Totally agree, its not a place for children, I have been to a couple and on the whole its nice, enjoyable and very relaxed, people just wanting to enjoy the sun on the whole of their body. BUT you do get those who are obviously there with a more perverted idea, i.e. one time we were happily sunbathing and chatting naked on the beach, looked up and only 20 feet away was a guy 'eating' the woman he was with!!! Not even a vague attempt to be discreet. Sorry, but that is SOOOOOOOOO WRONG!
I'm pretty relaxed as a parent too, but I think innocence should be preserved where possible, but I also think that those of us that know the truth of life must say 'there is a risk, and we should therefore minimalise it'. Ergo, kids don't belong on nudist beaches.

On a lighter note, the funniest time on a nudist beach is when a young policeman and woman approached us, they were extremely polite, and quite chatty, and were there to inform us that a mine had been found just off the coast, and would shortly be detonated under a controlled explosion, and not to worry. As I recall I think we made a few funny comments about big 'bangs' and off they went. I must applaude his ability to never lose eye contact, and make it look effortless, and both of them for not seeming embarassed at all!!!

We have been to many topless beach's ...with our kids as well ..our son the first day was a little shocked but it was something that after the first day wasn't a issue anymore, it didn't bother him or our daughter.
If we didn't make nudity so taboo over here it wouldn't be an issue. Being nude is normal.. and this may ruffle some feathers but I think we may have less of a problem with pedophile fuckers if we didn't make such a big deal out of nudity... in the meantime they would be easy to spot on the nude beach and therefore easier to take out (I have absolutely zero tolerance for pedophiles they are the lowest life form)
I think we have to get over the stigma of nudes..it is funny that most of us have a European background but they seem to have evolved quicker than we have in that sense. To me and the whif nudity isn't a big deal

I say people get over it, be proud , be nude , we ALL are under our clothes

*looks in pants* Ack! He's right!

I was talking with my friend just the other day about women being topless. I said that women should just start walking around everywhere (not just beaches) with their tops off (i think this was a tangent conversation about breastfeeding). I said that if it just started happening, sure there would be considerable reaction for a while, but slowly people would get used to it and it would become a norm.

A man can dream, can't he?

Pedophiles are attracted to young children nude or not that is what they are attracted to so allowing nudity I do not see how that will lesson pedophiles.

America was established what 200 something years ago as opposed to the thousands of years other countries have been established that might be why we are behind on times.

But regardless we each should be fit to parent how we feel best if you are ok trotting the kiddos around the nudie beach than that is on you but the other parents that are not OK with it like myself should have the option to take my children to the beach and not have to worry about it.

Also Majority of sex crimes have little to do with a naked body and mainly have to do with a Control/Mental issue so not seeing people naked solves nothing.

I don't see how majority rule is at risk when the majority of people don't go to church, don't believe in religion or go for social status more then anything else. Corruption of government and people high in power is what puts it at risk. I know you probably don't know this but the U.N. is trying to kick all religious groups i.e. the Vatican out of their meetings and agendas because the whole world is well aware of how hypocritical and corrupt religions reputation has been. The world is changing. Look at how many old grannies do sexy ads and are MTV videos. Don't worry it will come it will come.

That maybe all true, but it's this powerful "moral" minority who works the system from within and is so well organizd now that they seem much bigger than they really are. Look at the nature of the complaints against Howard Stern to the FCC. Less than 7,000 complaints out of millions of listeners. But, they're SO vocal that the agency feels obligated to take action and fine him and his company to the point where the guy moves to another venue in order to maintain his first ammendment writes. This is FAR from the only example of well organized campaigns orcestrated by the moral minority in America proving that they think they know what's best for you and me. Personally, I resent them pushing their beliefs down my throat by "working" government officals to administer their agendas.

Well I'm definitely there with you about what they do to Howard. I mean how hard is it to turn the chanel? I personally think the whole moral thing is a sham. I bet those who proclaim themselves righteous the loudest have the dirtest closets.

What she said

I have been to plenty of different nude beaches, so let me clarify a few things:

1. True nudists think of a nude beach as no more sexual than a beach that requires swimsuits. For that reason, nudists do not feel like they are exposing their children to either sexual attention or pedophiles on nude beaches. And in the vast majority of cases, they are correct. There is very little overt sexual activity on nude beaches, and anyone who acted suspicious around little children would be very quickly overwhelmed and cordoned off/kicked off by the nudist beach regulars.

2. There are not a lot of children on nude beaches anyway. The reason usually is that there are actually VERY FEW nude beaches in the United States. So, it takes a lot of logistical planning to get to a nude beach in the first place. They are usually off the beaten path, and require an extra mile's walk down from the "regular" beach. Too much trouble to take kids with you when it is a physical pain to get to the nude beach yourself.

3. Nude beaches in the U.S. are an infinitessimal fraction of the number of total beaches. I would guess the percentage is like .01%. Not 1%, mind you but 1/100th of that. So, the idea of a parent being forced to subject their children to nude people on the beach is "hypothetical". The odds of it happening are a statistical impossibility.

4. In Europe there is much more nudity/toplessness on the beaches. Examples are Denmark, Germany, and Croatia. However, the attitude toward nudity in general in these countries is much more blase than here. It's not considered shocking or titillating there, as opposed to here. As I stated earlier, this is the country that was founded by the strictest denominations of Christian churches in western Europe.

5. The U.S. is still much more liberal on this issue than Muslim countries, such as Iran, Egypt, many parts of Indonesia, etc. In those countries, you have segregated beaches - men and women not even allowed to mix. And when women do go to the beach, it is not in a swimsuit, but a veil, and head-to-toe clothing. So, things could be a hell of a lot worse.

I'm getting a bit off-topic with this post, but I think you're missing something important here -- the true nature of "majority rule".

Thinking in terms of "majority rule" will lead to an erosion of your individual rights every time. Under "majority rule", you don't have a guaranteed set of individual rights; you have a changing set of rules that is subject to the whim of 50.1% of whoever shows up to vote.

Also, I would argue that "corruption of government" has moved us closer to -- not further from -- majority rule. On the whole, the majority of politicians haven chosen to disregard individual rights in favor of protecting (imaginary) group rights. In other words, politicians would rather do what's popular (majority rule) than do what's right. It's all about getting votes, not upholding the Constitution.

Instead of thinking about "majority rule", focus on "inalienable rights".

To be clear, I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything like that. I'm just presenting my own viewpoint and hopefully providing some food for thought.

Regards.

Hmmm. I think I agree with most of what you're trying to say, all though we're not talking about those "isolated" NUDE beaches here. "Public" beaches and just being topless is more what we're about on here. While I have been on several nude beaches myself, and have never had a problem with it... "Top-free" public beaches are an entirely different kind of thing.
As for your comparison to some middle east regions... well, I'm 100% sure that if you were to let the religious right have their way for the next 50 to 80 years, America wouldn't be much different than countries like Iraq morally. Religious fundamentalists are religious fundamentalists regardless of what religion or nationality they represtent. They are people who (for whatever personal reason) have chosen to dedicate their entire time on this planet to the persuit of "SAVING" the world in the name of God. In my personal opinion, they're just plain dangerous when they try to institue influence in politics.

Lynette,

1. In the U.S. there is no distinction -- almost all "topless" beaches are also nude beaches. With the exception of South Beach in Miami, and some areas in California. Feel free to correct me if you know of others. Therefore, I believe my analogy is appropriate when I describe "public" and "isolated", which can be the same thing. An isolated beach is one that takes a while to get to and is less crowded. But it can still be a public beach.

2. I also brought this up because Diane mentioned people with kids being offended by the the sight of body parts they wouldn't normally see. It seemed to me she was referencing people with NO swimsuit, not just topless.

3. One area that seems to have gotten past this is Canada. Because of the hard work of top-free equality activists (people who think women should be able to go without shirts in public if men can), women in certain areas of Canada can appear almost anywhere in Canada, not just the beach, topless. Good for them.

eh! its not actually legal up here just isn't made out to be a big deal I think we are more open minded or just don't worry so much about the little things

Are these people bad





Just to put a spin on this... .. don't allow topless beach's where to a certain degree things are controlled but allow and/or not be able to prevent children acess to porn on the internet to check out boobies on a site such as this( or God forbid another site where a donkey might be involved in/or something like that)
I think in the big picture topless beaches are the least of our worries, but remember we are talking topless beach's, full nudity I feel should be private.

just MY thoughts

Who said people on a topless beach are Bad uncle Buck??? I surely never said that.

Issac, I my posts were my thoughts on it IF it were to become allowed on beaches in the us.

Yes I was talking about full nudity as well. But even topless I would still very much strongly oppose children that have entered the pre puberity and puberity stage until they are of legal age.

I don't care what majority of people are there for and it isnt really fair to compare other countries that have ALWAYS had it this way.

There are A LOT of sick pdeophiles in America. You can go to a site input your adress and see well over 20 registered sex offenders within a few blocks of your home. It is sickening.

We are not a country that has always been raised like this and we are a country with a massive amount of Sexual Predators so to just up and allow something like this and allow those kids in that awkward age I think is asking for a disaster.

I have no problem with things for adults. More power to you. But I think it is WRONG to expose your daughters at lets say 9-17 to such a place.

As far as what kids can access on the net that is why it is a parents job to watch there kids, I watch what mine are allowed to view on the net they don't have free access.

But if the US were to make EVERY beach the option of being nudity or topless than you are taking away my right to choose how to parent my child. If it were to become legal which I don't think it ever would for the simple fact I don;t think a good deal of americans can handle such the freedom ((My opinion)) but if it were to become legal I would hope that they make it like 2 out of every 5 beaches or something so we had the freedom to choose which one we were comfortable taking our kids to.

As for the pics, Ironically it is nothing sexually yet someone felt the need to take topless pics of woman sunbathing on the beach. So woman cant even go out topless and enjoy a day at the beach because you never know what perv is taking your pics of your breasts without your permission.

Diane, the hypothetical situation that you talked about, where most beaches were topless or clothing-optional is so unlikely I don't even think it is worth addressing as a hypothetical. The few beaches that exist now are under constant attack. Either from developers or the self righteous. In another 10 years, you may not have the optional of visiting a clothing optional beach within the United States at all. That's why the scenario you are talking about makes my head spin.

As for children ages 9-17 on these beaches, it's almost as unlikely a hypothetical. That is an age where children are MUCH more self conscious about their bodies and would not (in America at least) be on that type of beach. And nudists never force this stuff on their kids. However, the right wingers who try to close these beaches love to ban children from them. Not necessarily to protect the children, but so that they can classify the beach as an adult "den of iniquity" and close down the clothing-optional status of the beach under that local statute. So, nudists have it in their interests to preserve the beaches as something available for all ages, even if they would not themselves make use of it for their children.

Also, don't fool yourself about the number of predators here vs. other countries. Every week has a report of a multinational ring of predators being broken up. We don't have any more of them than any other country.

Diane, while people do take pics of women on beaches without their permission, this is considered extremely rude on c/o beaches.

However, if you are on a beach of that type it is the risk you take. I have actually inadvertently ended up with pics of other people on my camera when I was taking a photo of my wife. It wasn't intended but I can't orchestrate the layout of the entire beach to take a couple of photos.

Guys, guys, guys... All of a suden we're talking about child molesters, sexual perditors, etc. Geeze! We're talking about grown women on the beach without a bathing suit top on NOT children. Although, I can even remember how many times I've seen small chilren being allowed to frolic on a beach without any suit on. It's totally innocent and the beach should never be considered as a haven for child molesters. Generally the parents are right there to supervise. I fail to see how the subject of anything sexual should even have a place in this discussion. If the government were to make "TOPLESS" sunbathing legal (not nude sunbathing) I'm sure it wouls be a shock and cause some disturbance at first. But, after a short period of time, it wouldn't be anymore objectionalbe than othr parts of the world. Canada has been brought up as an example... it's a good place to start. I've heard about women being top-free there at will in various location. NOTHING bad happens because of it. They're just boobs, that's all. And, that's all they'd be on any beach in the states. I'm on beaches here all the time topless infront of visiting teenage tourist boys, and I doubt that the sight of my bare tits on the beach are going to (or have) caused any of them to come down with any type of negative, sexual, or emotional problems. They pass by and look shyly. That's about it. Some sneak a quick snapshot with their camera (but so do their dads LOL) No harm, no foul. To them it's a unique sight. THAT'S the key! A "unique" sight. If it were made commonplace in America... it wouldn't be unique at all. It would be (dare I say it?)--- NORMAL. To equate boobs on a beach with all kinds of sexual pervertions is just wrond (in my humble opinion).

I have avoided saying anything so as not to offend, but topless beaches in europe are NOT a sexual arena!

It is just a personal choice, families, singles couples most beaches pool are a mix of all, this is just how it is. And sorry guys to be truthfull more about tan lines than turning you on.

your body is a natural thing and i am not meaning nude beaches, but its only showing skin. Truly i believe a guy would be as turned on by a fit bikini body or a topless bikini body and in any case there is a code of conduct... sunglasses for leering i think.

not disagreeing with any opinions just stating that its more commonplace and run of the mill in european resorts.