Nudity and sexuality
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Historically, nudity has existed in contexts ranging from non-sexual social nudity, to sensual nudity, to sexualized nudity.
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[edit] Social nudity and sexuality
Many who have not practiced social nudity believe that nudity in a social setting is sexually stimulating and arousing, whether they think that's good or bad. Some naturists and nudists will counter-claim that there is more sexual tension in the scantily clad environment of a pool or a beach than at a nude site. The latter also argue that so much nudity quickly causes it to become routine, so that simple nudity by itself is insufficient to have much sexual effect. Nudist clubs often argue that the vast majority of men do not become sexually aroused in a nude social setting, and many view nudity as non-sexual.
Nevertheless, depending on various factors, when two or more people are together, and one or more are nude, this may by someone present or an outsider be associated with sexual activities, such as an invitation, or an indication that they might have taken place.
[edit] Children, social nudity, sexual awareness and maturity
See also: Children and nudity and Child sexuality.
Many nudists and naturists say that social nudity helps their children to mature in their sexual attitudes, to be able to see nudity and sexuality in a more realistic light, and thus to be able to relate to others with fewer sexual "hang-ups". The claim is that as a child grows up in the textile world, curiosity about other people's bodies merges with developing sexuality and leads to distorted ideas about sex, as well as mingled fascination and shame about the body. It is possible that this phase in many people's upbringing leads to an interest in pornography and voyeurism in adolescence, continuing into adulthood for some people.[citation needed]
Recently, to avoid legal problems, some resorts and clubs in the USA forbid bringing minors from other families without written permission in advance. A few even exclude children of divorced parents without the written consent of the other ex-spouse (unless they can prove full custody). That does not apply to public beaches.
[edit] Voluntary and involuntary erections
The possibility of an erection is a concern often cited by males who are apprehensive of social nudity, but practitioneers do not consider that fear to be warranted. They note that an erection is very rare in social nudity, affecting around 1% of the adult male population. Men may feel more self-conscious at first, and therefore less likely to be aroused. Then, after being accustomed to social nudity, they would come to view it as natural and non-sexual.
[edit] Responding to erections
Most agree, erections are natural, and as all natural events should not be made into an issue. However, some disagree, and want to continue the objectification and criminilization of male body parts. This begins, some say, with circumcision and non-circumcision, where either way is considered "bad" by a segment of society.
Wheras women are allowed to flaunt erect nipples, men are, some say, not allowed to do the same with erection. Should an erection occur, one can just ignore it until it subsides, simply cover up, switch over onto their side or stomach, jump into the pool, take a shower, etc. Flaunting an erection is considered extremely bad manners in most nude groups. Many consider it lewd. Others may not mind personally, but don't want to let such behaviour scare off new members.
Many practioneers of social nudity do not want men to openly present their erection (whether voluntary or spontaneous). However, some believe it should be included as a part of "body acceptance" — a key philosophy of nudists. This has been the subject of much of a mass debate in nudist/naturist Internet forums. For some activities (e.g. water skiing or dancing), hiding an erection might be difficult. In such cases, some forms of etiquette suggest that it be ignored by others.
Public nude beaches tend to be less strict on the issue of erections than private resorts. However, flaunting of an erection is still considered to be sexually motivated behavior and is discouraged.
Although erections cannot be controlled people still find offense if seen in public, even though the erection of a woman's nipples is seen as acceptable.
[edit] Sexual stimulation
Sexual stimulation, whether direct or indirect, is not acceptable. Masturbation in public or in view of others is usually forbidden. Touching or massaging of another's genitals could cause sexual stimulation, and is also similarly restricted. It is usually acceptable to apply suntan lotion to another's body, including a person's back and buttocks, as long as the intent or effect is not noticeable sexual stimulation.
[edit] Overt consensual sexual activity
Social nudity organizations widely maintain and enforce a policy prohibiting sex in view of others, and many non-sexualized social nudity groups describe themselves as family-oriented.
Organized sexual activity does occur at some private establishments (see Sex club), but the main naturist and nudist organizations tend to distance themselves from them. Usually the established, registered clubs have strict codes against freer sexuality, which is not popular enough to hold sway in very many places.
[edit] Sexual contexts
In softcore pornography, which was originally presented mainly in the form of "straight men's magazines", it was barely acceptable to show a glimpse of nipple in the 1950s. By the 1970s, in such mainstream magazines as Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, and Playgirl no region of the body was considered off limits. Meanwhile, a growing business of hardcore pornography has developed, including photo magazines and motion pictures, in which total nudity (and any variety of sexual activity) is commonplace.
Originally, nude dancing was mainly presented in the form of the "strip-tease". This was generally a stage show in which the dancer progressively removed his or her clothing while dancing to music. Prominent early- to mid-twentieth century "strip-tease artists" such as Gypsy Rose Lee rarely included total nudity as part of their sometimes quite elaborate acts. Now most "exotic" dancers perform topless (independent of gender, of course), perhaps wearing a thong bottom. In the 1970s, on an official level, men entered the strip club field, performing partially-unclothed dances primarily at clubs (the Chippendales being the most common example). Both genders had been unofficially dancing at clubs for many years (at least since the 1950s), and today at clubs catering to gay, straight, and everything in-between clientele.
[edit] See also
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