People can always be rather surprised by others. When we told Steve's parents for example their reaction was so slight that we may as well have been telling them we like to have a walk some days. They really didn't seem fazed at all. 

I am still of the opinion that what someone says about you, or objects to in your life style, still says far more about them, than it ever will you. So, the question has to be, do you really want to give up something you enjoy, that is safe and not harmful to others, or do you allow this other person to rule of over your life and lifestyle?

It is true that to a degree we all have to compromise in our life, but compromise is not the same as domination, and the one thing I really do know for a fact, is that when people are dominated, they become unhappy, which leads to a whole host of other factors, including depression. I would ask.

Should you allow your joy to be stolen by another?

I feel the compromise here would be, agree to disagree, and continue, but say nothing to this person who objects.

I do think we can expand this situation out into wider society today, for this really is the crux of what we are seeing, the wider society which is uninformed about naturism has been led to believe that naturism is wrong, shameful and lewd by the media and religion, of which there is a strong inclusion of fear mongering. This leads to the suppression of the masses being their own liberated selves, and to a degree, with all their other twisted and wrong messages of control this leads to mass depression, which is what we are seeing currently in society.

Is no different than the mother (Media and Religion) and the son, (The masses)

Shame has always been a weapon of fake moral outrage, it is as old as society, and today we see it more and more used in a digital world, but the truth is, as individuals, we can only be who we are, and yes, even within that, we have to make compromises that allow us to live within the framework of society. This is something that naturists have figured out, which is why, we do not live 24/7 naked, but we can live a good proportion of it that way, dressing only when it is a requirement (Or compromise) to successfully navigate the mainstream.

Rin and myself still feel, the son should not have left naturism, but made a few changes that allowed for naturist activity, out of view of the mother, which is achievable. The result would have been, everyone knows, but no one life is inconvenienced.

I wonder how much of a difference there is between obstacles that stand in your way before trying something and the obstacles that stand in your way after trying something. 

Sometimes obstacles can be imagined that once you try something they no longer seem relevant. In naturism an obstacle for some may be "what if I find I become aroused" or "what if my body is judged as not worthy" - two obstacles that are found to be irrelevant once you try naturism. Such as found in this article: 10 poorly conceived reasons for not trying naturism

However new obstacles may arise. My family/partner doesn't approve, the costs are too high (in relation top travel or national events), you may be unfortunate enough to be offended by a dune dweller or pestered on the internet, maybe you country has legal issues or your location is not very welcoming to naturism, maybe your climate is a disappointment too.

I read that and my first reaction was WTF I mean he's a big boy, at 30 he needs to stand up for his own rights and beliefs. 

Then I read some the other posts and it got me thinking, as we don't know his full reasoning all we can do it accept the fact, whether we agree or not.

As for me I told all the important people in my life knowing they might not agree, My Mum (83 at the time) was first disaproving but once I explained more about Nudism (She though Naturism was to do with trees lol) She now supports me fully. 

My eldest son does not aprove at all, so changes the subject if it comes up, he knows I won't stop and he also knows I will always support him in whatever he does even if I disagree.  

Even my Ex Wife supports me in my naturism, she is 100% textile but when I told her her exact words were. "It's not for me but if it helps you and is a stress buster then go for it". All my Ex says is Be Careful which is the same as what Mum say's. Only because it is illegal here.

But then one of my longtime friends of over 40 years hit the roof and got down right nasty, I won't repeat the words she used to describe naturists or my response to her. 

Yet the other friends I told have all supported my choices in their own ways. 

I just don't know why people, especially families can't just live and let live. I mean do we have to make judgement on everything we don't personally understand or agree with? As for our grown up kids we can guide them very gently if we think it is needed, not rule them! It's their life at the end of the day.

This is a very interesting topic that I just doiscovered while looking for another topic on photographs (Which I assume Anna ANW is yet to start).

As I read through this thread I can't help thinking there's many broad aspects to this. Personal beliefs and desires vs. society's views and expectations, fears of some retaliation vs. potential actual retaliation, different relationships with colleages, friends, family, partners and their individual views. Each of these are a different perspective and prompt different thoughts and feelings about the topic.

My view of the individual who left naturism that started this conversation is that we don't know about the relationship between his mother and him. We cannot pass judgement either way about her proprietry or imposition on his lifestyle choices. Human psychology is very complicated and any assumptions we make are likely to be wrong. We cannot pass judgement on the mother because of our own desires for his participation in something we like. If we're going to be honest with ourselves and we're truly non-judgemental of others' bodies or situations then we should also respect his decision to leave, whatever his reasons were.

From my own perspective of naturism, as much as I like to participate, my opportunities are scarce. (More on this in a minute) I'm naked at home as often as possible and my wife tolerates it, but she does not generally participate other than brief moments usually associated with taking a shower. Her reasons for not participating are as valid as my reasons for wanting to particapate. We talk about nudity and potentially visiting clothing optional beaches. While not against the idea, my wife's reasons for not being nude are wide ranging from feing very fair skinned and getting sunburned (She's already had 6 small skin cancers cut out and it looks like another has formed), worrying about friends also visiting the same beach and discovering her nude, her own body image issues, predatory behaviours fromother people and, getting sweaty and uncomfortable particularly underneath her breasts. While I have my own views that don't match, I still respect her decision not to take part.

My own nudity at home is plagued with my own insecurities. We might live of a large block (just over 3.5 acres) but views from neighbours aren't private enough for a lot of outdoor nudity. I'm constantly worrying that friends might decide to pop over because they've already expressed views on nudity being abhorrent, rude, perverted etc. While I know my immediate neighbours, I don't know them well enough to broach the subject of my nudity and their thoughts, and one neighbour is already hostile for reasons unrelated to nudity. While I'm happy enough visiting clothing optional beaches because there's other's with similar view there, I still have concerns about the improper behaviour of the minority. And, it still remains, that the beach is a fair distance (about a 5 hour drive away) so outdoor nudity remains an occasional thing for me. I'm considering joining a closer nudist club, but still need to find out what the fees are because it too is a bit of a drive (maybe 1 to 2 hours) and I need to decide if getting naked with others is worth the cost.

On the subject of society's attitude to naturism, the reallity is that in spite of "us" knowing what it really is, "they" have already made up their minds based on no information and poor assumptions. It's very difficult to change their perspective because everything we say will be interpreted and tainted by their own views. Because of this I tend to live my naturist life in a clandestine way. It's just easier. I don't want to have to justify my choices in the face of uninformed, presumptive and negative comments. I don't like society's norms. I don't understand why there's so much fear, anger, sexualisation or ridicule of nudity. I may live my naturist life as a solitary one as a result. I may not have the opportunities for being nude outside, or swimming nude. But it's easier and I'll take what I can get.