breathe deep. seek peace.

ANNIE HSIAO-CHING WANG

Ok, here goes. Nudity, at least for me, comes in stages–or layers. Of course children are naked at birth and enjoy being naked after they’re potty trained because it really is the natural and instinctive way to be. But for older children and adults, we lose that innocent and natural instinct…because “clothes”.

Necessitative Nudity For most people they are only nude or of the necessity the situation or activity that they are currently in. Some may be extremely nervous in those scenarios, but most recognize the necessity of these circumstancesand willingly strip down. The situations and circumstances are pretty obvious. By necessity, one must be naked to bathe, to change clothes, to be checked by a medical doctor, or to be prepped for surgery. Some of these may extend beyond ‘private moments’ alone or with your physician, and may include a small group of others–friends, familymembers, etc. Giving birth with close family at hand comes to mind, as does using a restroom at a club or a locker room at a gym or spa.

Sexual Nudity Here’s where everyone freaks out. If you’re naked with someone outside of those necessitative nude moments, it MUST be for sex! Well, no. ..but having sex does–by necessity–require nudity to some extent. In the moments of passion and romance, most people don’t mind stripping down for a roll in the hay! But sexual nudity extends beyond just the act of intercourse. Cooking a romantic meal wearing only an apron is definitely in this catagory. Showers together or an intimate strip tease are certainly examples of sexual nudity. Basically, any nudity that is given the intent or purpose of arousing sexual desire or instigating sexual intercourse resides firmly in this camp. But, as you will read, nudity is NOT exclusively bound to the act or intimation of sex.

Familial Nudity Children are, by nature, very instinctive toward nudity. Their innocence, coupled with their natural curiosity, makes them want and need to see their family members nude too. So, parents can and should be nude with their children. And it’s safer for them as well. Bathing with your toddler and preschooler eliminates the possibility of accidental tub deaths. Skin on skin contact between parent and child deepens bonding. Seeing parents and siblings nude answers many unspoken questions about their bodies and what others look like, which reduces the unrealistic expectations society had placed on body types and beauty.

Casual Nudity Casual nudity is that point in your life where you have accepted your body and if others see it, it’s no big deal. This may be a group of bffs hanging out nude at a spa or sauna. A party where you get dared to flash yourself at others. It’s not sexual, and it’s not like you hang out nude with others all the time, but if your seen naked by others on occasion, you won’t panic. Usually this is found within close knit circles of same sex friends, but can–from time to time–include friends of the opposite sex.

Home Nudity This is causal nudity to the next step. This is realizing whether alone, with family or friends, that this is your house and you can be free within the confines of your home or property. It usually means that it is more rare for you to be clothed at home than not. From the moment you hit the front door for the evening, until you walk out the next morning to work, you are naked and free. Friends know this and expect it when they stop by. Family members don’t object and may even join in. A lot more people fall into this layer than many may realize.

Social Nudity Believe it or not, this is NOT the final layer! This is the person who truly identifies as a nudist. They actively seek out social interaction in the buff. They meet with other nudists at clubs, home groups, nude beaches, etc. And they do it all for the express purpose of being nude together! But what makes them different from our next layer is that nudism isn’t a permanent lifestyle for them…yet.

Systematic Nudity Here is the person who has completely abandoned clothing. Dressing only when absolutely necessary, they live, eat, breathe nudity. They probably haven’t worn undergarments or a bra in years. The only clothes they do own are probably loose and baggy. They function in every day life without ever getting dressed!

Global Nudity There may be variations and sub layers to all that i have discussed, but the ultimate goal and final layer must truly be the acceptance and adoption of the nude body world wide. It may not be necessary for everyone to be nude, but certainly to have the stigma and legal penalties for the natural, naked body to be removed in all walks of life. They dream of a world where great works of art depicting the nude form are not scandalized or defaced because of public outcry. Where breastfeeding mothers are not shamed because of their breasts. Where a man sun bathing in his own back yard is not arrested because of nosey neighbors. Where children are not sexualized at an early age, but can remain naked in innocence until they are older. Where sex is no longer used as a marketing tool and then condemned as evil and perverse. Where the naked body CAN be sexually nude, but is not automatically assumed to be.