{"id":14650,"date":"2014-02-06T11:52:30","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T16:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/russias-moral-barometer-homosexuality-unacceptable-but-drinking-less-so\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:23:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T08:23:15","slug":"russias-moral-barometer-homosexuality-unacceptable-but-drinking-less-so","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2014\/02\/06\/russias-moral-barometer-homosexuality-unacceptable-but-drinking-less-so\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia\u2019s moral barometer: Homosexuality unacceptable, but drinking, less so"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"FT_Russia_Homosexuality\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

The Olympic Winter Games in Sochi have shone a spotlight on the status of gays and lesbians<\/a> in Russia. In particular, attention has focused on the anti-homosexual \u201cpropaganda\u201d law<\/a>, which was approved by the Russian parliament in a 436-0 vote last June. While President Vladimir Putin has defended the legislation as non-discriminatory, the measure has generated a significant backlash among Western countries<\/a> and Olympic athletes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

But when it comes to public opinion in Russia, newly released data from a 2013 Pew Research Center survey suggests a similar reaction is unlikely: nearly three-quarters of the Russian population (72%) think that homosexuality is morally unacceptable, with only 18% saying it is acceptable or not a moral issue. In Russia, homosexuality tops the list of unacceptable behaviors even in comparison to other controversial issues, such as abortion and alcohol consumption. In fact, extramarital affairs (69% unacceptable) and gambling (62%) are the only other issues tested that are frowned upon by a majority of the Russian people.<\/p>\n\n

This sentiment cuts across Russian society. Nearly equal numbers of men and women and young (18-29) and old (50+) think homosexuality is morally unacceptable. In addition, 65% of Russians with a college degree think homosexuality is immoral, while 75% without a college degree concur. Even among those Russians who think religion is not too or not at all important in their lives, 65% say homosexuality is wrong.<\/p>\n\n

\"FT_Russia_Alcohol\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

Russians generally agree that extramarital affairs and gambling are also unacceptable, but they are more divided when it comes to abortion and alcohol usage. Both are seen a morally unacceptable by 44% of the population, but 35% and 39% respectively say these are acceptable or are not a moral issue.<\/p>\n\n

There is a stark gender and age divide on attitudes toward drinking which has long been an issue troubling Russian society. About half of Russian women (52%) say drinking alcohol is morally wrong, but only 36% of Russian men agree. And 52% of Russians over the age of 50 also say drinking is morally unacceptable, while only 39% of those under 30 say the same. A recent study published<\/a> in The Lancet<\/i> medical journal reinforces evidence \u201cthat vodka is a major cause of the high risk of premature death in Russian adults,\u201d and a quarter of Russian men die<\/a> before they are 55, mostly due to alcohol.<\/p>\n\n

On the issues of premarital sex, divorce, and contraceptives, Russians are on balance accepting of these practices. Four-in-ten say sex between unmarried adults is an acceptable moral practice, while 46% agree that divorce is morally acceptable. And a 62%-majority think contraceptive use is proper, with only 7% saying that using a contraceptive is a morally unacceptable action.<\/p>\n\n

Note: This data will be published in a forthcoming report that looks at global attitudes towards morality more broadly. The topline for this data<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>can be found here<\/i><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Nearly three-quarters of the Russian population (72%) think that homosexuality is morally unacceptable, with only 18% saying it is acceptable or not a moral 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