Narrow approval for women topless at beaches

| Filed under: Toronto, Social Issues

Majority approve of provincial law on females topless in public

TORONTO AUGUST 26th, 2014 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 931 Toronto voters, narrowly more approve of the idea of women going topless at Toronto's beaches (45%) than disapprove (42%), while one tenth have no opinion on this critical issue (13%). Approval of a European approach to sunbathing is common to Gen Y (35 to 44 - 58%), males (60%), the wealthiest ($80K to $100K - 54%, $100k to $250K - 55%), in the downtown (60%), the best educated (post grad - 58%), provincial NDP supporters (59%), David Soknacki supporters (70%). Mothers with kids are not so enthusiastic (33%).


Majority approve of law on public toplessness

When informed about the provincial law which allows males and females to be topless anywhere, a majority approve (51%), while 4-in-10 disapprove (41%) and less than a tenth have no opinion (8%). The profile of those who approve of the provincial law is similar to those who like the idea of topless women at public beaches.


"It appears a more relaxed attitude to public nudity is something of an elitist phenomenon; wealthier downtowners with post graduate degrees. It may be these respondents are more likely to have experienced topless beaches abroad," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.