Naturist Survey #1 Speaks
I’m making this post with the new “Post Directly from the Substack App” Tool. Well done Substack!! Great add.
Anyway, as promised, I thought I’d provide a summary to the findings from Naturist Survey #1. First and foremost, it WAS as much fun as I thought it would be. Seeing how the data fell, the responses, and reading some of the comments…very interesting. I can all but guarantee that there will be a Naturist Survey #2.
All in all, I had 71 responses. That’s about 70 more than I thought I’d get! I’m always a bit amazed that anyone reads my posts. So, I was very surprised. Most of the questions follow suit with 71 responses. But not all. Maybe some were skipped here and there.
96% of the respondents were male. So, I estimate 4 female survey takers. To those 4, thanks not only for taking the survey, but for reading! I’d love to have more of you to help provide different perspectives. But I’ll take what I got with a smile. Tell a friend!
The use of naturist or nudist was, not surprisingly, a mixed bag with no one preference standing out. Only 3% went with “nudie”, an option I like to use now and again.
What was certain is that the populous was largely not part of the swinger community. 95% reported they were not. I’m pleased with that number. Noting against swingers personally. But it’s just not the audience I write to.
About 22% grew up in a naturist friendly environment. The other 78% kept things under wraps, with varying levels of understanding from their families and friends. 14% grew up in a household where nudity was viewed as wrong.
I was very surprised to see 53% of the naturist respondents felt that the idea of trying naturism just came to them, out of the blue. Only 31% could link the naturist spark to reading an article, seeing mention of nudism in a movie or TV show, etc. I expected that number to be much higher.
For our early day nude experiences, most did it solo in nature. The driving force was a simple love of being nude, 68%. Most of us kept this new hobby under wraps. But when they did come out to friends or family, none of the 71 responses pointed to being disowned, unfriended, or shunned. 71% said their family or friends either accepted with qualifiers (keep dressed around me) or no qualifiers (you be you). That’s a revealing number for those fearing letting anyone know their secret
On the whole, no one felt very strongly regarding pubic hair or genital/nipple jewelry. On the former, going smooth was preferred amongst those who cared. For the latter, 20% admitted they either think genital jewels are weird or they’d prefer it be kept at home.
Ah yes, the erection numbers. Several commenters wondered why I provided a 6-level erection scale when everything after #3 would be viewed by most as erect. The answer — I don’t disagree, but it’s a matter of what I could find.
Only 15% felt that erections are always wrong in a naturist setting. 36% went to the other side of the scale with a live and let live approach. But given that I had a 96% male population, maybe that isn’t that surprising. But as your math skills highlight, 49% generally felt they weren’t that big a deal.
A strong 78% didn’t think fears of having an erection or what the reaction to it might be were a strong impediment to trying naturism. But at the same time 66% said that being nude with a non-sexual erection in a non-naturist venue is something they view and treat differently than being at a naturist venue. In other words, naked and hard at home, there is less concern.
A whopping 79% chose option #2 or #3 as acceptable at a nudist venue. This was quite surprising to me, particularly the 37% that indicated #3 as acceptable. While I’d like to view this as somewhat encouraging, since I tend to view this issue as often times overly demonized, I actually chalk it up to my 96% male population. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on the men’s part? Not sure. The numbers don’t tell why people answered the way they did.
78% said their answer on what was acceptable didn’t change based on who they were around. That surprised me. I tend to feel that it does — around people you know and trust, and who know you well, who you are and what you’re about, I’d expect even less concern.
40% of respondents cited mental health as being the biggest positive benefit of naturism. I tend to agree, for me personally at least. There are certainly other significant benefits as well. But mental health is a big one.
Only 4% are fully in the naturist closet. I’m glad to see that number so low. Being open as a naturist, even if only to a small group of trusted family and friends, is very valuable.
97% are up for survey #2! But I had to chuckle that a few said “no thanks.” They took the time to fill out this survey and then say “no way, not again” at the end. I guess it wasn’t as fun for everyone. Must have worn on them
Anyway, that’s it. Thanks again for your time and answers. Im smarter thanks to you all!
Fred, you’re probably right. But at the same time, I suspect that over time, what is within the range of “the norm” for the naturist community may gradually shift. But as you mention, definitely some surprises in there. As always, thanks for reading and for the comment.
Definitely not a representative selection of nudists. However I think you have a good idea of what your readership thinks. I think your readership is probably more accepting of nonconformity than the actual nudist community.
I am a live and let live person. (If you are anywhere near children, I become much less so.) However a nudist resort cannot be live and let live. The rules will always be written for the most conservative one third. The same thing applies to organized public events.