If we're truly going to become 'naturists', with everything that goes along with that word, then we need to accept sex as an important part of society, and not a part that should be shameful or hidden. Nudism without acceptance of sexuality is merely 'playing' at naturism. While unwelcome sexual advances should be discouraged, I believe that sexuality is normal and natural, and doesn't automatically lead to abuse.

If we want more men?????? You gotta be kidding. We're already top heavy with men. It's the women we need to be concentrating on.

I know when I first started participating it was tough and I agree that the new situations and breezes can get the better of you, especially for a young sexual males - find a young teenage to twenty something year old male who doesn't have sex on the mind....lol We are sexual beings.

A few years later I got heavily involved in nude modeling part time for life drawing classes (ok so I am comfortable with myself) and then again the same question turned up (no pun intended) now I was IN an environment being the only nude person while fully knowing that everyone was looking at me. Also when you pose for an extended period of time you are left to your own thoughts unlike when in a social situation with fellow nudists.

The same situation applies here too. IF it happens you have 2 choices. Break your pose and EVERYONE in the room notices that you have moved from the pose and WHY. OR the second and most recommend & appreciated choice would be to relax, take a deep breath, remain in the pose and just let it happen - you will be very surprised that if you don't make a big deal of it - it will go down as fast as it goes up. Yes the artists will notice what is happening but they are learning to draw and are serious about learning to draw. The already have an adult attitude about being in this class room with a nude model (keep in mind that for most THIS alone is a big step because a majority of art students are not necessarily nudists themselves)

Yes, as was mentioned above - after a while you will learn to be comfortable and the pressures of worrying that it will happen will not be a concern anymore.

...and yes - once in a while when I am posing, and I have been 3 and 4 days a week for the past 2 years - an erection does happen. Afterwards, I have even been complimented by the artists that they welcomed the fact that I didn't make a scene out of a potentially uncomfortable situation for both of us - because it can embarrass them as much as you. Surprisingly, I have even found that on those occasions - I have noticed the pencils move fast and furious as they have tried to incorporate a part of the human body that most models are uncomfortable to let be appreciated.

On a side note - I do not agree with people saying that men are not interested in nudist because of the possibility of erections. On the contrary - if you are noticing a lacking of male participation I would have to believe it is because of the strictly "Lone Wolf" attitude that many many clubs impose on single men. I would think it would be more fair to interview and give a warning period for lack of a better word with a conversation that the club is not a cruising for "babes" place. However, I do understand the "familys and couple" reasonings behind wanting a - safe - place for their family as I know the local beach is not too welcome for its cruising reputation.

I wonder, if a relaxed male body is unobjectionable to most at a nudist event, why should an erect one be ? As Berry said, most of us, can control our sexual urges. An erection alone does not imply intent. If a person is being too forward, then maybe something should be done, but I do not thing we are talking about portraying sexual activity here.

I am very easily excited person, even in my 30's, though the past few years, it has been less of a problem. I have always wanted to sun bath nude, and was always afraid of this. Of course, here in MN, there is little opportunity to do so. I also want to add, that, I as NOT abused as a child, but my family was ultra religious, and sex was so taboo, it was not ever talked about. Sex and everything to do about it was swept under the rug. I do not understand this attitude. What were they afraid of ? To this day I begrudge that attitude, and is probably one of the reasons I am nearly 40 and never married.

There always seems to be a double standard for people, and they are always quick to judge others, and not themselves. For example, many will automatically conclude that a man is gay if he wears a speedo swimsuit. Since I can not sun bath nude in Minnesota, and I do not like tan lines on the middle of my thighs, I wear speedo swimwear. I am not gay. Another example is that people will pay money to see and applaud drag queens (personally I don't get it), yet if they saw a man dressed in woman's clothes at the grocery store, they would walk the other way. People are all different, and all have different opinions. If I go to a nude beach, I expect people to be naked. If I know it can happen to me (an erection), why should I judge another guy ?

I am glad that some of the women who posted here do not object to men with an erection. I think ifi t happens when they are talking to them, they should feel somewhat flattered. I understand that married woman might feel badly about that however, because they do not want their husbands to see that, and might feel guilty as such.

I have only been to a nude beach a few times, and surprisingly, I did fine. I thought seeing women without clothes in a normal, natural setting was so beautiful. It did not get a rise out of that. In fact, I talked with one very good looking woman. I found that talking actually helped.

I can not imagine how the 'cold shower' thing ever got started, cause, cold to me would make things worse.

Thanks,
Bob

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Originally posted by Beery:
All I can say is that obviously some nudists are just as repressed about sexuality as those in the 'clothed' world.

If we're truly going to become 'naturists', with everything that goes along with that word, then we need to accept sex as an important part of society, and not a part that should be shameful or hidden. Nudism without acceptance of sexuality is merely 'playing' at naturism. While unwelcome sexual advances should be discouraged, I believe that sexuality is normal and natural, and doesn't automatically lead to abuse.

It's about time that we got beyond the notion that an erection causes a man to completely lose control over his mind and body. As another contributor wrote, we don't get all upset when women's nipples get hard, although it's just as likely that this is a sexual response as it is when a man gets an erection. The vast majority of men and women are able to control their sexual urges, and the fact that I get aroused when I see a beautiful woman doesn't mean I'm about to rape her, or treat her any differently than anyone I meet.

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We can blame our narrow-minded public for making us feel that just getting nekid is preparing for sex. People should be allowed to be nude anywhere any time they desire. The more exposure to the environment, the less reaction.

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Originally posted by Elaine:
Hi all,

I would like to propose we take a quick poll here. Please answer the following:

Question: 1 - If a man gets an erection while at a nudist facility, should he hide it? Yes or No?

2 - If he can't hide his erection, but is not behaving in an otherwise unacceptable fashion (i.e. he is not masterbating, staring at people, or whatever), should he be asked to leave the resort? Yes or No?

Most men get erections at some point in the sleep cycle. From that point of view, should they dress before dozing off while sunbathing?

You won't be surprised to hear my vote on the above two questions: they are: No, he shouldn't bother to hide the erection (unless, it makes him uncomfortable, of course - like women hide the fact that they are having a period, for example) and no, he should not be asked to leave the resort if he gets an erection he can't, or doesn't chose to, hide.

What do you folks think?

Elaine

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But why is it such a big issue? I think mainly because it is so obvious with a man, but not with a woman. Of course some women also become aroused for various reasons, just as men, but we seldom would notice it, because it is so less noticeable. But just because it is so obvious with a man, this makes it wrong? If some would punish a man for becoming aroused, then they should punish a woman for the same. It is so silly.

As long as the man ignores it, everyone else should also. BUT, I do agree that if someone is uncomfortable with it, they should ask the man to cover up, and he should comply, because there may be those who cant get over this natural function.

SAFETY - this has been mentioned several times, about wanting a safe environment for yourself and your family. I totally agree, a nudist club or gathering should be safe, but how does a mans erection make him dangereous? Just because a man gets an erection does not mean he wants to rape or molest someone, I mean, get real people. Yes, if the man acts inappropriately, 86 his butt right there, or call the cops. But ONLY if he acts inappropriately.

All men get erections at times other than when they are making love to their wife, but this DOES NOT make them a pervert or child molester at those times does it? And the same applies if it happens at a nudist gathering or club. Nudists are supposed to embrace our unclothed bodies, because it is natural, and one of the most amazing and beautiful things god ever created. And a normal function of a mans body is to have erections, sometimes with no stimuli at all. Its our actions that determine our motives, not whether or not we have an erection.

Just my thoughts, and I know some wont agree, but I hope that one day we can get over this silly 'fear'.

Thanks for all the great posts here on this subject, I have enjoyed reading them very much.

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Originally posted by Elaine:
Question: 1 - If a man gets an erection while at a nudist facility, should he hide it? Yes or No?

2 - If he can't hide his erection, but is not behaving in an otherwise unacceptable fashion (i.e. he is not masterbating, staring at people, or whatever), should he be asked to leave the resort? Yes or No?

Most men get erections at some point in the sleep cycle. From that point of view, should they dress before dozing off while sunbathing?

You won't be surprised to hear my vote on the above two questions: they are: No, he shouldn't bother to hide the erection (unless, it makes him uncomfortable, of course - like women hide the fact that they are having a period, for example) and no, he should not be asked to leave the resort if he gets an erection he can't, or doesn't chose to, hide. What do you folks think?
Elaine

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If he's misbehaving he should leave voluntarily and be man enough to do the right thing the next time. If he's not misbehaving and he's not embarrassed, who cares what he would do. If he's embarrassed, he should do whatever makes him more comfortable...like stick it in the sand, dive in some cold water...whatever.

I would point out that fellas have this problem wherever they may be, at almost all ages, dressed or undressed, and we deal with it in other situations.

Of course a male should not be reprimanded for having and erection if it's not due to masturbation. That's like saying a woman should be reprimanded for her nipples becoming erect. The problem is people's ridiculos hang ups, particularly in America, not erected body parts.

I think this is similar to the ridiculos hang ups people have about women breast feeding in public. That is not obscene. It is one the most beautiful and natural things a woman can do, but in America we have a hang up about it. That's dumb, and it's dumb to give some guy a hard time because of a natural erction.

a.k.a. Jim Shorts, Founder
Texas Panhandle Area Nudists (TPAN)

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Originally posted by Jacob K.:
I am surprised by the opinions expressed in this discussion thread. If a man gets an erection at a nudist facility, he MUST cover up right away, even if this means stopping the activities in which he is engaged.

An erection is always strongly associated with sex in most people's minds and this therefore is offensive to many people in a public area.

And, yes, if the man does not cover up right away, or if he gets erections very often in a way people can see, he should be asked to leave the facility right away. After all, what is children were to see this blantantly sexual display!

Jacob

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Wow Jake! That is the most uptight, ridiculos, unnatural thing I've read on-line all day. Do you run from everybody when you get a hard on? I think kids probably understand more than you give them credit for, and a hard penis is not obscene, vulgar, or ugly. Remember, those same kids hear and see a lot worse than a hard on sitting in front of their PCs and TVs.

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Originally posted by Elaine:
Hmmm, we are having quite a debate arising here.

- lets try some sample cases to see where our sources of agreement/disagreement are.

1 - extreme case: Man gets erection while playing with himself - out you go, we would say. Unanimously, I presume. Right?

2 - mild case: Man walking down the beach by himself, occasionally passing others; gets erection and can't easily cover up as he is away form his towel and ocean is windy and cold today. He should just forget it and continue his walk. Unanimously, I presume. Right?

3 - middle case: Man sunbathing around pool, aware of what is going on (i.e. not asleep) but not engaging in any sexual behaviour. Gets erection. He should cover up? I say no, unless he is uncomfortable.

4 - same situation as #3 except that he is asleep. Do we wake him up and ask him to lower the flagpole? I say no; forget it.

5 - another middle case: Man playing volleyball or basketball with friends of both genders. Gets erection but not engaging in any sexual behaviour (maybe someone is a sexy dribbler?). I say he should just forget it and continue with the game. Anyone disagree?

6 - hard to say case: Man meets female and commences conversation. "Hi, my name is Joe. How are you?" Erection starts. Female answers, "I'm fine, my name is Elaine." and conversation continues. Erection continues to grow, but man keeps distance and talks as if nothing was happening. Female notices erection but also notices man is not advancing and seems relaxed. I say she should just ignore it and not expect man to cover up. What do you folks think?

Actually, this might make a great Monty Pithon skit.

Elaine.

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A Monty Pithon skit?! That's hillarious Elaine.

The bottom line is, don't make a big issue of it, but cover it up till it goes away, or go into the water (or take a cold shower...)

This is because in the minds of most, an erect penis signifies readiness for a sex act, and this makes other folk uncomfortable.
This is the reality and no amount of idealist talk justifying totally ignoring an erection is going to change it. So you cover it up, just like you dress in the textile world, where nudity itself signifies readiness for sex, wrongly no doubt, but it does and that's the reality.