«Morality of ukrainian society» The results of the Ukrainian social research within the framework of annual social research program

“MENTAL BASIS OF CHOICE”

Within the framework of annual social research program “Mental basis of choice” the Gorshenin Institute has completed the EIGHTH national research conducted Nov. 1 to Nov. 10 2007 in 129 localities of Ukraine.

In general, according to the route sampling with account of basic socio-demographic breakdown of the population of Ukraine, there were 2000 respondents interviewed, which represent adult population, aged from 18 years. The quotes of sample were the following: age, gender, education, a type of locality the respondent lives. General amount of poll points are 129 (63 towns and 66 rural settlements). Statistical error does not exceed +/- 2,2%.

The questionnaires of all the polls within annual program are worked out by sociologists involving social psychology experts, which enables investigation of completely new scope of public opinion.

According to the results of the eighth public opinion poll, experts of the Institute have drawn the following conclusions:

Appraisal of society

The majority of Ukrainians inclines toward conservatism when talking about tradition, morality or world-view. At the same time Ukrainian society is characterized by critical attitude towards Ukraine’s development. More than 70% consider that the society does not develop or has stopped in its development. Half of respondents appraise negatively general condition of morality in the society – they name rudeness in communication, disrespect to elder people and indifference to others’ problems. The most critical about morality in Ukraine are those who consider family and church to be the main bearers of moral values.

Morality

1. • The main bearers of moral values for Ukrainians are family, state, church and educational institutions. Family is the morality source for two thirds of Ukrainians. The role of the state in moral education is greater than the role of church. Still church forms higher moral demands than the state, school or art. Art is a source of moral values just for a quarter of Ukrainians.

2. • The principle “Not my business” is widely spread in Ukraine. It applies not only at the political or social level but also in everyday life: there’s a tendency of nonintervention in troublemaker’s actions in the answers of respondents.

3. • One third of Ukrainians tolerate adultery, two thirds - premarital sexual relationships, 18% - homosexual relationships (13% of which consider such relationships “sometimes acceptable”), and only every eighth respondent accepts a driver to drive in drunk condition.

4. • A half of Ukrainians don’t think it’s wrong to break law from time to time.

5. • Among life values the respondents named health (75%) and material well-being (86%) to be the most important. Knowledge, intellectual development and independence in actions take last places in the list of priorities.

6. • With two thirds of Ukrainians considering rudeness and obscene words unacceptable the half of respondents considers it normal to appropriate somebody else’s things or to evade taxes.

7. • Two thirds of Ukrainians consider it acceptable to complain to the law enforcement agencies about their acquaintance who has committed a minor crime.

8. • Ukrainians treat corruption (e.g. bribery) more tolerantly that private property violence. Bribery is considered to be less evil than shoplifting.

Morality and politics

Ukrainian society has clear moral attitudes towards negative political processes and politicians’ actions but in real life these moral norms are not applied.

The society treats negatively nepotism in political life: two thirds of respondents criticize such practice. Also two thirds of Ukrainians take negatively sponsored articles in mass-media, infringement of freedom of speech and others methods of information misrepresentation. One third of respondents consider subornation of voters during electoral campaigns acceptable but only 15% of respondents accept the situation of electoral promises back-word.

Communication in society

Ukrainians treat very rich and very poor people almost in the same negative way. 79% respondents said there is enmity towards rich people in society, almost 80% claim the existence of enmity towards homeless people.

More than a half of Ukrianians think one has every reason to speak about development of xenophobia in Ukraine. 41% of respondents speak about the existence of religious intolerance.

APPENDIX

1. 1. How would you rate the overall state of Ukrainian society today?

   1. 1 - Society is developing – 18,9%

   2. 2 - Society is not developing – 36,7%

   3. 3 - Society is declining – 33,9%

   4. 4 - Other – 0,8%

   5. 5 - Difficult to answer – 9,8%

2. 2. How would you rate the overall state of moral values in Ukrainian society today?

   1. 1 - Good – 3,4%

   2. 2 - Only fair – 37,3%

   3. 3 - Poor – 50,0%

   4. 4 - Difficult to answer – 9,3%

3. 3. Who is the principal bearer of moral values for you? (possible to give several answers)

   1. 1 - Family – 74,0%

   2. 2 - State – 34,6%

   3. 3 - Church – 33,6%

   4. 4 - School or other educational institution – 31,3%

   5. 5 - TV, cinema – 21,9%

   6. 6 - Literature – 21,7%

   7. 7 - Other - 0,6%

   8. 8 - Difficult to answer – 4,5%

4. 4. On your opinion why people usually adhere moral principles?

   1. 1 - By inner persuasion – 56,0%

   2. 2 - In order to look good in the eyes of other people – 22,8%

   3. 3 - In order to avoid blame of people – 14,9%

   4. 4 - Other – 0,4%

   5. 5 - Difficult to answer – 5,8%

What is your attitude toward following actions:

Never acceptable	Sometimes acceptable		Acceptable
5. Shoplifting	88,4%	8,4%	3,2%
6. Homosexual relations	81,3%	13,0%	5,7%
7. Drunk car driving	86,7%	10,2%	3,1%
8. Garbage or disposal throw-out in a street or nature	73,3%	22,4%	4,3%
9. Violation of traffic rules	70,2%	25,6%	4,2%
10. Rudeness, abusive language	63,4%	29,8%	6,8%

11. Adultery	61,5%	29,3%	9,2%
12. Doctor-assisted suicide (euthanasia)	52,3%	30,8%	16,9%
13. Tax evasion	48,5%	37,5%	14,0%
14. Deception for sake of profit	48,3%	41,6%	10,0%
15. Pocketing of found things, money	43,2%	41,9%	14,9%
16. Traveling in public transport without a ticket	38,2%	45,0%	16,8%
17. Abortions	37,3%	45,1%	17,6%
18. Complaining to law-enforcement authorities about friend who has steal something	36,3%	41,3%	22,4%
19. Jumping the queue in a shop, booking office etc.	33,2%	49,5%	17,3%
20. Premarital sex	31,7%	37,0%	31,3%