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Despite the
younger
generation's apparent lack of participation in
naturism, it can't be said that the interest isn't
there. The August 1994 Woodstock reunion, for
example, bears testimony to a genuine willingness
among the younger crowd to indulge in nude
recreation. Media reports over the last few years
indicate that students on college campuses across
the nation have an urge to bare all; but if
streaking and skinny-dipping have become part and
parcel of the college scene, why aren't the
practitioners taking the next step and joining
established naturist groups?
The complaint of younger naturists is, of course,
that when they do attend established social nude
gatherings they find few similarly-aged
participants. This can lead a younger person to
wonder: "Is this naturism thing just for older
people? Am I the only one my age who is interested
in naturism?" this measure of doubt can undermine
the enthusiasm that brings them to nude events.
The Missing Gen-Xers
By "younger
naturists," I refer to the 18-30 crowd,
otherwise known to the media as "Generation X." As
a twenty-something naturist, I have had the
feelings of doubt and discomfort described above.
This is no slight toward "older" naturists; on the
contrary, most established naturists go out of
their way to be accommodating to the younger set.
But often people in their twenties are not
accustomed to socializing with people old enough
to be their parents. To be a part of nude
recreation, one must feel a part of nude
recreation.
The number of people under 30 at regional naturist
gatherings is generally quite small. N gets
letters each year from disillusioned younger
naturists who have attended a gathering and felt
left out or out of place. but imagine what could
be gained if suddenly 50, 60, or 100
18-to-30-year-olds showed up for a gathering, and
had such a good time that naturist gatherings
became a "must" for any younger person interested
in nude recreation? Imagine these meetings being
infused with new life, stemming from new ideas and
people with the time, energy and youth to see them
through.
The Need for Promotion
It's difficult to know how to appeal to people
whose only idea of social nudism may be a
titillating stereotype of people "prancing" and
"cavorting" and having wild sex orgies around the
"nudist colony." What's more, if organized
naturism is kept secret, it will not be an option
for a younger person. To this end, advertising and
promotion of the ideals and benefits of naturism,
including a clear message that it is a nonsexual
thing, are essential.
It's probably too idealistic at this point to hope
for naturist information to be posted on
billboards or naturist commercials to be shown on
prime time TV. But the younger crowd needs to know
that they don't have to wait 25 years for an event
like Woodstock to get naked among friends. There
are ways of getting the word out without ruffling
too many feathers.
In dealing with a younger audience, the term nude
recreation may be more suitable than naturism. A
small point, but one of powerful significance.
Naturism, to the uninitiated, may imply (correctly
or incorrectly) an alternate lifestyle--one that
is, again, tied to that stereotype of the nudist
colony. Most Gen-Xers aren't looking for a change
in lifestyle; they just want to cut loose a bit
when they have some free time.
A Question of Image
Naturism needs an updated image to appeal to a
younger audience. Most readers have probably seen
the standard naturist promotional video, featuring
lots of families, children playing, and older
couples lounging on the beach. Which of these
aspects is going to appeal to a 21-year-old
college student, a 25-year-old grad student, or a
young engaged couple? Probably none.
So why not create a naturist promo video
specifically tailored to this age group? If people
see others their age enjoying themselves sans
clothing, they might not feel like they are alone
in their enjoyment of being nude. Just letting
young people know that this is a valid recreation
option may generate interest where there was none
before.
With the smattering of student naturist groups,
the clientele at some West Coast beaches
(especially the ones near colleges), the goings on
at Woodstock '94, and the strong European Gen-X
support, thee is more than enough material for a
full-length video targeting the 18-30 year old
naturist. So, naturist video producers, there's a
challenge for you. Break some new ground. How
about a promo video that actually contributes to
the growth of nude recreation?
But having a hip, cutting edge Gen-X naturist
video must be coupled with a strong, effective
marketing scheme. selling such a video through
naturist magazines and mail order catalogs or at a
naturist store may make a little money, but will
defeat the real purpose of the video--attracting
the 18-30-year-old people you'd like see become
involved in naturism. to start with, the video
could be offered to student naturist groups, who
will show it in venues where it's more likely to
reach the right audience.
But even before we get that far, first and
foremost the video has to be affordable. A video
that costs $59.95 isn't going to appeal to too
many younger naturists, who are more than likely
strapped for cash some if not most of the time.
Some universities sponsor environmental expos
during the school year. A booth or exhibit at such
a show might be the perfect way to introduce
naturism--at least achieving visibility and
credibility if nothing else. Simply presenting
naturism in a positive light would go a long way
toward not only dispelling erroneous rumors up
front. Other exhibits during the year could focus
on the importance of nude recreation to body
acceptance (during a health and fitness week, for
example), or the role of social nudity as a
freedom of expression right (during a civil rights
demonstration).
One Final Note
If there truly is a desire to increase the
involvement and membership of the 18-30 age group,
the national naturist and nudist organizations
must start by letting their members and affiliated
organizations know this is a national concern that
must be kept on the agenda. Sad as it may sound,
the very future of naturism depends on having a
solid base of young, energetic supporters to carry
the momentum of the older generation they will
eventually replace.
The ideas I've outlined here are not exhaustive;
there are many possibilities to explore, and if we
younger naturists put our heads together, we could
come up with quite a few. The foundation is
already being laid, but a real push needs to be
implemented, coordinated, and supported to make
this effort successful. |
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