King's College London Study Results
"Changed to the Most Liberal Country"
It has been found that the British have developed a rapidly progressive perspective on sharp social issues over the past 40 years.
On the 7th (local time), The Guardian cited the report "Expansion of Liberalization: Changes in Social Attitudes in the UK and Other Countries" by the Policy Institute of King's College London, stating that "the UK has surpassed Canada, Germany, and Australia to become the most liberal country in the world on issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia."
According to the report, the UK currently ranks among the top four countries where divorce, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and casual sex are considered justifiable. Sweden is identified as the most liberal regarding homosexuality, divorce, and abortion; Germany regarding euthanasia; and France regarding suicide.
Regarding casual sex, 48% of Australians believe it can be justified, whereas only 1% of Chinese agree. Homosexuality and divorce face the most opposition in Nigeria, while abortion and suicide are most opposed in Egypt.
In the UK, the percentages of those who consider homosexuality and divorce justifiable were recorded at 66% and 64%, respectively. This represents a 4 to 5-fold increase compared to about 40 years ago in 1981, when the figures were 12% and 18%, respectively. During the same period, acceptance of abortion and euthanasia also rose 2 to 3 times, from 14% to 48% and 20% to 47%, respectively.
In particular, the significant increase in these responses over the past five years is analyzed as reflecting a rapid rise in acceptance of homosexuality, casual sex, and prostitution during the same period.
However, regarding the death penalty, 55% responded that it can be justified to some extent, indicating a relatively conservative stance. This is lower than Iran (83%), Japan (76%), the United States (73%), and South Korea (60%), but more than double that of Greece, Germany, and Norway.
This survey was conducted by the polling firm Ipsos on 3,056 British adults from March to September last year. For comparisons with other countries such as South Korea, data from the World Values Survey between 2017 and 2022 were reportedly used. These countries represent about half of the world's population.
Bobby Duffy, a professor at King's College London who led the survey, explained to The Guardian, "Concerns that were once moral, such as homosexuality, divorce, and casual sex, have become simple facts of life for many," adding, "This is not a result driven by the younger generation replacing the older generation, but rather all generations changing their perspectives."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
