Nudism - a class thing?
We've been looking at houses on the Fylde coast to be near my father in law who is now in care up there.
One consideration has to be the chance of opportunities for nakedness, so I enquired of a few locals on here only to discover that there were no beaches and nothing besides a naked swim at some pool somewhere.
I mentioned my disappointment to my wife, who replied that she wasn't surprised.
When I asked why, she drew some connection between what social class people belong to and their liking of naturism.
The higher 'up the ladder' she thinks, the less one is going to be offended by nakedness.
Lancashire, being typically and historically working class (no offence meant - this is just an observation on social habits, not a judgement of any sort) would see most people (she thinks) horrified at the sight of people with their bits out.
Of course, Lancashire has it's fair share of palatial houses and Rolls Royces knocking about, but wealth does not necessarily see a change in social attitudes. Because you get rich, doesn't mean you get more inclined to strip off in public.
Getting naked at home is never easy in an urban terraced house (I know from experience, where gardens are overlooked and neighbours chat over the fence) and I long for somewhere rural and secluded to practice the natural look. Maybe that is one reason why my wife's observation could actually be true. Those who had the means and inclination in decades past were the ones who travelled abroad where the climate was more forgiving and continentals less 'Victorian' in the appreciation of the human body.
Any thoughts?
I think its a fascinating notion, and I have to say that I have never spoken to anyone on here who was not apparently well educated - not that education necessarily goes with social standing either.
For myself, I was brought up working class, but socialised with middle classes from an early age as a cathedral chorister.
My wife is most definitely middle class.
It may be non-PC to discuss this sort of thing these days, but it would be fascinating to run a poll and to see how the results change and have changed over time.
I think it's a mixed up ball of all sorts of factors and influences. FWIW, I'm in the USA, so the cultural influences are probably different.
"Organized" nudism definitely skews toward the wealthier, more educated, and older. That's people who join organizations, visit resorts, and the like. Money allows them to afford to do these things. And I think education helps them realize the value of being organized for legal and other reasons. Being older gives them more time, fewer child care responsibilities, and they finally give up the notion that they must look "hot" to be naked.
Historically - the 1800s - the wealthy are the ones who could afford swimming costumes and travel to beach resorts with their fancy bathing machines. The poorer folks swam naked in local ponds & rivers. Boys & men especially swam nude quite freely, while girls & women most often remained chastely clothed.
Then there is the religious influence. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Christian denominations (Catholic & Protestant) view nudity as primarily sexual, and therefore something to keep private. This isn't really in the Bible, but the Bible does have a lot to say about avoiding sexual sin, and if nudity = sex in your culture then public nudity is something to be avoided. Poorer people tend to be more religious, so then poorer people would tend to be against "nudism" - although they may still skinny-dip.
In the UK until Queen Victoria came to the thrown nudity was normal on the beaches, and she decided that it shouldn't be allowed as any flesh showing other than hands and faces/hair was a sin and these all over costumes came out.
Since religious teaching (mans reasoning, non biblical) has been responsible for much of the anti nude influence. And since the lower income levels tend to be more religious. (Those with more wealth tend to trust their money instead of God) That could account for greater numbers of wealthier people involved. Besides the cost of resort attendance.
I don't fit the wealthy category, and I'm highly religiously oriented, but I like to have a better foundation for my belief and practice than man's reasoning. Since the bible promotes the nude gardening life as the ideal for man in the beginning, that's my philosophy as well. But I'm also very much into learning, researching, everything about life is interesting and there is no end to what can be learned and done. People think of school as a place to learn and when it's finished they are done learning and go out to work and play. I found school to be just the starting point, learn how to get knowledge in school and then spend the rest of life getting it. keep an open mind ready to consider and analyze anything. And that's why I'm into naturism. It's healthy, it feels good, the Bible promotes it at least by inference. It's only the erroneous link between sinful lust and nakedness that tricks most Christians into condemning nakedness. My brother shuns nakedness, won't look at it, won't even wear the shorter shorts himself. I don't push it other than my tendency to wear short shorts, 70's style gym shorts since that's what was common wear when I was growin up. And I make my own with light mesh fabric. I'll do my naked work time out of sight. And maybe find a reason to visit nude resort sometime.
I dont think its that people would be more open to the idea if youre rich. I want to work with celebrities in my photography, and if given the chance I would ask if they would model nude in some of my work. However, Im certain that because of their status among the people, they would likely decline.
However, you had a good point. If youre surrounded by neighbors, its going to be hard to practice nudism unless they are also nudists themselves. You dont want to have a neighbor say she wouldnt mind seeing your buttocks shake around, and then she turns completely around trying to get you arrested. Living out in the country would make it easier, especially if you had plenty of privacy.
I have always wanted to have a nice cabin in the woods, and I still do. There would be plenty of privacy and lots of scenic backgrounds for my photography.
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