Why are Americans so uncomfortable with the existence of nude beaches?

Question

Why can't there be more nude beaches in this country? Beaches could be divided into regular and nude with a barrier between the two.

Doesn't it seem silly to try and get good color and end up looking like a zebra?

First, putting a bathing suit over an overweight person doesn't make any difference. Also,do you think only beautiful people have the right to show themselves? Should all the average looking people put a bag over their faces to make you happy?

Second, nudity is not sexuality. If a nude body is so sexual, why do we spend so much money on lingerie?Maybe our bodies aren't that exciting.

Third, how does nudity equal immorality?

Answer 1

Many of us, especially younger people, are more comfortable with casual nudity than our parents ever were, and so we're Ok with the concept of non-sexual nudity. I'm 21 and absolutely love going to the nude beach. We have a great one here on Long Island (NY) and I honestly haven't worn a bathing suit for the past four years. My friends (guys and girls) are cool with my nudity, some even have joined in at the beach, and when I swim in their pools they know that I'm going to be naked, which is fine with them.

Unfortunately, many in our culture still equate all forms of nudity with sexuality, so for them (in their way of thinking), a nude beach is nothing more than an outdoor sex orgy! Those of us who spend time at the nude beaches know that this isn't the case, but we need to remember that most of the people here have never been anywhere near a nude beach, so they have no firsthand information to counter their misperceptions. That's a shame, but it does seem like things are changing in our country. Slowly, but changing nevertheless.

For the most part, at least among my friends and the people who go to the nude beach here, once a person has spent a day at the nude beach they never want to go back to wearing anything at the beach again.

Nudity is always sensual, but not always sexual, and until more people realize and accept this distinction, they will always see simple, casual nudity in the wrong light.

It's up to people like us to help change that perception whenever and wherever possible.

Answer 2

You know, I have always felt the same way, and wondered the same thing. As an American, I have always been curious about the cultural differences between Europe and the states. I suspect American puritan tendencies about nudity go beyond disapproval of public nude beaches. Even in art, many Americans have problems with nudity.
Ay ay ay, as you can tell from some of the respondents, Americans generally tend to link mere nudity with overt sexuality. Quite frankly, it's stifling..... Having said all of this, I have actually had experiences in which I dared to be nude at public beaches in Galveston - people saw me and didn't care a bit. And so, there are pockets of tolerance.

Answer 3

It's so good to liberates their mind and thinks beyond societal constraints. You....are a genius ;)

13 years ago I asked myself some similar questions and decided to do some personal research by going to a local nude beach.....I felt so free that I've been going ever since.

I think the U.S. is probably not ready to share portions of their beaches with nudists. The puritains still exist and they have some political influence. HOWEVER.....nearly every state has a nudist resort or a nude beach, so if you want it, you can find it.

It's also good to see the responses so far....it's nice to know that people want to be more European regarding the option for nudity.

Answer 4

I think Smeather just showed you why we don't have nude beaches. Because most adults in this country have been raised with a very un-enlightened Puritan ethic, and they see nudity as "sinful." Most Americans are very prudish when it comes to their bodies and nudity. That's one reason so many competitve athletic sports are so popular here; it's the only way Americans feel they can celebrate their bodies (and by extension, their sexuality) without seeming like a sex-crazed pervert, which most of them are anyway, otherwise they wouldn't be so hung up about it.
In reality, most Americans are truly sick when it comes to human sexuality, due to the very prudishness they love to espouse.

Answer 5

I think I saw a video of Brad Gerlach surfing nude in France, hillarious. Anyways, I have surfed many places nude all over Hawaii due to bets I never should have placed. Having said that, I didn't mind it at all but was scared to attempt a trick. My pubes got all tangled in the wax and wasn't fun to untangle. Just get better board shorts and you will be fine!

Answer 6

Its just a part of our culture i guess. in any other country you can pretty much expect to have people walking around nude on the beaches but here its like anything natural is a sin.

Answer 7

Because a great number of people in this country believe deeply (and incorrectly) that the human body is evil and shameful. And because they think that nudity somehow equals sexuality. Crazy...

Answer 8

Puritanism and over-sexed culture rolled into one. Not a good mix.

A "moderate", naturalistic mentality is a prerequisite for nude beaches. Unfortunately, that is lacking in this country.

Answer 9

Americans don't like having bodies. They are ashamed of anything that might suggest that they are organisms. They want to believe that they are pure spiritual beings, untrammelled by the burden of fleshly lusts.

That's also the reason why pornography is so popular in the US

Answer 10

It's all about the culture. In Europe, it's no big deal if a girl is topless. But in the US.....not so. A case displaying this disparity would be the immense popularity of "Girls Gone Wild," (which I might add is ridiculously stupid).