A naked party, also known as nude party, is a
party
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often featur ...
where the participants are required to be
nude. The parties have become associated with college campuses and with college-aged people; they gained prominence after naked parties were organized at
Brown University and
Yale University
Yale University is a Private university, private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Sta ...
. While the roots of naked parties come from the
nudism movements and campus
streaking
Streaking is the act of running, often naked, through a public area for publicity, as a prank, a dare, or a form of protest. Streaking is often associated with sporting events, but can occur in more secluded areas. Streakers are often pursued b ...
, the modern "naked party" movement appears to have its roots at Brown University in the 1980s.
Attendees of naked parties often report that they stop feeling awkward after just a few minutes since everyone has disrobed before entering the party and since everyone's nudity is accepted, regardless of body type. According to reports, most naked college parties are sex-free. At Brown University, the nakedness is "more of an experiment in social interaction than a sexual experience".
The event at Yale continued; in 2016 it was observed that, having begun in the 1980s, it has become an institution because of rules that enforce its non-sexual nature.
The spread of naked parties has sparked international controversy. Some students do not like the idea of their schools being associated with them. These concerns have been discussed in different works of literature, such as
Tom Wolfe
Thomas Kennerly Wolfe Jr. (March 2, 1930 – May 14, 2018)Some sources say 1931; ''The New York Times'' and Reuters both initially reported 1931 in their obituaries before changing to 1930. See and was an American author and journalist widely ...
's ''
I Am Charlotte Simmons
''I Am Charlotte Simmons'' is a 2004 novel by Tom Wolfe, concerning sexual and status relationships at the fictional Dupont University. Wolfe researched the novel by talking to students at North Carolina, Florida, Penn, Duke, Stanford, and Mic ...
'' and Natalie Krinsky's ''Chloe Does Yale''. Religious groups have attempted to have nude parties banned in some municipalities.
An oft-cited ''
Christianity Today'' column entitled "What to Say at a Naked Party" cited concerns about sexual assault and objective morality.
See also
*
List of clothing-free events
*
Toga party
A toga party is a Greco-Roman-themed costume party where attendees wear a toga (normally made from a bed sheet) with sandals. The costumes, party games, and other entertainment often adhere to the Roman or Greek theme. Toga parties are associated w ...
*
Young Naturists America
References
External links
College Comment: Black Tie Optional by Darrell Hartman, April 2003
{{nudity
Clothing-free events
Erotic parties
Nudity