Britannica AI Icon

nudity

human behavior
Also known as: nakedness

Quick Summary

Nudity refers to the state of having no clothes on one's body. It is a human behavior that can be practiced for reasons of health or comfort, as seen in the practice of nudism. Nudism involves the free interaction of sexes, typically without sexual activity, and originated in Germany in the early 20th century as a rebellion against rigid moral attitudes. While public nudity has become more common, nudism remains restricted to specific areas like camps and beaches, with a generally non-erotic atmosphere and strict rules of conduct. Psychologists generally find adults who practice nudism to be psychologically healthy, though its impact on children is debated.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.