NUDIST LIFESTYLE

MAx Fabry is a regular contributor to a weekly column "ASK MAx" published in the SPRINGFIELD TIMES, Springfield, Oregon. The SPRINGFIELD TIMES is published weekly on Friday by S.J. Olson Publishing, Inc. This column is published on this blog by permission of the SPRINGFIELD TIMES. Visit their website at http://www.springfieldtimes.net.
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Dear MAx,

I am so upset! My mother told me that she spent the weekend at a nudist community! She not only told me, but she has also told other people we both know, and who knows who else she told. My mother is 65 years old! She is a retired teacher! What is she thinking?!

Crystal

Dear Crystal,

I cannot know what other people are thinking, but I can look at why people would want to go to a clothes optional community.

First, let’s make a distinction between a nudist and an exhibitionist. An exhibitionist is someone who would want to deliberately attract attention by taking off clothes. A nudist, or naturist, goes without clothing as a social practice; they “embrace the freedom to be without clothes”.

Public condemnation of nudity is probably rooted in the biblical story of Adam and Eve loosing their innocence by eating the forbidden apple. When the pair realized that their bodies were naked they felt, perhaps the first negative emotion, shame. They covered up and, thus, the start of the ever profitable global clothing industry was begun.

The practice of organized nudism started appearing in the US and Canada around the 1920’s, long after Europe and other parts of the world had begun recognizing it as a norm to frequent “nudist colonies” . The American Association for Nude Recreation (ANAR) was started in 1931 as a trusted source of information for nudists and about nudists. Nudists “colonies” are now known as nude resorts, or nude parks; “nude communities” is used to describe all the people that embrace the nudist lifestyle. These resorts and parks have become extremely popular.

A 2003 article in the Wall Street Journal reported that nude tourism was starting to take off in the US. They pointed to Central Florida’s Pasco County as the best place in the country to be nude. Pasco County boasted being home of six nudist resorts and estimated over 100,000 nudists visiting each year adding a significant amount to tourist revenue.

As I was researching this topic, I was having challenges understanding the statistics, so I called on Pat Brown, Past President of ANAR, and a resident of the Willamatans, the largest nudist resort in the Pacific Northwest. She confirmed that ANAR has approximately 50,000 PAID members, but there are several hundreds of thousands non-members served by the 500 clubs and businesses catering to nudists. There are various reasons people choose not to be official members of ANAR. But, within the paid membership, two-thirds of the members are couples, one-third individuals.

Pat also confirmed that there is a trend to the growth of the nudist lifestyle which is being fueled by—you got it!—aging babyboomers. She said that ANAR, as well as individual clubs are seeing younger members who are bringing their children and grandchildren on nakations. Because of the shear number of babyboomers, they will continue to influence trends around the world—including nudist recreation. Nudist housing developments, retirement communities, restaurants, and even Yoga centers are popping up across the US and Canada. Perhaps fueled by the continued buying power, remarkable health, and freedom-thinking of the boomers.

So, Crystal, it may be that your mother is part of the current babyboomer mentality that believe that the possibilities for life are endless. And, perhaps, those possibilities aren’t so much about embarrassing her daughter, but feeling free and young again. I would suggest having a discussion, in your awareness, with your mother about what she needs in this stage of her life, and, how you can support her.

Be well on your journey.

Have a question about addiction, recovery, or life transitions such as retirement, career change, grief and loss issues, empty nesting, etc, ‘Ask MAx’. Send your questions to Lifestyle Changes, PO Box 1962, Eugene, OR 97440; or, e-mail your questions to maxfabry@lifestylechangescounseling.com. Learn more about MAx Fabry and read her blog at www.lifestylechangescounseling.com.