I'm afraid that the only solution that can help solve this problem would be a greater "balance" between men and women among single naturists, but I doubt that this will ever happen because the relationship to the body is different between men and women. and women find it harder to "show up" (due partly to a culture/education issue, and partly to a total lack of respect from some men!), and I have fear that we will never see any developments in this area.
Besides, I'm going to launch a survey to see the proportion of women who have taken up naturism thanks to their partner and vice versa, I'm almost certain that it is mainly men who have convinced their partner to take up naturism.

We have certainly come across a good mix of naturists over the years. Lots of families. Many single women, or women coming with their children after school or during school holidays. Also a surprising amount of couples where it is the man who is "covered - up" and not the female. Many male/female couples. Some same sex female couples, more single men or same sex male couples. I think the mix in Spain very much showed a majority to be couples, many retired, and couples with families. This used to be the case in the UK too, but since our return we have not seen a single family enjoying naturism which is rather concerning. Though admittedly the weather and Covid made last year pretty poor for naturists in the UK.

I think the danger of naturism becoming a purely male thing is that the internet in general is not safe or respectful towards women. Leading to women mistrusting naturism or at least only men being internet naturists. That idea then gets translated to the real world in peoples minds. The internet shapes our thoughts, trends, philosophies, politics, ideas etc. It is also lead primarily by the ideas of the internet giants in the USA and the USA attitudes in them. So if the common idea on Facebook is that naturism is unsuitable by many of its members in the USA, that idea filters through to the rest of the world. People in the UK do not think, well that is how American users of Facebook feel, they just assume that is how society feels. It is sad because we know that many users of ANW are Americans who embrace and respect naturism, but if the general consensus in the USA is one of not trusting naturism then that in time becomes the general consensus of the world. Not because the world purposely copies the USA but because the average person is subconsciously swayed by majority voices. The internet has opened the world to react quickly to misinformation, trends, ideas without border constraints. This can be positive, but I think primarily will be negative.  The world I think is going to become much less independent in its unique attitudes. Unless things change we will see not only naturism becoming less common but also topless beaches. Just as some spas in Europe are going against centuries of naked use to fit in with the concern of users from abroad. I may be wrong but I feel that if America can embrace and respect naturism and move away from the over sexualisation of women and transfer that attitude to the internet, then the rest of the world will follow. 

I am not suggesting that the USA is the only country that misinterprets naturism or disrespects women, far from it, but I do think that changes start some where and the best place for the start of good or bad internet trends (and the social knock on effect of the internet) is the USA. As, whether the Americans like it or not, a huge percentage of the world's attitudes are being shaped by internet users reading ideas that originate in the USA but are assumed to be how their neighbours are thinking. People are lazy. They don't on the whole research, consider, think, look at both sides...They just accept the internet like a God talking to them from up high. People would rather accept the rants from a person (who could be mad, have no training or real information) on You-tube about anything (Covid, for example) than believe the news, politicians, medical advisers... Look at all angles, yes, why not? Consider what the internet says, but do consider that this person could just be barking mad!

Look at how easy it is for someone to destroy someone through accusations that could be completely false on the internet. Or how easy it is to see riots all over the world because one mistake is made in one country. How much of reactive waves are politically sound or just an excuse for a bit of violence? The accusations made against naturism in the UK as being unsuitable for families, were made by people who enjoy causing trouble, the fears of safeguarding completely unfounded, and probably not believed by the thugs outside these building, but to the well intentioned on-lookers and internet users it makes naturism appear dangerous. Thankfully these protests were in the UK and so had minimal interest around the world, but what if the USA had similar protests? Could that destroy the idea of families all over the globe considering naturism as an option? 

The only way we can encourage naturism to be understood is to make sure it is given the best publicity possible, everywhere by everyone. It may seem ridiculous that Facebook is against harmless nudity, but that attitude probably does less damage than the "everything goes" attitude on Twitter that allows naturism to be damaged due to people saying they are naturists and then sharing some rather horrendous stuff. Federations, clubs, venues, couples, families, individuals - male and female- need to make clear stands. Unified across the globe educating, promoting, encouraging families and couples and women to stand up with the men and distancing themselves from anyone that misuses the term naturism (or the even more maligned nudism). If we want more women, we shouldn't encourage more women, we should encourage everyone. Respect for all and from all. No matter what age, what sexual orientation, whether you have no intention of ever having a family. Women will come if it is safe and universally suitable for all.

I may have a female partner, and I may have young children, but if I was a single man or had a male partner, I would still wish to only be a naturist if it was suitably respectful to women and children. If I wanted to go on holidays that didn't involve children (some people think children are noisy, badly behaved and annoying) then I would still wish that venue to be suitable for children in its behaviour. There is a world of difference between "adults only" and "x-rated." 

In our own small way, Anna and I are hoping to help fight against the sexualisation of the internet and the acceptability of distancing nudity and x-rated behaviour on ANW. There are so many places big and small that are using the internet for x-rated reasons, and as long as no one is harmed or abused then maybe that is fine, who am I to say? But the misuse of the word "naturism" is damaging the lifestyle and has to be fought. That is why we ask ANW members to report anyone who damages naturism here. We cannot stop the misuse elsewhere but we can keep this community safe. The more that people do this all over the internet and around the world, then the more likely it will be that naturism continues to attract positive women, happy families and respectful men in the future.

America is famous for its "puritanism" and they are so enslaved by religion that I am still amazed that they did not burn all naturists as "heretics"!
That said, I still note a certain improvement because at the beginning of naturism in the US this practice was reserved for "+18 years old" (with all the excesses that this implies), but it seems that the practice has become more "normalized ".
* They just accept the internet like a God talking to them from up high. People would rather accept the rants from a person (who could be mad, have no training or real information) on You-tube about anything (Covid, for example) than believe the news, politicians, medical advisers... Look at all angles , yes, why not? Consider what the internet says, but do consider that this person could just be barking mad! *
It's totally true, but it's also the fault of our governments because people have lost all confidence in the word of politicians so they are ready to believe anything and everything as long as it follows their sense of thinking. (take the example of people who think the earth is flat, you can tell them whatever you want, as long as you don't tell them the same thing as they think it will be just proof for them that you be part of the conspiracy!)... But we can also worry about the "quality" of our leaders (I'm thinking of Trump, for example, which this film made me think about: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wplebVZB8FQ ... Human stupidity in all its glory!), people would rather vote for an idiot with a "beautiful" smile who will promise anything and everything than for a smart person who will do what he can with the means he has.
It is totally impossible to fight against the sexualization of the internet, you have to live with it (much like tobacco or alcohol), so not being able to "hide" sexuality on the internet, the best thing is still to explain that what we see is not the reality! And in this naturism can help a lot because in pornographic videos we always see beautiful men / women, while in the naturist environment we see normal people which can help to make the difference between myth and reality.
I think our job as nudists is still to help balance nudity and sexuality (that's why I'm always appalled to see close-up sex or sex-related ads on sites "either saying naturist" etre-naturiste).

Hi Jean.

 

I can remember what it was like to be single, and the challenges of being able to connect with somebody with similar interests, ideals and values.

 

I honesty don’t think the situation you’re in is uniquely typified by “not enough women in naturism” or even a challenge specific to a conflict in interests around naturism.

 

So far as finding a compatible partner goes, trying to align on attributes is often quite difficult, even though that’s probably the most logical starting point.

 

When I first met my wife before we were married, it almost came as a surprise or kind of revelation to me that I might be interested in her romantically. We knew each other, corresponded a bit. We met a couple of times travelling, and it was on one of these occasions that I realised how at ease I was, and how easily we could hold a conversation.

 

It’s only after that, I began to wonder if our relationship might become something else. Eventually it did. Unsurprisingly she’d come to a similar realisation herself.

 

I’d say within marriage, and probably relationships in general, the biggest challenge is finding understanding. Whether it’s naturism or something else, like gardening or some other hobby or activity you don’t align on. Being able to establish a mutual respect and understanding is going to be the difference between constant point of friction, and getting along happily.

 

So my point is, I’d focus on finding somebody you click with on a number of levels, before worrying about what their views on naturism are.

Imagine finding a person into naturism, but you dislike many other things about them. That’s not going to work. Now imagine someone you click with on so many different levels. Chances are, when you have that level of synergy, even if they’re not into naturism, chances are when you explain why you are. The reasons and aspects you find value it in, odds are they’ll consider it.

 

Even if they don’t, the right person will respect and understand your choices. Even if they don’t agree or align, they’ll have enough respect for you that if it’s part of who you are; or what you have become, you’ll find a way to coexist. I know this first hand from own situation.

 

I don’t expect these thoughts will make things any easier for you, but I do hope it helps you reevaluate the situation you’re in so you’re able to work towards a resolution.

So true MystrD. We didn't meet through naturism, but because we got on so well, as best friends, comrades, kindred spirits, emotional supporters etc we found we had a lot in common and also trusted each others ideas and wants. So it was not surprising that we both enjoyed naturism, just as we both have similar political, parenting...ideas and also similar tastes in food, films, music, humour....

Not all happy couples enjoy the same things but the spectrum of things they do enjoy together may well include naturism.