20·30 "Extremes are OK... as long as it's not related to me"
Nine out of ten adults agreed that individual preferences should be respected, and among them, the 20s and 30s generations expressed the opinion that even extreme claims are a matter of personal choice.
On the 23rd, Embrain Trend Monitor, a market research company, conducted the '2023 Survey on the Correlation between Personal Preferences and Morality' targeting 1,000 adults aged 19 to 59 nationwide. The results showed that there is a consensus on the need for mutual respect for 'personal preferences,' and especially among younger generations, extreme claims are regarded as a matter of personal choice.
"If tastes are the same, it's 'nice to meet you'... but I don't necessarily feel the need to be acknowledged"
Overall, 86.8% of respondents answered that personal preferences should be respected.
Furthermore, a high percentage of respondents said, "I somehow feel glad when I see someone with similar tastes to mine (79.6%)" and "I enjoy meeting people who share the same tastes and values (77.3%)," indicating a preference for meeting people similar to themselves in terms of taste.
However, compared to the 2019 survey, the sense of affinity felt toward those with similar tastes (79.9% → 73.9%) and the sense of belonging (66.5% → 60.2%) slightly decreased.
While respondents felt great favor when others empathized with their tastes (77.0%), the desire to have their tastes recognized by others was relatively low (43.4%), and the tendency to be aware of others' views on their tastes also weakened (31.1%).
Nevertheless, among all respondents, one in two (48.9%) expressed fear that they might be alienated within a group if they reveal their tastes.
In response, Embrain explained, "There is a need to have one's tastes respected by others, but at the same time, people tend to avoid 'being distinguished' or 'discriminated against' because of it. We could anticipate that there is a considerable discomfort regarding sharing tastes."
"There is right and wrong," they agree... but 20s and 30s say, "Extreme claims are also personal choices"
While it was evaluated as important to respect individual preferences, there was a strong perception that following basic social standards is more important than personal tastes.
Overall, 84.5% of respondents answered that there are clearly issues that distinguish right from wrong in the world, and many agreed that it is important to act according to moral values even if not punished by law (80.2%).
Additionally, 70.8% believed that people making extreme claims would harm the community.
However, especially among younger age groups, there was an opinion that politically extreme claims are ultimately a matter of personal choice (20s 55.2%, 30s 51.6%, 40s 43.6%, 50s 42.4%), and if it does not directly concern oneself, extreme claims are acceptable (20s 28.8%, 30s 34.0%, 40s 19.2%, 50s 17.2%).
Embrain stated, "This result can be seen as reflecting the attitude of the 20s and 30s generations, who relatively prioritize personal preferences and the right to choose. It is a concerning aspect that issues that could potentially become social problems are being accepted as matters of personal preference."
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