Naturists Respond To Scottish Government Consultation

British Naturism (BN) has submitted a response to The Scottish Government's consultation on “Improving the Lives of Children in Scotland - are we there yet?”

Andrew Welch, BN’s Commercial Manager, said:
There is strong evidence that conventional attitudes towards the human body contribute significantly to a wide range of problems, some of them serious - but there is incredible reluctance to face the implications.

Westminster government figures published recently show that the UK has the worst teenage pregnancy figures of any country in Europe, while the figures are even worse in Scotland. The UK is probably the most censorious country in Europe about anything to do with the body. This pattern of less body tolerance, worse outcomes, is repeated across the western world. Our research shows conclusively that this is no chance connection

We are all born naked but years of social conditioning mean that our natural state becomes regarded as extraordinary, ridiculous or even immoral. The media and fashion industries both force us to focus on appearance and an unattainable perfection, so that many people dislike their very humanity. There are good reasons – physical, emotional and psychological – for not wearing clothes when circumstances are right, but the naked human form – something we all possess – can still draw attention, raise eyebrows or even shock. Taboos about the human body cause ignorance and frustration in the young, and create mystery and desire, that can so easily damage society.

Naturists have positive views of nakedness. They benefit from ignoring childhood conditioning and from going without clothes when appropriate. They come from all walks of life. They differ from non-naturists only in their choice of what to wear for certain activities. Surprisingly many people admit to enjoying, and regarding as perfectly normal, skinny-dipping, going topless on beaches (both at home and abroad) and spending time around the house without clothes. There are well over a million people who think of themselves as naturists and over fifteen million who are naturists to some extent.

Governments, authority figures and social and community leaders should accept that the human body is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about and that being more open about it would benefit society. The evidence is clear but there is incredible reluctance to face the implications. It is time to leave prejudices behind and do what it right for the young people of this country.


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Contacts:
BN Commercial Manager
Andrew Welch 01753 481527
07774 955138
commercial.manager@british-naturism.org.uk


Notes for Editors
· British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite naturists around the UK and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2004, although its predecessors have been in existence since the 1930s.

· Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for naturism and to protect naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body.

· Fact – simply being naked in a public place is not against the law. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with naturism but they are not relevant.

· In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and 12 officially designated naturist beaches, with many more used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 13,000 people with around 15,000 more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. The calendar of naturist events – not all run by British Naturism – is packed for 2009. There are also thousands of UK naturists who enjoy holidays and beaches in the UK and abroad without being members of recognised naturist organisations.

· YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They will represent the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally to be held in Italy following Holland in 2008 and hosted the Rally themselves in the UK in May 2007 – see our YBN pages for details.

· Naturism is good for you. Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of naturism is the dress code. See FAQs about naturism.

· It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk of abuse in a naturist environment. In addition, unaccompanied children are not permitted in naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child protection issues, however, BN have a robust child protection policy , a code of practice, and have a Child Protection sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the naturist world.

· For more information on British Naturism, please visit our website at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/. For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/mediacentre/, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page, to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.