked and indeed some of us also had the Good Fortune to be Raised As Such when the weather was appropriate. Coincidently I don't know about New Zealand Or Anywhere Else In The Southern Hemisphere but so far spring has been good in Australia.
I've always thought of it as more counter-culture than a subculture. But I guess, hey, however you want to label it. Or not label it. Just take your clothes off... it's all good :)
Nudism as a subculture?
I have been in the doldrums too. It often feels like I have said everything I want to say and writing a new post I'd just be rehashing something I said before. Hoping to go on a nude hike with a group in the mountains south of LA this weekend. It is looking more and more like I'll have to replace the knee if I'm going to keep hiking.
We are definitely a subculture. "a cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture." - Oxford Languages Dictionary
Funny! I've never regarded not wearing anything as a subculture! To be honest, every since early childhood I've never really carried the nudist / naturist label either. Being naked to my family is simply another optional dress code that makes sense when it's too hot or uncomfortable for clothes - or if I'm simply too lazy to put any clothes on!
People have a right to be naked or clothed. Nudism should be considered as a lifestyle choice. There are groups and communities where people of all ages who live the nudist lifestyle it shouldn't be a subculture.
I guess we are all placed in subcategories. But, as I see it, since we naked people don’t really fit anywhere, as in, we, as a group, are not legally recognized, we are outliers. We exist outside of society mores. To be sure, there are many more groups that don’t fit. That’s fine with me.
Not sure what defines a sub-culture, but I'm increasingly inclined to consider naturism a creed. Colins dictionary defines a creed as: A creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work. That pretty well sums it up for me. Since people can't freely socialize in public nude we are definitely outliers, but naturism is a philosophy people in this forum believe in. Furthermore, a creed is constitutionally protected. Taking this position may force open the door to wider acceptance, and access to beaches and parks that are much more accessible than now.
"We simply take off our clothes more often than most, I suppose, and sometimes we socialize with others"
Maybe my attitude or viewpoint is slightly different. I would suggest- We simply don't wear clothes as often as most. To me it is not about removing clothes for comfort, but putting them on for the benefit of others.
Enjoy your commentary
Good point, drawing a distinction between subcultures defined by costumes and one by defined by nakedness. As an environmentalist, I see discomfort with nudity as alienation from the nearest patch of nature.
Not "subculture"; *counterculture*. We stand against the prevailing culture as much as anarchists and Sixties hippies do and did.
a nice brief review of the current naturism issues...
Naturism/Nudism Should Not Be Regarded As A Subculture In The The Twenty-First Century after all we are All Born Naked and indeed some of us also had the Good Fortune to be Raised As Such when the weather was appropriate. Coincidently I don't know about New Zealand Or Anywhere Else In The Southern Hemisphere but so far spring has been good in Australia.
Thanks for the love for Planet Nude! I’ve been a fan and follower of The Naturism Community since the start.
I've always thought of it as more counter-culture than a subculture. But I guess, hey, however you want to label it. Or not label it. Just take your clothes off... it's all good :)
yes