By Victoria Wellman
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The nudist lifestyle is an alternative and somewhat bewildering choice to most people but few consider how living sans-clothing affects children.
For nine-year-old Alex Reamer of Loxahatchee, Florida, the liberating fashion choice is one that he values highly. Aside from the small issue of pesky mosquitoes.
Residing in a nudist community just outside Palm Beach with his parents and brother, the fair-haired boy spends most days like any other - playing video games, riding his bike and playing with friends - albeit, naked.
Hippie kid: Alex Reamer is a nine-year-old who lives in a nudist campground with his parents and brother in Loxahatchee, Florida
In an in-depth exploration into the lives of nudists, ABC's 20/20: Xtreme Parents follows the day-to-day routine of the Reamer family giving them the opportunity to demystify what they believe is a perfectly commendable way of life.
But the open-minded parents agreed only to take part in the filming if the final edit did not blur out their private parts.
'It sends the wrong message,' explains Sandra Reamer. 'It says that nudity is bad.'
Her son Alex sees nothing weird about being naked around the clock either.
In fact, the home-schooled child loves it so much that he is loathe to leave the private campground in which they live for visits that will inevitably require him to wear clothes.
Nature-lovers: Sandra and Frank Reamer believe that living naked promotes a healthy sense of body image for their children
The family decided to move to the 40-acre 'naturist family resort', Sunsport Gardens, six years ago to join the 70 residents who currently live there, but only after both their sons had agreed they were willing.
Alex's older brother, Bud, is not however an advocate for his family's love of going bare.
Though he still lives in his parents' RV, he always wears clothes and is planning to leave Sunsport and join the army when he turns 18.
The 15-year-old thinks nudism is 'weird' and says wearing clothes 'is just more comfortable.'
For those who might agree with Bud about the unconventionality of the decision and question the motives of people who opt to go nudist and live among others, Frank and Sandra Reamer are quick to respond.
'People have a misconception,' says Mr Reamer. 'They think this is about sex, and it isn't. My wife and I are in a monogamous relationship. We live with our children. I've seen them all nud e, they've all seen me nude.'
Rebel: Alex's older brother Bud, 15, does not share his family's desire to strip off whenever possible and despite being frowned upon at the camp, feels more comfortable wearing clothes
Florida's Department of Children and Families explained to ABC that nudism is not illegal even when it comes to children and Sunsport maintians that they do background checks on all visitors so no leering strangers can enter.
The camp's owner, Morley Schloss adds that the authorities have never found any 'wrongdoing' at the grounds either.
The Reamers believe that living as nudists only has a positive impact on the children.
Mrs Reamer expanded: 'As far as body image, the kids are seeing all different kinds of people, and they're seeing that people can be different. There is less judgment.'
And it would seem their nine year old agrees: 'I just like to go nude.'
20/20: Xtreme Parents will air this Friday at 10 p.m. ET.
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i was on a nude beach for the first time 3 yrs. ago in st.marrten and it was euphoric the most amazing feeling in the world. to me anyway and no it wasnt a sexual thing just a feeling of amazing freedom. dont knock it till u try it..........just sayin
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It's strange that so many find nudity to be strange. We should all feel comfable about our bodies and forget about conventions, fashions, faslehoods.
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Like I've always said, nothing is worse than a skeeter on your peter!
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He will probably change his mind before he gets to 13 - once kids hit puberty, things seem to change.
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Woudn't fancy riding a bike with no pants on!! - Marian, South Africa, 04/5/2012 10:10........................................................................................................................ Well, it might be a problem if your butt is really large and it goes sideways. Cheeky.Urgh! Horrible thought.
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Just. Plain. Weird.
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Woudn't fancy riding a bike with no pants on!! - Marian, South Africa~~~~~~ I'll be taking part in the London Naked Cycle ride ( again ) In June....and you could always do what a number of the riders do....Slip a piece of towelling over the saddle...job done. As for a lot of people who decry Naturism .....let me ask you something....WHY do people wear clothes? It's not because of modesty, it simply came about to protect you from the elements...then it became "custom".
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Mosquitoes??, I'd be more worried about slipping with the kettle. It's not about sex, of course it is. It's natural to look at the opposit sex and if that person happens to be node. I think you can guess where I'd be looking.
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I speak for the American Religious Republicans for Prudishness and Hypocrisy. I believe we should all be able to practice whatever crazy ideals we follow whether it is a virgin woman giving birth, a talking burning bush or that two types of every animal on earth made it onto an ark but i do not think these people should be able to live a life as they were born...NAKED. Thanking you in advance for your tolerance of my intolerant views.
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Typical blinkered Brit attitudes. How did you guys survive getting married and finding out what the wife/hubby looked like naked for the first time? How did you survive the wedding-night? Turned the lights out, of course, got into you pajamas in the bathroom, slid into bed, light out, thought of England, er... what EXACTLY are you supposed to do, darling? WHAT! - god, how disgusting! The Victorian Age is over, guys, jopin the modern world. Don't, whatever you do, come over to Scandinavia for an orienteering competition - you'll get a shock! Communal showers, no curtains. All shower together, soap each other down. No problems, why should there be? Nudity is common on the dark, evil, continent, nothing sleazy about it, get used to it, get a life. Same sunbathing at the beach, you don't like it, walk-on passed and sunbathe elsewhere. Yes, we have paedo's here, too, weird leering gays who like to look, but we sort them, our kids go safe.
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