Conference moira::naturism

    Gee...
    
    Since 25% of the world's population is Chinese, I guess I can't
    consider myself as a member of the ethnic minority, right? :-)

RE: .0

>>	How many persons of ethnic minority do you know who enjoy Naturism?

Well, my heritage includes American Indian, so I guess I qualify.  A friend
who happens to work for DEC also, is black, he enjoys nudity.

>>	How many persons whose income in near or below the poverty level
>>	do you know who enjoy Naturism?

The following is based on what we've seen at Valley View...there are 
definitely yuppies, but there are also "old hippies" that also participate,
some which have low incomes due to their choice of vocation.  It varies
greatly.

Unfortunately, it appears if you want to participate with other naturists
in a resort or club setting, you must pay a fee to join.  And if your income
is near or below poverty level, being a member depends on what your values
are regarding membership fees.  Valley View is $100 a year for one person, or 
if a couple, $150.  AND there is a daily/nightly use fee for everyone.  Of 
course, being a member the fees are less.

>>	Does anyone know the male to female ratio among persons who enjoy
>>	Naturism?

Usually it is pretty even, sometimes more males (not a large precentage tho)
are found at Valley View.  World-wide, I have no idea! ;-)

>>	Does anyone know the present percentage of Naturists to the general
>>      population?  Is there much fluxuation historically in this percentage?

That would be interesting to know!  Neil, did you or someone else mention this 
in another note?  I remember someone mentioning this, but can't remember where 
it was...

Judy

    The economic level of participants is hard to judge when looking
    at them "in the skin" so to speak.  With the usual major exceptions,
    they all look alike.
    
    If you can find a free place to park, Moonestone Beach is open to
    the public free.  You can walk or bike in without charge.
    
    

>>>    < Note 110.3 by HPSTEK::SHERMAN >
>>>                -< Economic Levels?  Can't see the difference! >-
>>>
>>>    The economic level of participants is hard to judge when looking
>>>    at them "in the skin" so to speak.  With the usual major exceptions,
>>>    they all look alike.

    	...which is one of the features of nudism. How much someone
    paid for their designer label swimsuits is not important.  It is
    much easier to judge nude people by what they are than what they
    have (on).

Are there any stats on how many children of Naturists follow in their
parents (bare)foot steps when they grow up?
                                                     
Any stats on the ratio of married Naturists to single Naturists?

Any stats on the ratio of married Naturists with a non-participating
spouse?

    There are no stats. on children growing up naturists.  But after
    spending a year talking to long time nudists and adult leaders of nudist
    youth groups, it seems that when children hit puberty they become
    clothing conscious and start wanting to spend more time with their
    peer group (usualy not naturist).  At this point they stop being
    active.  Wether they will ever come back or not seems to depend
    on how driven they are in later life to be with out clothes whenever
    possable.  For most however  they can take it or leave it and they
    won't go out of their way for it.
    
                                 Paul
      

I was going to ask a similar question...

How many of you have families (ie. with kids) that participate
in Naturism?  I know CwS has many photos of families enjoying
the great outdoors nude, but in real life I see a heck more
adults that children.

Just wondering.

Judy

P.S.  I know I've mentioned this before, but we used to skinny
dip in rivers and visit Valley View with my father-in-law.  My 
mother-in-law does not indulge. :-(

    re: last couple
    
         My feeling is that it depends on how the child in that
    environment feels emotionally.  If the child isn't of the belief
    that it is unnatural in some way (and even a parent of a naturist
    could unintentionally lend support to that attitude) and
    has a healthy view of his/her own body, they will probably
    "return" to running around naked at some later point.  In 
    straight society there is a good deal of groping of bodies
    (probably more so by boys than girls, but I can't be too sure)
    and if the body is unclothed, sexual ramifications are bound
    to ensue...so a good way to avoid that would be to clothe
    oneself.  At a later age, when there can be a greater sense
    of control and safety, the walls of clothing can come back
    down a bit more easily.  As was pointed out, peer pressure
    has much to do with it.  I have observed, however, some 
    children (now in their late twenties) who grew up in a nude
    and even "swinging" environment who have not exhibited either
    a bashfulness in being naked nor a desire to have sex with anything
    that is capable of that.  One reason could be that no pressure was
    ever put on them to do anything along these lines whatsoever and
    also they received an abundance of love and respect.  Whether this
    would hold up in all families is not something I have knowledge
    about.
    
    Frederick
    

    I've started topic 114 for discussions children and nudity in
    general.
    
    	-Neil

Since we were discussing ethnic minorities under this topic I thought this 
might be the appropriate note to introduce everyone to a new conference:

			FIRST0::NATIVE_AMERICANS

The intended discussions in the Native Americans conference will include
travel, geography, language, customs, traditions, sports, music, folklore,
politics, history, famous people, food, etc. involving the Native American
community within DEC.  If interested in learning more, press KP7 to add 
this conference.

Judy Kilgore (Cherokee Indian)
Co-moderator of NATIVE_AMERICANS & NATURISM

It is now located on the GENRAL cluster at CXO in Colorado as:

		GENRAL::NATIVE_AMERICANS

This should be the last move....hopefully!  AND we are up and running 
at the new location.

How to change the conference entry, at your note> type:

	MODIFY ENTRY NATIVE_AMERICANS/FILE=GENRAL::NATIVE_AMERICANS

Judy 
Moderator