Designated areas

[SheilaW]

You need to read it again, Jill . Sorry if I didn't make myself clear, but I wasn't responding to your comments or indeed to anyone's in a direct way - I was just voicing my own opinion on the subject. I feel very strongly about the current climate, but I also totally agree that everyone should be free to make their own decisions about how to lead their own lives. Indeed, that's why I feel so strongly! I hope you're hearing that, helsbelles.

A very common complaint made against naturists, and particularly naturist men, is that they are somehow actively trying to shock, and that they "exhibit themselves" to textiles for some sort of gratification (sexual gratification, presumably, in the minds of non-naturists), and that this is some sort of perversion that is going to cause mental harm to kids - and there's often even a fear expressed that kids are actually in danger of abuse from naturists. It's that attitude, one that's really quite recent, that sickens me. Naturism when it was in its early days was seen by most people to be all about "nature" and "natural" - as its name implies. Naturism wasn't everyone's cup of tea, and naturists were considered by many (most?) to be weirdos, but harmless weirdos. It was made clear that the movement was as much about health and fitness, being one with nature, living naturally etc as it was about nudity. And for many of us, that's the way it still is today. Unfortunately, that's far too boring for today's mass media, and even more so for social media. I can handle being teased as a weirdo - my brother teased me about being a "nudie" for 30 years before he suddenly discovered for himself what it was all about at the age of 60. But nowadays it's all about getting an instant knee-jerk reaction, an immediate and strong reaction, and we're a minority that's easy to scream about. "Weirdo naturist" has become a synonym for pervert in the eyes of many, as that's the message they're hearing. That's the only reason why I "jump from naturist to pedophiles" as you say Jill - a reflection of the attitudes I see in the current social climate.

I suppose I was reacting in part to Jill's call for "family only areas" though, when I said "What if [...] your kids are naturists too!!!?" "Family only" presupposes that naturism is something practised exclusively by adults, and never in a family setting. It certainly didn't use to be! And I really don't think it is in many countries today. The campsite in France I used to partially live on until 2012 was teeming with kids. There's nothing more natural in the world for a kid than to be naked in the sand and in the water, although I accept that they can be perfectly happy in costumes too. I guess you're really asking for an "area for parents who don't want their kids to see naked bodies". Well, don't those parents already have an enormous choice? Like, 99.9% of the world's beaches??? Even here on Fuerteventura, you don't see naturists on Corralejo's Town or Waikiki beaches, and I don't think you do in front of the dunes hotels (although I can't  be 100% sure as I rarely go there). Apparently, Caleta's beaches are only used by costumed sunbathers too.

[Snowdrop]

No signs.
Unless you are on beaches in the centre of town or surround by bars/hotels then you should expect to find people sunbathing without clothes.
What is more natural - some people, even in the world today, live daily without clothes.
As to children - as a parent - children will always be curious - whether it's about nudity, disability etc - it then comes down to their parents reaction/views on how their children then accept a situation or reacts to it.

[fizzy lemonade]

Seeing as I started the thread before we visited for the first time, my opinion after returning is that the current situation as we experienced it in September works perfectly fine

[sunpics]

Interesting topic I have seen only one person complaining about me being naked on the beach well beyond the sun bed limits near the Riu hotels I was walking towards the sea from the dunes and this uncouth English guy shouted at me for being nude on a public beach. He could only be English with all the hang ups. By the way I am English but I am enlightened to the great feeling and  freedom of being naked all the time on holiday.
He may have thought I was German and did not understand is rantings. 
It is his misfortune not being able to strip off and enjoy the feelings of freedom that being naked brings.
I would say keep everything as it is no signs or designated cloths only or nude beach areas.
It fine how it is for me.
Cheers Sunpics

[paully]

Bet you`d no problem spotting him being English... cos he would have been wearing socks with his sandals 

[sunpics]

Always amazes me why these people come on holiday in the first place and not expect to see people  naked on the beach in the sun. He  did have a jumper and jeans on .
Cheers Sunpics