Middle aged and older nudists!
I believe the younger generation will show us a way which affirms both a body and sex positivity. In the US, younger adults seems more open and accepting of their sexuality than their bodies. In gyms with more gays, younger men may have sexual play in the steam room, but don't want to expose their penises to men they won't have sex with. The recent body positivity trend also seemed more focused on overweight women than for example skinny fat young men. But as they get older and less self-conscious, their sex openness with trickle down to body openness. In that way, I believe that youth will not relate to the pontificating of many naturists that nudity is not sexual, because youth are more comfortable that everything is sexual - with or without clothes, it's all one.
I still consider myself a relatively 'new' nudist, and this phenomenon is something I have noticed from the very beginning. I have had a couple of main theories on this.
One, as others have mentioned, we grow less and less concerned about others' opinions as we get older. We worry less about fashion, fitting in, and other people's opinions. We have the wisdom to ignore the pressures of media and advertising. We aren't bothered (as much) about impressing other people; we just want to be comfortable, whatever that entails. I laugh now at some of the uncomfortable outfits I wore in my younger days, just so I could look sexy. Which isn't to say that a well-dressed person isn't attractive, but the clothes should fit well! And, of course, confidence goes a long way.
Certainly, I know in this crowd, that problem is solved by wearing nothing at all.
My other theory is that the nudist organizations aren't quite up to date with modern tech advancements.
Now, there are faults on both sides of this matter. I know it can be difficult for nudist organizations to find places to exist and advertise online, as many popular online places (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) don't allow images of nudity.
But there are options. This website, with its forums, message boards, and clunky solo chat room, is a format that was popular in the '90s. Today's youth use mobile-friendly sites and apps to connect with each other. I have friends who don't even own a desktop or laptop computer; their primary access to the Internet is via their mobile devices. Apps like Snapchat and Twitter do allow nudity, and I have found a thriving nudist community on the latter.
While AANR does have a presence on Twitter, I would love to see smaller organizations and venues take advantage of tech advancements to reach out to a younger generation. Not to be morbid, but none of us will live forever! The nudist community needs a younger population to pass the torch to.
From my experience on Twitter, today's youth are pushing forward progressive agenda like sex positivity and body positivity. Many of them believe all bodies should be celebrated, as we do. I feel the nudist community needs to do a better job at reaching out to them online, and show them that--despite what online advertising and media tells them--nudity isn't just reserved for porn.
I think we as nudist are getting older because we aren't being replaced by enough younger people. Most of them aren't so much into organizations, or clubs. If they get nude socially at all it is more of a spontaneous thing like a skinny dip then the clothes go back on again afterward. I imagine they think organized nudity is a fringe cult. Maybe it is but I have always enjoyed being naked and I find comfort around others that think likewise.
Responding to OP, there is a vast group of newer generation people taking part in clothing optional recreation. They are simply doing it in groups and venues that are not part of the territories staked out by the older version of nudists. They are disinterested, as a general demographic, in nudist resorts or cruises, and they do not subscribe to the dogma of existing organizations.
There is also the 800 pound gorilla in the room that they consider most middle aged male nudists to be creepy old men. #notallnudists __? Possibly, but that is the reputation of the older generation of nudists from the perspective of the newer generations.Any theories on why most nudists seem to be middle aged and older?
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