The Nation - News from Aug. 21, 1988

Americans, by a 3-2 margin, believe private clubs should not be allowed to exclude people on the basis of sex, according to a Gallup poll. A larger proportion of women (62%) than men (50%) feels clubs should not have the right to practice sex discrimination. Liberal attitudes on the issue also are more prevalent among young adults, people who did not attend college, the less affluent and Democrats, the latest survey found. In contrast, people with annual family incomes of $40,000 or more are narrowly divided between those favoring (47%) and opposing (50%) clubs’ right to exclude women. Even larger majorities--roughly 8 in 10--oppose clubs’ rights to discriminate against prospective members on the basis of race, religion or nationality.