I'm in what I would call an evolutionary stage with my loving wife. When I first told her I was going to visit a landed naturist club, she was mildly negative and skeptical of my motives. I had done some research and I explained the whole picture of naturism, of today's more tolerant society towards all kinds of nudism, that I had no ulterior motives etc. And my main thought to myself and to her is that this is almost a "bucket list" thing that I want to do before I get old and decrepit! I've invited her to join me but right now she has no interest in that, and I understand her reasons spoken and most importantly, unspoken. So, I'm limiting myself to twice a month visits to the landed club. I don't feel restrained, and look forward to each visit.
As to the 30 year old put off by his mother, to me this is another example of a widespread phenomena, at least here in the States: the failure of young men to "launch", to become men, to enter manhood, to learn personal responsibility and to be self supporting and independent, which hopefully leads to becoming good fathers. It's all of a piece. No sympathy from me. Mommy doesn't run your life, son; you do, so get on with it.
I was chatting once again today to someone who fears their naturism being "public knowledge" due to their career. One half of the couple works in education. They are Life Members of ANW but have concerns about sharing imagery in case it is picked up on by some one they know. Understandable concerns and we get their want to protect themselves.
What is sad is that naturism continues to carry this stigma. Why should we have to be concerned about others knowing and what may happen if they do.
I would like to also mention this topic, that relates to people actually rejecting naturism because of this real concern to them.
and on the other side of the coin we have this topic https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/103/being-naked-in-front-of-others
...where people recognise that others simply do not care about their naturism and accept it for what it is: harmless.
But these obstacles are genuine concerns (no matter how unfair and wrong it is) and they are something negative we all have to carry with us as naturists. For even those who do not have these worries know that naturism is not recognised as the popular lifestyle that it should be because of others hiding it.
These obstacles do discourage others from being naturists, and talking about naturism, trying naturism and encourage people to reject naturism, mistrust naturism and not understand it. It limits the growth of naturism and the ability for naturism to be properly talked about. And it allows the misuse of naturism to go unchecked and inappropriate nude behaviour to be branded as part of our lifestyle. It allows clubs and national bodies to at times make mistakes in how they present naturism and at the same time makes it more awkward for them to present it accurately. As the fear grows and germinates creating bigger obstacles and concerns.
The family friendly aspect of naturism becomes more underplayed, the drip, drip, drip of sexualised nudity becomes more and more acceptable within naturism (to reflect the growing trend of acceptable sexualised nudity on the internet and the social philosophy that other nudity such as sports changing rooms or skinny dipping is what is actually perverse) and the idea that naturism is at best a slightly seedy, adult only, lifestyle to be hidden within organised events becomes the new understanding of naturism that in return only reinforces the need for people to have obstacles in their path hampering their naturism.
What we need more than ever in the modern internet world of shame, shock and shush is for those who are not hampered by obstacles to ensure naturism is presented clearly and genuinely. This has to be led by our national bodies, then the clubs, venues and events, platforms like ANW and then those individuals who are comfortable sharing real naturism. Not just promoting real naturism but also denouncing non real naturism. There are too many people happy to allow naturism to be "redesigned" for short term modern tastes without considering the harm it is actually causing for the future of naturism. "Naturist representatives" need to stop accepting the adult only, exhibitionist, sexual orientation obsessed naturism as the only naturism that people are comfortable to promote! They need to step up and start presenting a naturism that we can actually be proud of. This is not only a way for those who can promote naturism supporting those who cannot, but it also will make it easier for more people to not have obstacles and to not fear what may happen if their naturism is public knowledge, or known by family and friends. Basically the more we see naturism as correctly portrayed by those who can, then the more we will see others finding their strength and eventually the more naturism with be accepted by others and on and on.
Anna, you raise a very important and complex issue—one that affects not just individuals who practice naturism but the entire movement’s ability to grow and be recognized for what it truly is: a wholesome, body-positive, and non-sexual way of living.
It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of naturists who feel they must hide their lifestyle, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because of the deeply ingrained societal stigma around simple nudity.
This stigma, as you rightly point out, doesn’t just affect individuals—it holds back the entire movement. It forces naturism into the shadows, allowing misconceptions to thrive and even encouraging the hijacking of naturist spaces by those with different, often sexualized, intentions. The secrecy imposed upon naturists becomes a self-perpetuating cycle: the more people hide, the less understood naturism becomes, and the more fear and misunderstanding grow.
So how do we change this? The solution is both personal and collective. We need national bodies, naturist organizations, and platforms like ANW to set the record straight. But we also need individuals who are comfortable sharing their naturism openly, demonstrating through their actions that nudity is not inherently sexual, shameful, or abnormal. The more people who stand up for real naturism, the less power the stigma holds.
However, for those who fear being "outed," their concerns must be taken seriously. We can encourage open naturism, but we must also support those who, due to personal or professional reasons, cannot be as vocal. Not everyone is in a position to openly declare their naturism, and that’s okay. The goal should not be to pressure everyone into coming out, but rather to change society so that one day, being a naturist will be as uncontroversial as being a vegetarian, a surfer, or a cyclist.
So, how do we move forward? Education, normalization, and representation. We must keep showing real naturism—body-positive, non-sexual, and family-friendly—to challenge the distorted narratives that seek to redefine us. Every time we openly and positively present naturism, we contribute to a future where fewer people will feel the need to hide.
Over the weekend we had an email from a Member saying he is having to leave the site, and naturism, because after years of pressure from his partner (and family) he is finally calling it a day! He thanked us for everything we have done for naturism with ANW, and we told him that if things ever changed the community here would welcome him back.
It is sad that naturism carries these problem for some. It is unfair and naturism deserves people to think better of it, and be supportive of those who find it.
Have you ever had to deal with such pressure? Share your thoughts here.
