Nudists Shed Clothes but Not Habits, Study Finds

People at nudist resorts tend to behave similarly to the way they do in the outside world: with the usual sexual hang-ups, social distinctions and gossip about weight, breast enlargements and the size of personal endowments, a researcher found.

Although nudists often think of themselves as progressive, nudism fails to live up to its ideal that everyone will be treated the same, regardless of social standing or body shape, said Ellen Woodall of the University of Florida.

Woodall, who herself has practiced nudism for 15 years, spent two summers as a housekeeper at a nudist resort for her study.

“People participate in nudism because they find it liberating,” she said, “but it’s very firmly located in the mainstream.”