NEF-Roper Poll


	NEF/Roper Poll 2000 American Attitudes on Skinny-dipping and Nude Sunbathing

In 1983, The Naturist Society (TNS) commissioned an independent Gallup poll of the attitudes of Americans concerning skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing. The results were quite encouraging and have been used for years as evidence of the acceptance of naturist activities in the U.S. However, with the approach of a new millennium, the numbers had unquestionably become outdated.

The Naturist Education Foundation (NEF) is the nonprofit educational and informational arm of The Naturist Society. Using the exact same questions asked by Gallup for TNS in 1983, NEF commissioned the well known and highly respected Roper-Starch polling organization to take the pulse of America in 2000.

NEF anticipated good numbers, but the results of the 2000 NEF/Roper Poll carry more positive news for naturists than anyone could have imagined. Here are the three questions asked in the nationwide scientific sampling, along with the gratifying answers of Americans.

QUESTION number 1

Do you believe that people who enjoy nude sunbathing should be able to do so without interference from officials as long as they do so at a beach that is accepted for that purpose?

ROPER POLL OF 1,010 ADULTS
SEPTEMBER, 2000
ERROR RISK: 5%

Nude Sunbathing? No Problem!
Few American adults object to nude sunbathing that takes place at beaches in designated areas. The increase in acceptance over the past 17 years is significant. The 2000 NEF/Roper Poll indicates that fully four out of five Americans today support nude sunbathing at places accepted for that purpose. Approval for nude beaches remains higher for men than for women, but the support among women has risen from 65% in 1983 to 75% in 2000.

QUESTION number 2

Local and state governments now set aside public land for special types of recreation such as snow- mobiling, surfing and hunting. Do you think special and secluded areas should be set aside for people who enjoy nude sunbathing?

ROPER POLL OF 1,010 ADULTS
SEPTEMBER, 2000
ERROR RISK: 5%

Designated Nude Beaches - an idea for the 21st Century
As legitimate and recognized of users of public land in the U.S., naturists have finally turned the corner. The idea of setting aside portions of public land for special recreational use is not new, but in 1983, the majority of Americans were not quite ready to approve designated areas for nude sunbathing. In 2000, the idea has achieved parity, with as many people supporting it as are opposed to it. The 2000 NEF/Roper Poll shows broad support across the country and compared to 1983, an increase of more than 10% in support among women.

QUESTION number 3

Have you, personally, ever gone "skinny dipping" or nude sunbathing in a mixed group of men and women at a beach, at a pool, or somewhere else?

ROPER POLL OF 1,010 ADULTS
SEPTEMBER, 2000
ERROR RISK: 5%


	51 Million Skinny-dippers The 2000 NEF/Roper Poll shows that one of every four adults in the U.S. has been skinny- dipping or has sunbathed nude in a mixed-gender social setting. Using current population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the poll suggests more than 51 million Americans have participated at one time or another in nude recreation.


	For more information on the 2000 NEF/Roper Poll, contact the Naturist Education Foundation.


	NEF P.O. Box 132 Oshkosh, WI, USA 54903


	PHONE: (512) 282-6621 FAX: (512) 282-2503 e-mail: ctnudists@aol.com

A major nationwide poll is an expensive project. NEF is a volunteer organization that relies on voluntary contributions from involved naturists. If you would like to support NEF in projects such as this one, please consider making a donation.

CLICK HERE for information on donating to NEF.

All poll results rounded to nearest whole percentage.


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