There are two things I've seen going on regarding resorts that have helped me gauge which ones I'll visit, as they have become warning signs. The first is the single male policy many adopt. While some view it as a safety for women, it can and does often hold another reason. One place I visited has strict policies and a remark made by the lady at the front desk made me stop and think about things. "Would you want to be around a bunch of naked men?"

Let's stop and ponder this...What's done at resorts are supposed to be no different than anywhere else, right? Do we go around saying, "Gee, there are way too many men here" when we are in clothed environments? I started looking at gender ratios everywhere else and honestly, there are many times when there are noticeably more men, yet nobody complains. Nudity isn't involved, so nobody cares. If they suddenly start caring when nudity is involved, that tells me they are adding an element of attraction or sexuality to the situation. So, they say they are "nudist/naturist" but even if they don't realize it, they are telling me they are adding attraction/sexuality. It seems to be subconscious.

Many will say it's to attract more women. Fine, but don't assume I'm a creep just because I'm a man. Sexism works both ways. I also start to wonder at times when one is hostile toward men altogether, yet welcoming of women. They raise red flags to me, and I wonder why they want to attract more women at that point and if it's just for more eye candy. I pay close attention to comments people make and those regarding a "sausage fest" really stick out. Quite frankly, I'm going to remember how I was regarded as a man at those places when I do have a girlfriend or wife. Would I want to bring my gf/wife to be around those people? Is she going to be "eye candy", since they don't want a "sausage fest"? 

The second thing is regarding 21+. I know there are those who say they want to be free of kids to relax, but this is also causing issues. Openly stating 21+ gives the wrong impressions, since saying this often means it is "adults only" and therefore must include sexual conduct. I've been seeing more resorts implementing 21+ rules, and honestly in many situations it coincides with new owners who are a LOT more "lifestyle" friendly than before. Even if there is a rule of no open play, it will inevitably attract people for the wrong reasons, and they're going to push limits as far as they can. Is it any wonder men come to gawk and do some "window shopping"? What are we really trying to attract?

Now to bring this back to topic...When these two things are affecting resorts, it's no wonder people are getting the wrong ideas. Even non-naturists ponder these things. They see there are issues within our "community" and don't want anything to do with it.

It's not just the general public we need to discuss things with. We need to take a long hard look at ourselves and discuss some things. Changes won't be made with everyone else when we are not looking at things we do that are helping to contribute to why society is further viewing us as perverts.

We do not think people realise how relevant this forum is at the moment. We are our usual bright open, transparent selves, with a huge passion for naturism, especially grass roots and family inclusive naturism. If we could ask one thing, it would be that more members add to this thread, or at least read it because it is vital for the survival of naturism that this one massively important topic within naturism is fully understood, so a solution can be found.

Naturism in the UK has stalled when it comes to families, the most influential organisation has backed away from this subject for three years, and in doing so has created a quiet retreat into the shadows by clubs and businesses, and it is harming naturism, because in a sense, it is proving that all those nay sayers out there who protest or view naturism with suspicion, are RIGHT!

The only cure can come from education, that is done from within the naturist community. We tried, we really did, we came up with a logo that could be recognised internally to try and get naturism to pay attention and actually start to talk about coming out of hiding and returning to normality. We were told that major organisations do not like secret symbols, as they create suspicion, this from an organisation that hides the details of a family event until a week before, when a secret email is sent out to those who booked to keep all the details safe from “vigilantes”

For over a year we have witnessed language that is fearful, a rhetoric that creates the illusions of attack at any moment from hidden groups that will pounce out and create havoc, and label all naturists as perverts, and child abusers, and that is from the inside. We got attacked on other platforms for airing these views, and for saying that the problem is internal and there is a need for debate, it was pretty awful stuff that came to our inboxes, and it shook us for a moment, we even considered walking away from social naturism completely.

It is our honest (and seen as controversial) opinion that it matters not what is seen or said outside of naturist circles, currently the problem is internal, and apart from ANW and Bare Oaks in Canada, we know of no other organisations that are brave enough to actually sit down as naturists and openly discuss what is the huge issue internally.

 

Naturism needs families, because if it does not stand up and defend what is proven fact, (Children are not harmed by naturism) and continues on this road towards 18+, two things will happen, the first is, the old will die, and clubs will empty and not find replacements, and those young idealistic 18 yr olds, will settle down, have families, and then find themselves out in the cold, and naturism as we understand it will die and the libertines will move in, buy up everything, and traditional naturism, will die forever.

We heard someone comment that talking about families is dangerous, and we have seen emails that say, stop talking about families, and that was inside naturism, and high up. That is the problem we all face, it is our task, as traditional naturists to stand up and call out clubs and organisations, and get the conversations started. We also need to speak out against misrepresentation by news papers who peddle their ridicule and garbage at naturists, and not in the comments section, by writing on mass and filling their inboxes with complaints.

It beggars belief that if you speak out against Trans people, you can be convicted of hate speech, and sued for damages, why is naturism not doing the same, why are we not complaining on mass and threatening legal actions for hate speech, we have just the same equal rights as any other minority?

We need to talk, to educate, and where applicable get mad and threaten action, and clubs, businesses, societies and national organisations need to fully understand that if they do stand with us and support us, we will vote with our feet and leave, and stand back and watch them sink into the mire of lower income.

Families do not need naturism, it is the opposite, naturism needs families and it is time they woke up and realised that.

 

In regard to single males, we will also add it is something we really support, the inclusion of single males as equals. Excluding single men, implies are single men are dangerous to women, it is insulting and offensive, and clubs should be called out on it.

Naturism needs families, because if it does not stand up and defend what is proven fact, (Children are not harmed by naturism) and continues on this road towards 18+, two things will happen, the first is, the old will die, and clubs will empty and not find replacements, and those young idealistic 18 yr olds, will settle down, have families, and then find themselves out in the cold, and naturism as we understand it will die and the libertines will move in, buy up everything, and traditional naturism, will die forever.

The "old ways" will certainly die, because the younger people have an entirely skewed view of naturism. Even if clubs don't die, they will become more 18/21+ and the wrong ideas will continue to spread. It's just viewed more and more as "adult only" and this will naturally come with sexual connotations.

New young families will want nothing to do with it and the cycle will continue. Sure, they'll have interest in it, but how are they going to react when resorts/clubs are 18/21+? There will be few if any places to practice socially, where even their kids may have the opportunities to interact with others their age who were raised as naturists.

In regard to single males, we will also add it is something we really support, the inclusion of single males as equals. Excluding single men, implies are single men are dangerous to women, it is insulting and offensive, and clubs should be called out on it.

People do need to realize there will come a time those single males start a family of their own. I remarked at a resort that is hostile toward single men about not wanting to be seen as a "creep". Some guy said it was so women feel safe, but apparently my point went right over his head and I didn't say another word to him. Why is this view so common among women? Maybe because all men are viewed as perverts? You keep holding and spreading that view, then don't be surprised when it scares people off. This is a huge problem I've seen lately with women on social media. I've seen videos of innocent men in gyms being accused of being creeps just for a quick glance at these women. Maybe they were wondering why they're setting up cameras, instead of working out. What about these videos and commercials trying to make all men look like perverts (I'm looking at you, Gillette). Oh, and ladies, I know you can be just as bad as the men, but quieter. I've heard remarks in clothed places about men found attractive. Women are just more discreet and even whisper among themselves.

Dale said:
 Openly stating 21+ gives the wrong impressions, since saying this often means it is "adults only" and therefore must include sexual conduct.
 



This is so true. To a lot of non naturists there can be no doubt that seeing " adults only" or "18/ 21+" with regards to any gathering of naturists means that there must be something dodgy going on. Why is it that any major organization cannot see this? It's so obvious.

I shared my thoughts here before.  The ecomnics play a part in this dismal trend and (here's a controversial point) maybe it has something to be with the naturist parents too?

Are we rooting for naturism enough to make it a family tradition?  Is it something that can actually be done?

Almost all leaders in naturism see their kids turned textiles.  There are only a few exceptional cases where naturist businesses are passed down generations.  Many naturist parents themselves often take pride themselves in not mandating nudity at home, to give everyone a choice.  Is this practice losing the younger generations?  In not allowing kids to tell their friends that they live in a naturist household, also telling them that they probably shouldn't do the same when they have their own household? 

Yes there are successful multi-generation naturist families out there but they don't spill their secrets of success. Maybe as opposed to always go philosophical on the topic, we just get naturist families to share their stories it will inspire young families to start their journey into this holistic lifestyle that is naturism.  That's how they did it without the internet back in the 50s and 60s!