The previous editorial team had Barbara blogging occasionally about older naturists and trying to apply an ‘older avatar’ to a Second Life setting. We often are drawn into this idea that naturism can only be for the young, the slim and the beautiful when nothing could be further from the truth.

While doing my whistle stop tour of Second Life’s naturist sims I’ve noticed that more male avatars are now wearing older looking skins and they look terrific and individual for doing so. More of this, please, gents.

Sadly, I’ve not yet noticed many women adopting older looking skins. If I do, I’ll be grabbing her for interview and photo session.

Is this a reflection on the demands for women to look younger and more beautiful in real life?

Does this impact on how we women like to portray ourselves in Second Life?

My own real life experience of older naturists is that they often exude a confidence and beauty, regardless of size, shape or age, that younger ones don’t. Naturism is for everyone. It’s open and free. If you find yourself criticising naturists for being on the bigger size, or ‘old’ or ‘not very well hung’ or ‘saggy bombed’ remember that we all hope to reach their age. They wear their age and size confidently and with pride. If you’re criticising others on the basis of looks or shape, you clearly don’t understand naturism very well.

Trine

I read this article from The Elephant Journal and thought I’d comment, as it is still a subject that vexes naturists into pro- and anti- camps.

The essence of the story is that a girl discovers pubic hair for the first time and, never having seen her mother sporting any, thinks there is something wrong with her and is told it’s fine just to shave it away. In later years, the girl rejects shaving everywhere, although not in a dogmatic manner, but one in which she might shave, but then again she might not, it depends on her mood.

One thing I notice is that naturist sometimes feel compelled to have an opinion on others’ shaving habits. They don’t. It’s a personal choice and others’ views on a shaving routine (or not) are utterly, utterly worthless.

In real life, I flip-flop between two extremes, either going bald, or letting everything grow to 1970s ‘jungle’ levels. My body, my choice, and what anyone else has to say on the matter is irrelevant. A ‘bikini line’ isn’t really an option for me. It’s a half-way house for me and if I thought I was going on a textile holiday I’d buy a swimsuit that was appropriately cut. Or maybe just do away with the lot. It would depend on my mood at the time.

The reality is that the beauty industry bombards women with advertising telling them what to do, what not to do, and they’re oppressed up to a point in how they’re supposed to look and act.

It’s your choice, ladies. It’s your body. Make your mind up for yourselves, not because the beauty industry or a man tells you what to do.

Trine