Hate Your Body?

Nakedness in all-gender groups offers significant emotional and sexual benefits.

• A recent study is the first unbiased investigation of the effects of nonsexual public nakedness.
• Participants who socialized naked reported significantly improved body image and less physique anxiety.
• Public nakedness contributes to self-esteem. It helps one appreciate the diversity of the human form and judge themselves less harshly.

Controversy surrounds public nakedness—nudism or naturism. Those offended by it assert that public nudity harms children and promotes antisocial behavior—but they’ve never been able to cite compelling evidence of harm. Meanwhile, those who enjoy public nakedness at home, at parties, and at private clubs and resorts say it’s not just fine, but beneficial. They cite research supporting their views—but all of those studies have involved surveys of nudists/naturists, who have a clear interest in promoting their naked lifestyle. There’s never been a study of disinterested people who tried public nudity and reported on its psychological impact—until now. The sole well-controlled study shows that group nakedness increases body appreciation and self-esteem and reduces physique anxiety.

Hate Your Body? Public Nakedness Might Change That