Sexual Relationships 
Sexual Health 
Nudism is not sexual on its own, but its practitioners are human beings who are by nature sexual. Nudism is also family friendly, allowing people of all ages. This creates a problem. Where do we draw the line on what is and isn't allowed in nude recreation? For decades, that line has been drawn at visible signs of arousal, mainly erections.
#1 Barrier to Men Enjoying Nude Recreation
One of the largest concerns for men who are considering going to a nude beach or a nudist resort is whether or not they might get an erection. A lot of these spaces are family friendly meaning people of all ages are present. The most common answer to this is that erections are rare, but for first time nudists this can be of little comfort. The second answer to this is to carry a small towel to cover up with. I think you can see why this offers little comfort as well.
How Common Are Erections?
Most male nudists are too nervous their first few times to actually become aroused. After the first few times, nudity is more normalized and less sexual, therefore no arousal occurs. While sometimes an errant erection may make an unexpected appearance, and most groups offer men a bit of forgiveness for them. In one resort's frequently asked questions section of their website they state the following:
This problem occurs far less frequently than you might think. Nude recreation is not a sexual situation for participants. If you get an erection at a nude beach or other social nude setting, naturist's generally yield a bit of elbow room to avoid making you feel uncomfortable; you should use your judgment to avoid making them feel uncomfortable. If necessary, take a swim or roll over for a short while or temporarily cover up with your towel. In any case, just use common sense and be considerate.
Does Nudism Have to be Non-Sexual?
Some nudists complain that this blanket ban on arousal goes against the idea of nudism because it forces them to view a natural bodily function as taboo and even shameful. Even without arousal, some men become erect as a mater of reflex several times a day. It creates a weird dichotomy where they are in a place where the human body is radically freed in some aspects, but still repressed in others. The author of Naked: A Cultural History of American Nudism, Brian Hoffman thinks its odd that nudist culture attempts to erase any sign of eroticism. Even if nudism breaks the direct association of nudity and arousal, it doesn't mean that people won't still get aroused at times.
Nudism's Roots to Blame?
As nudism was being established in the United States, one of their arguments for becoming legal was that it wasn't sexual. This lead to bans on contact between men and women (even to the point of not allowing a married couple to assist each other with sunscreen) and the aforementioned ban on erections. While ideas around nudity have liberalized, some of the policies they created haven't.
Is Arousal Just a Male Problem?
The short answer is no. Some women also report avoiding nude recreation for fear of being aroused. Women have fewer external signs of arousal, however, and some, like erect nipples, are also caused by feeling cold.
But the Families!
Most nude beaches and resorts allow families. Nudists respect that families do not want to be exposed sexual behavior, and are on their best behavior when families are around. This is one situation where an erection ban is still warranted. Nudist resorts are very diligent about keeping voyeurs off their property, especially if they are a family-friendly resort. Any sexual behavior here will get you kicked out and banned.
The Bottom Line
Arousal has always been a touchy subject among nudists and naturists. While views on arousal are becoming more nuanced, there is no clear cut answer to the age old question of erections at nudist resorts and beaches. I don't mean to scare anyone away from nudism. Erections are very uncommon. I can only remember seeing two in my 29 years as a nudist, and even through puberty I never experienced an unwanted erection while nude. Hit the beach, get some sun, and don't worry about your body's reactions. If it happens, don't make a big deal out if it. Roll onto your stomach, go for a swim, cover up with a towel or blanket. It will pass and you can get back to enjoying the freedom of being nude.
#nudism #naturism #bodypositive #clothingoptional
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