Naked in America

There are several clothing optional movements in America. The most radical would be nudists. There are also naturists and finally there is the topless movement. In each one of these groups there are gradations in militancy and fervor. Some folks just want to get naked at home by themselves. As long as they remember to put their pants on before answering the door and to draw the shades before cooking breakfast in the nude, no one would ever know that they prefer to naked as they go about their daily activities. Then there are the naturist types. They believe in being naked with family and close friends.

Most people would not spend much time objecting to the presence of shirtless men. The time when the police are called out is when the women are wearing nothing at all up top. This differs from nudists in that the women who push this point of view are not trying to appear nude in public. Rather they are asserting that if men can appear topless in public then so should they. There are also groups who are mostly arguing that a woman should be able to breast feed her child any time, anywhere without embarrassment or covering up.

Naked politicians. Imagine your favorite politicians, naked. For some of you that is a horrendous idea. You don’t even want to see those frauds and charlatans clothed! But I digress. Nudist organizations such as the American Association for Nude Recreation have lobbied congress for such things as more areas wherein it is permissible to get naked in public. Nudists do have legitimate political aims.

Naked philosophy. Some nudists consider their nakedness to be a philosophical or political statement. They believe that public nudity represents a freedom from social norms and that going without clothes is normal, natural and healthy.