The Background of the Naturalist Idea

Over thousands of years, man has gone through a major revolution. Centuries ago, life was extremely different and clothes were not a part of day to day life. In fact, according to scientific studying, it shows that man first started wearing clothing about seventy two thousand years ago. This research was based on a study of body lice which came into existence around the time when man started wearing clothes. So for the two hundred thousand years that man has been in his present state he has enjoyed half his life without clothes.




A nudist is a person who does not wear clothes for naturists. Back in those days, most humans lived in warm climates and there is some indications that they were much hairy than they are today. It was only when they began migrating to colder climates that clothes were first worn and even then it was not modesty, but warmth that was the motivation. As we became civilized, the attitude about nudism was much different in the time of recorded history.


In ancient Greece, for example, the habit of nudity was so common that even our word, gymnasium, comes from the Greek word, gymnos, which means nude. Sports and nudity connected because nudity in athletic events was common and accepted in the athletics. Nudism as a cultural issue exists in only a few scattered and primitive tribes in the Amazon basin or remote Pacific Islands and these few remaining hold outs are under relentless pressure to get dressed.

Today, in what are called nudist colonies, or nudist resorts, people are selectively removing most of all of their clothing. This has led to some myths about nudity, or naturalism, as it is sometime called. One such myth is that nudity is immoral. The reason is that it is seen as sexual in nature. It may be thought of as erotic or pornographic, but still sexual. In fact, nudist do not see themselves as either voyeurs- people who have a prurient interest in seeing naked bodies, or exhibitionists- people who have a prurient interest in being seen naked.


While others view nakedness as being evil and something to be frown upon, the nudist seems nakedness as a form of purity. How can nakedness be evil when man was born naked? A nudist views his beliefs as not only noble but also much healthier and cheaper in the long run. Many are concerned that being naked and exposed to the sun is a health risk but they would rather find a way around this than give up their belief. You can be sure that there are many recreational centers as well as hotels that support them.


New things are always view with an air of suspicion, especially when those new things have anything to do with nakedness. Nudism is a concept or a lifestyle yet to be accepted by the general public who cannot understand why anyone would want to be naked. However, it is clear that this new movement is here to stay and people need to take time to figure it out and accept it as part of life.