Naturism: Lifestyle, Culture or Practice?

Naturism is more than just taking your clothes off. It is a life philosophy with physical, psychological, environmental, social and moral benefits. The basic tenets of naturists are respect for self, for others and for the environment. But what is naturism really? Is it a lifestyle? A culture? Or is the practice of nudity simply that, a practice? Let’s examine the meaning of those terms with the assistance of a dictionary.

Lifestyle: the typical way of life of an individual, group, or culture

Culture: (a) the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations (b) the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group ; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time (e.g. popular culture, southern culture) (c) the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization. (d) the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic.

Practice: a repeated or customary action; the usual way of doing something.

Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Clearly all of these definitions contain elements applicable to naturism. Naturists are a part of the encompassing social group nudists. We do hold customary beliefs, social forms and exhibit material traits of that social group. Nudism is a typical way of life for the naturist. And naturists tend to repeat the customary act of spending time nude. So I think it fair to say that all of these terms help to define naturism. It is at the same time a lifestyle, a culture and a practice. While the naturist might feel most comfortable and most complete while enjoying the state of nudeness, realistically because of the dictates of society there are times when we must be clothed. Still, I don’t think it is necessary for one to follow the tenants of either a lifestyle or a culture 24/7 in order to identify with that culture or to be considered a part of the lifestyle.

Being nude is an incredibly liberating experience, to me an experience like no other. Not having pockets to carry around a cell phone or keys is a pleasant change that just seems to make life seem simpler and more distant from the material world. To me being nude just feels normal. Those are I suppose some of the most basic reasons I have adopted the lifestyle and culture or the naturist and do regularly practice spending time nude.

The naturist/nudist image does suffer to a degree from stereotyping because many Americans do equate nudity with sex. That is simply a false premise as sex with strangers isn't at all a part of naturism. You can find such activity at “alternative adult” resorts but that scene is a universe removed from what nudism is about. The majority of nudists are not swingers, but some swingers are nudists. Nudism should therefore never be confused with the “adult alternative lifestyle,” which is a sector of the travel business. Sex tourism or swinger travel, where people “swap” sexual partners and where recreational sex is the theme has really nothing but nakedness in common with the activities that occur in traditional naturist social gatherings. Casual social nudity is by intent and agreement an atmosphere free of sexual vibes.