To feel sorry for the Naked Rambler.

[BlossomTang]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-33063397 in jail again for the same thing - it must be obvious to the authorities that there is a MH issue, but seems there is nothing they can/want to do. It's not like he is Russell Brand and does it for the attention!

On his first TV programme where he walked the length of Britain (with his then GF) naked he seemed fairly sane but the GF realised getting chased by the public or arrested was not worth the cause - but he cannot see this. Subsequent programmes did suggest MH issues - does he just yo-yo in and out of jail for the rest of his life?

That's the one I didn't dream it.
I wonder if it's still around?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/2175613-AIBU-to-ask-DH-to-wear-underpants

That's the one. Thank you!
Just remembered, he used to wear a t-shirt but no underpants - like a giant toddler.

I don't remember the thread, but if DH wanted to sit on our cream fabric sofa starkers I'd be annoyed. Mainly in case the neighbours saw (I trust he's mastered the art of wiping his own arse properly). If DH wanted to sit starkers on our cream sofa, whilst draping himself over Mil, it would be divorce time.

But maybe I just have ridiculously high standards of behaviour

I remember too- I had a different username then.
I believe in nudist colonies it is practice to carry a small towel around to sit on, cracks and bollocks can be damp tropical places.

I would much rather my DS saw the naked rambler every day than the ads he already sees that will probably make him think all adult males have a six pack and walk around just in their undies.

The fact this conversation is even a thing just highlights how ridiculous our societal norms are.

I picked up a magazine the other day where a load of female slebs were on red carpets wearing dresses that were transparent, knowing full well they'd be looked at, by loads of people with no lower age limit.

The guy likes to ramble, yes he wears socks and boots because otherwise his feet would hurt. If his family were hurt by that then that's regrettable but I imagine that was more because they kept putting him in prison for something so utterly stupid. My mental health makes me do ridiculous things, but none of them are illegal so I'm free to carry on doing them, whether right or wrong.

My teenage DD would feel alarmed if she saw the naked rambler, as would my 81 year old mother.

Does that mean nothing?

My teenage DD would feel alarmed if she saw the naked rambler, as would my 81 year old mother.

I wonder how they feel then about the naked bike rides taking place in many places this weekend?

www.facebook.com/pages/WNBR-London/182853265124724

Sally she would be fine.

It is all about context.

That's reassuring :)
This guy is clearly in the wrong, but some people here seem to think that any sort of nudity is alarming, as if they have some sort of phobia about bodies.

I don't think so. I think that most people think there is a time and a place for nudity and walking around the streets of Great Britain isn't either!

I expect that most people would say there is a time and a place for spiders, and walking around their bath isn't. But that is equally harmless as someone without clothes.

What have spiders got to do with nudity ?

You cannot see the parallel?
They are both things that some people find alarming, but are actually quite harmless.
If you have been brought up to be afraid of either, you will treat it that way and will (sadly) pass on the same unnecessary fear to your children.

sally I disagree.

A grown man is capable of great harm- unlike UK spiders. It is nothing to do with how we are brought up. OH and I are very relaxed about nudity in the home.
However our culture dictates that walking around with an exposed penis is not acceptable, and can cause alarm.

No I can't see the parallel. Spiders have no idea that people find them upsetting as they are spiders! This guy knows what he is doing.

Exactly dexter.
This guy wears clothes in prison, and when camping alone in the woods. He only strips off when around other people.
THe impact he makes is important to him.

Some on this thread seem to assume that because we don't agree with the naked ramblers actions that we are somehow prudish or laced up too tight.
Not the case at all. As a family we are very relaxed about nudity- I have been to nudist beaches and been happy to strip off.

It is to do however with context and norms.

Many, in fact, quite possibly most, people in jail, have MH issues ir psychological disorders. We have legs rules for absolving people of normal criminal responsibility on MH grounds and they are applied sparingly, for obvious reasons. If you think we only jail people for committing crimes when they have perfect NH, you would presumably excuse those who burgle, commit violence and so on too? Or just draw the line at petty crime and only punish those with good MH?

The (partially) naked rambler is yet another attention seeker. We actually have a role as a society to guide people who are confused by normal social boundaries. Ignoring such behaviour isn't actually that good for society as a whole, or for more vulnerable people.

I say this as a person who will quite happily go to a nudist, mixed sex health spa. Where everyone follows very social rules designed not to offend the people sharing your public space.

As I've said right from the start of this thread, the guy is wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Of course he shouldn't be wandering alone where he could almost literally bump into an unsuspecting person.
But as someone else said above, it's all about context. What I disagree with is the principle that the human body is somehow shameful or dirty or disgusting, and that children should be brought up to be horrified at the sight of genitals.

Fortunately the law has it exactly right: you can be naked outside (as I usually am in my garden or on any public beach). The sight of the body is entirely harmless. It is only considered offensive if the intention is to offend.
And the law has rightly decided that this guy wants to offend.

Well said sally