The movement emphasizes a respectful relationship with the environment. Practicing nudism on beaches, in lakes, or in dedicated parks fosters a direct, unmediated connection to the natural world. FKK in the GDR vs. West Germany
The roots of the "jung und frei" ethos date back to late 19th-century Germany and Switzerland during the Lebensreform (Life Reform) movement. As the Industrial Revolution forced people into crowded, polluted cities, a counterculture emerged. This movement advocated for a return to nature, organic foods, outdoor exercise, and the shedding of restrictive clothing.