Feminism: chat
Should nudity in public places be acceptable?
Imnobody4 · 06/08/2021 11:35
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d7eabdb2-f611-11eb-a2a3-afea84050239?shareToken=7da2ecf803b93384d047b69f902b4ae5
Report about Sherwood Forest.
In recent weeks there has been growing concern about nudists and one report of a man hiding in the bushes and exposing himself to a lone female cyclist last month
The woman’s husband said online that he believed the incident was linked to nudists walking around the forest in groups of up to 12.
Mick Allen, Nottinghamshire county council’s communities manager, said: “Naturism in appropriate circumstances is legal, and we are not therefore in a position to ban naturists from Sherwood Forest.
Speaking as someone who walks alone a lot, I use Natural Parks and Woodlands on holidays and I certainly wouldn't be happy to encounter naked men wandering about singly or in groups. Most of the comments are jokey or saying there's nothing wrong with the human body.
Ok so if nudism is a new human right why not everywhere. Why shouldn't nudists have an absolute right to be naked wherever they choose, a Dad picking his child up from school, going to the supermarket, visiting a stately home?
I'm irritated that it's being treated in a jokey manner when we know the links between flashing and escalating sexual violence. I notice it's not groups of women wandering about.
The husband mention above has started a petition on Change uk.
FlibbertyGiblets · 06/08/2021 12:14
Where does that place the man who walks naked and keeps getting imprisoned?
Stephen Gough
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29800016.amp
SmokedDuck · 06/08/2021 13:59
I think it really depends on the setting, and how it's managed.
Not all public nudity is related to nudism either, there are places like saunas or beaches too where there are different customs. What's customary here in terms of bathing suits might be seen as too uncovered in another place. To a large degree it's about what's considered socially normal in a particular setting, and then if some groups want more freedom, they probably need to be in places or at times when others can avoid them.
Someone exposing themselves and hiding in bushes doesn't really count as public nudity anywhere as far as I know.
everythingcrossed · 06/08/2021 14:39
I thought one of the guiding principles of naturism was to make sure that everyone involved was on board with it. This sounds like a group of men - the report has not mentioned any naked women or children who have joined them - deciding they want to impose their values (at best), make other visitors uncomfortable (at worst) on those around them. I lean towards the latter explanation - it's a case of straightforward intimidation/bullying.
Imnobody4 · 06/08/2021 15:16
The point is this is happening outside the allocated area. I don't visit nudist beaches, saunas etc i.e. I respect others rights.
According to NCC and the RSPB they are under no obligation to respect my rights. This is just another example of male entitlement, if women don't like it then they can stay indoors.
ErrolTheDragon · 06/08/2021 16:22
Not all public nudity is related to nudism either, there are places like saunas or beaches
They're specific places, not people (usually men) being nude anywhere they want regardless of the effect on other people. Or being nude precisely in order to affect someone else (usually a woman).
The existence of saunas and nudist beaches makes it all the less acceptable for people who want to be nude to do it elsewhere.
somethinginoffensive · 07/08/2021 00:12
Nottinghamshire police completely not bothered by naked men wandering around woods near a school and large residential area.
www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/parents-concerns-after-two-naked-5569741
NiceGerbil · 07/08/2021 01:51
Well
I don't think it should be full stop illegal.
This situation groups of men? That sounds... A bit odd.
And I have a feeling that the naturist orgs etc would not like this.
They want it to be not seen as so weird and to do with sex etc. Not to be associated with large groups of naked men wandering around a tourist area!
Naturist/ nudist things are fine IMO.
This case-
'In recent weeks there has been growing concern about nudists and one report of a man hiding in the bushes and exposing himself to a lone female cyclist last month'
Wellll.
There are laws that can/ could be used for these men.
Up to police whether to pursue it.
RedToothBrush · 07/08/2021 08:56
No.
Consent is important.
If you do it within a setting where everyone is fine with it and has consented (well signed areas / private clubs) then ok.
If you force the sight of your willy in the face of innocent passers by who had no idea of what they were going to bump into. Absolutely not.
Stay in your lane. Understand consent matters.
This isn't hard. Anyone who tries to blur the line and make out its more complex is gaslighting you.
somethinginoffensive · 07/08/2021 09:11
Whenever we see this it's really important to report to the police, stating that distress has been caused.
Because otherwise, if we accept that the police won't do anything, and don't bother to report, then in 10 years time the narrative will be "we've been doing this for years without any issues".
itcouldhave · 07/08/2021 09:18
There’s a difference between genuine nudists and men who commit an offence by exposing themselves deliberately. That initial story seems to conflate the two.
I think it’s a bit weird but I don’t have a problem with nudism in principle. The problem you get though is that there will always be some people doing it for the wrong reasons.
SmokedDuck · 07/08/2021 12:13
@ErrolTheDragon
They're specific places, not people (usually men) being nude anywhere they want regardless of the effect on other people. Or being nude precisely in order to affect someone else (usually a woman).
The existence of saunas and nudist beaches makes it all the less acceptable for people who want to be nude to do it elsewhere.
I feel like I'm missing your point? Yes, they are specific places? The OP doesn't seem to be very specific about it, but it's already the case that public places vary in what is considered acceptable.
And I don't think anyone really considers flashers acceptable public nudity, though they might vary in how serious they think it is. But they aren't really similar to nudists.
gogohm · 07/08/2021 12:39
There's a difference between hiding in the bushes and surprising passers by and walking as part of a naturalist group! There's nothing wrong per se about naturism but to enable others to be prepared to see those exercising without clothes on it makes sense to limit locations and/or dates. Designated beaches already exist, avoid them if you aren't comfortable, they could do the same with outdoor areas, not that it bothers me much if I'm forewarned
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