The Laughing Wolf

Nude, Naked, Nekkid, and Children Yet Again

In checking my referrer logs and links of late, I found that there was a sudden surge of interest in this post on nudity and individual liberty. Intrigued, I wondered what was up and began to do some checking. It seems that a new assault on nudism/naturalism is underway, with the pious wringing their hands and saying “It’s for the children!” Bull. It is for the politicians, and a cheap appearance of action at the expense of a “marginal” group and the concept of individual liberty as put forth in the Constitution. The basic underlying argument being used says a hell of a lot more about those making it than about the nudists/naturists.

For some basic information and citations, I will refer you to the Summer 2004 issue of N: The Magazine of Naturist Living. Start on page 42 and read. More than that, read and think, putting aside the prurient and pre-conceptions. The articles do make some good points, ones that need full consideration. I would like to bring forth some other food for thought, to add to the debate.

First, there is a difference between being nude, naked, and nekkid. Nudity is simply being without clothes, the state in which we enter the world. It is the state of grace described as being present in the Garden of Eden, and one to which many have aspired to return. It is an innocence for some, and an acceptance our bodies and ourselves to others.

Naked is the state to which Adam and Eve are described as going. It is a feeling of shame and loathing at their bodies, our bodies, as somehow being wrong. It is the precursor of sin and bad thoughts.

Nekkid, as the comic once said, means that you are naked and up to no good. To most, it is sex, it is sin, it is wrong.

What does it say about someone that they see both nudity and nakedness as being wrong? That they can’t imagine that anyone can be nude without the “evil” of being nekkid? Is their self-control so weak that the sight of a bare ankle, much less a bare buttock, will send them into a sexual frenzy from which not even the dog is safe? To listen to some politicians and pundits, that is indeed the case, and for that I pity them.

What does it say about those same politicians and pundits that they are willing to marginalize and demonize a portion of the population for personal gain? That is exactly what they are doing: pandering to one group by attacking another. History is replete with examples of this, ranging from banishments on one end to death camps on the other -- and the distance between them is not that great. But, it is an easy vote that can be wrapped in the tattered banner of saving the children, so that little or no thought will be given to it by the vast majority. It is an appeal to a mass audience intent on the prurient, eager to see naked children and imagine all that goes on. For surely, where there is flesh there is sex.

I hate to burst your bubble, but let’s take a good look at the real situation. While there are some nude resorts that feature wild swinging and sex, they usually don’t admit children and tend to have one thing in common: they are not members of the American Association for Nude Recreation or The Naturist Society. The quickest way to get your bare butt kicked and tossed out into the nearest bramble patch is to go to a place affiliated with one of these organizations and try to make with the swinging. If you want to get hurt, show an improper interest in the kids, and be warned that it may be the kids that hurt you the worst.

Behavior at affiliated locations is subject to strong rules, including the fact that in most if not all, any sexual activity of any type can and will get you bounced. Public displays of affection are limited, and strangers will be monitored. How do I know this? Simple, I have gone to some of them and to some events by these groups. I have had the rules explained to me and I have cheerfully submitted to the vetting and monitoring process.

Why did I do it? There are several reasons. Some are tied to body image problems, problems exacerbated by the paedophile who pawed me. Intellectual curiosity also played a part, as I wondered what it was like. I took the challenge issued by Mary Stewart in The Crystal Cave to heart when I was young, and have availed myself of as many opportunities to learn as I could.

What did I find? An interesting and diverse mix of folks, with most of them being quite nice. There were a few characters, but I was struck by the lack of certain types as well. There were very few “bad” feeling people there, and I found out that they don’t tend to last. Anyone who shows an inappropriate interest in children quickly finds the gate – with their clothes if they are lucky.

One thing that struck me about most of the people, but especially the children, was that they were comfortable with themselves. They were not ashamed of themselves or their bodies. Yes, there was some of the usual “I need to loose weight” stuff, but little or no unhealthy obsession. One nice thing appeared to be that older kids seemed to help those entering awkward phases and needed some reassurance. I must admit, I do wonder what my life would have been like had I had a better self image, and some positive peer reinforcement, both before and after the predator.

The children I met were friendly, ran the typical ranges of interests and behaviors, and seemed to be better than average at spotting problem adults. Indeed, I have heard of studies that suggest they are indeed better at such, and at avoiding many of those that prey on non-nudist/naturist children. In short, I saw no harm done and lots of good reinforcement ranging from behavior to health. Hardly an imminent threat to the wellbeing of American youth. Then again, demagogues rarely let mere fact stand in the way.

For those of you that my experience does not convince, I will ask you to consider the following. What is liberty and justice for all? What price individual liberty? What price family?

We are proud to say at the close of the Pledge “With Liberty and Justice For All.” Yet, our government increasingly seems to honor this only in the breech. All manner of things are now considered unacceptable, particularly where new subjects – excuse me, children – are involved.

This raises the question of individual liberty. What are the limits of such? Do we own our own bodies, or are they the property of the State? Laws now passed protect your body from yourself, from efforts to limit or eliminate tattoos and piercings from new laws being introduced to outlaw your being nude or naked – much less nekkid – in your own home. Think that is an exaggeration? Then check the legislative calendars in the states and in Congress. Take a hard look at all the laws designed to protect you from yourself, whether you want that protection or not. You have the right to make choices in your life, provided that they are ones that those who know better than you do say are the right choices. Make a choice that others say is not optimal, and see what happens.

What price family? The family is the unit cherished in the abstract by politicians, but abhorred in practice. The family is what your betters tell you it is. It is mom and pop, apple pie, public school, and… Yet, the family is the target of perhaps more laws than about any other facet of our life. Take a look at the legal codes Federal and State that apply to families, particularly to the right of the Government to seize children for their own good. Take a look at how little it takes in many cases, and how easy it is to apply those broad-brush laws. Go do a quick search through the blogs and look at the volume of horror stories there are, stories rarely covered by the Old Media. Take a look, and be afraid.

So, let me ask. Which do you prefer: a country where you are free to do as you feel best, or one where your betters tell you what you may do – with permission? How do you feel about politicians and pundits who look at a nude child and see a sex object, versus caring parents and other adults who look at them and see a person? What does it really say about the politicians and pundits who look at a nude child and see a sex object? What does it say about them that they are willing to demonize a group, and set aside some of the fundamental tenets of the Republic and the oaths they swore simply for the gain of personal fame and fortune?

In my book, it says nothing good. Facts seem to suggest that nudist/naturist children are not harmed by the experience, and even appear to come out ahead on several levels. Even if not, what this comes down to is a choice between liberty and justice for all or sliding further down the path of exchanging Citizenship for being a subject. Is not the greater harm here trading away their rights and their freedoms for selfish gain today? The children, our children, deserve better than that.