11 BBVA Foundation International Study Values and Worldviews Personal life: lifestyles, values and beliefs June, 2013 Department of Social Studies and

11

BBVA Foundation International Study

Values and Worldviews

Personal life: lifestyles, values and beliefs

June, 2013

Department of Social Studies and Public Opinion

2

"Values and Worldviews" is a BBVA Foundation international study examining a broad set of perceptions, attitudes and values held by citizens in 10 European countries in both public (politics, economics) and private (religion, ethics) domains.

Empirical information was gathered through a survey of 15,000 people aged 18 and over in 10 European Union countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom).

The fieldwork was carried out by Ipsos and completed in January 2013. The design and analysis of the study are the work of the BBVA Foundation Department of Social Studies and Public Opinion.

This presentation focuses on values and beliefs pertaining to the private sphere

Satisfaction and personal values

Lifestyles and the Internet and personal life

Beliefs, religiosity and ethical principles

Views of the family and acceptance of practices subject to moral controversy


333

I. Satisfaction and personal values


44

GENERAL SATISFACTION

• Europeans express a high degree of satisfaction with their lives, averaging 6.9 on a scale from 0 a 10. • Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden lead the satisfaction table by a small margin.• In Poland, the Czech Republic and Spain, satisfaction levels fall slightly below the average.

Thinking about your personal situation, and in general terms, to what extent are you satisfied with your life at the moment? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you are completely unsatisfied and 10 that you are

completely satisfied. Base: all cases.

Total EU countries (10): Referring to the 10 European countries taking part in the survey


55

• This high degree of satisfaction is observed in all population segments, and only rises slightly among those of a higher educational level, young people and those belonging to some religion.

• The extent to which people feel affected by the national economic situation is a discriminating factor for satisfaction scores, which, as we might expect, are increasing among those feeling unaffected by the crisis.

TotalSex

MaleFemale

Age18-2425-3435-4445-54

55-64 65 or over

Age finished studying15 or under

16 to 1920 or over

Still studying Religion

Belongs to one Does not belong

Affected by the economic crisisTo some extent-A great deal

Not at all-Not much

Total EU countries (10)

GENERAL SATISFACTION BY SEGMENT

Thinking about your personal situation, and in general terms, to what extent are you satisfied with your life at the moment. Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you are completely unsatisfied and 10 that you are completely satisfied. Base: all cases.


6

GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTITY

• Citizens identify very strongly with their town, region and country, and rather less so with Europe, though here too identification is in the medium-high interval. The United Kingdom stands apart from the rest in its lesser identification with Europe.

The city/town where you live Your region

People can identify with or feel part of different places or groups. Please tell me to what extent you identify with … ? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you do not identify at all and 10 that you identify strongly. Base: total cases


Czech Republic

Germany

Spain

Poland

Italy

United Kingdom

Denmark

Netherlands

Sweden

France

Your country Europe


7

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

• Overall, Europeans have a better perception of the past than they do of the present or future; an attitude typical of a prolonged period of crisis.

• However, inter-country differences are marked. • The idea that “the future will be better than the present” finds wider support in the Nordic countries.• Citizens in Italy, Poland and Spain feel more strongly that “the past was better than the present”.

The past was better than the present The future will be better than the present

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases


Italy

Poland

Spain

Czech Republic

France

Germany

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Denmark

Sweden


88

LIFE PRIORITIES

In your life, how important are each of the following aspects? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means it is not important at all and 10 means it is very important. Base: all cases.

• Large majorities in Europe rate the family and health as among the most important things in life, ahead of household income, partner relationships and friends, free time and work.

• Religion and political involvement have less weight in Europeans’ lives, particularly in the Czech Republic.

Family HealthHousehold

income

Partner

relationshipsFriends Free time Work Religion

Participation in

political life

Total EU countries (10) 9,0 9,0 8,2 8,1 8,1 7,7 7,5 4,6 3,8

United Kingdom 9,4 9,1 8,5 8,2 8,5 7,9 7,1 4,0 2,5Denmark 9,3 8,9 7,3 8,3 8,6 8,2 7,2 3,5 4,8Sweden 9,3 8,9 8,0 8,0 8,6 8,2 7,6 3,5 4,4Spain 9,2 9,1 8,3 8,2 7,9 7,5 8,3 4,3 3,3Czech Republic 9,1 9,4 8,7 8,3 8,1 7,8 7,8 2,6 2,3Italy 9,1 9,1 8,2 8,1 7,8 7,6 7,8 6,2 4,2France 9,0 9,1 8,0 8,6 8,1 7,7 7,5 3,7 4,4Netherlands 8,7 8,9 7,8 8,3 8,2 7,9 7,2 4,5 4,6Poland 8,6 8,6 8,0 8,0 7,6 7,5 7,4 6,7 3,8Germany 8,6 8,9 8,2 7,6 8,1 7,6 7,1 4,3 4,2


99

WORK PRIORITIES

Which of the following aspects do you consider most important in a job? Base: all cases.

• Europeans look for different things in a job, the most valued being good pay, work-life balance and security of employment.

Total EU countries

(10)

Czech Republic

United Kingdom Poland Italy Germany Spain France Sweden Nether-

lands Denmark

It offers good pay 31,6 52,2 45,7 43,1 34,9 29,2 23,2 20,8 15,9 14,7 13,7

It allows a balance between work and personal life 26,0 12,4 26,3 13,6 20,0 23,9 32,9 31,7 35,2 43,6 49,8

It comes with an indefinite contract 21,6 18,7 6,4 20,6 32,7 22,6 23,8 29,0 18,1 8,3 9,0

It is creative 8,2 7,9 5,1 11,4 6,4 11,8 3,8 6,8 18,4 10,9 11,8

Opportunities for promotion within the organization 5,1 2,2 7,2 2,7 1,8 5,8 9,5 4,5 3,0 3,8 2,8

It offers the opportunity to help others 4,0 2,6 5,7 4,1 1,4 2,3 3,9 4,4 6,9 12,1 8,1

It enjoys prestige and social recognition 2,3 3,8 1,9 2,3 2,4 2,7 1,5 2,3 1,9 3,8 2,8

DK/NA 1,3 0,2 1,7 2,3 0,4 1,7 1,3 0,4 0,5 2,7 1,9


10

• A majority or plurality in the Czech Republic, United Kingdom and Poland cite salary as the most important factor, while the citizens of Denmark, the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, Sweden, France and Spain attach most value to work-life balance.

• Job security is valued most highly in Italy and France.

It offers good pay It allows a balance between work and personal life

It comes with an indefinite contract

Total UE countries (10)

Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Poland

Italy

Germany

Spain

France

Sweden

Netherlands

Denmark

WORK PRIORITIESDepartment of Social Studies and Public Opinion

Which of the following aspects do you consider most important in a job? Base: all cases.

1111

PERCEPTION OF PERSONAL CONTROL

• Europeans also express a strong sense of freedom of choice and control over how their lives develop. The Danes, Swedish, Italians and Dutch are the most convinced of enjoying such freedom and control.

• Spain is spot-on with the European average, with the Czech Republic, Poland, and France trailing slightly behind.

Some people think they have complete freedom of choice and control over how their lives develop, while others think they have no such freedom of choice or control.

Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means none and 10 a great deal. Base: all cases


1212

To what extent, if at all, do you think the following factors influence the standard of living attained by people in your country? They influence it… Base: all cases

Percentage answering “ influence it a lot”

DETERMINANTS OF STANDARDS OF LIVING

• For a majority of Europeans, the factors most influencing the position an individual can attain in society are personal effort and training, compared to the relatively scant influence of external factors such as luck. In between these two extremes come socially conditioned factors like personal relationships and contacts or government policies.

Total EU countries

(10)Denmark Nether-

lands Sweden Spain Germany France United Kingdom Poland Czech

Republic Italy

Personal effort and training 50,0 78,3 62,8 56,4 55,5 55,4 53,8 51,5 48,6 41,5 29,0

Personal relationships and contacts 38,6 50,0 61,3 42,9 46,0 34,7 38,2 38,6 46,2 47,3 25,2

Government policies 34,9 49,3 34,6 38,6 37,2 26,9 31,5 37,7 50,1 47,3 30,9

A supportive climate for business development and entrepreneurship

29,3 47,9 30,8 36,0 33,0 21,3 40,2 28,0 36,2 35,1 19,9

Luck 22,6 10,8 40,5 7,4 23,0 20,3 12,0 19,6 44,6 32,4 21,5


1313

INTERPERSONAL TRUST

• Interpersonal trust stands in the medium range in the European countries surveyed, albeit with substantial variability between societies. The highest levels, exceeding 6 points, are found in Denmark, followed by the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, while overall trust is lowest in France and Spain (below 5 points on average).

• Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the Czech Republic occupy the middle ground.

In general, would you say the majority of people can or cannot be trusted? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that the majority of the people cannot be trusted and 10 means that the majority of people can be trusted. Base: all cases


1414

TRUST BY SEGMENT

• In the ten countries analysed trust tends to increase with educational level. The group finishing studies at age 20 or older (i.e., with a university education) or still studying present the highest trust scores, along with the group saying they feel less affected by the economic crisis.

TotalSex

MaleFemale

Age18-2425-3435-4445-54

55-64 65 or over


16 to 1920 or over

Still studyingReligion


Affected by the crisisTo some extent-A great deal

Not at all-Not much


In general, would you say the majority of people can or cannot be trusted? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that the majority of the people cannot be trusted and 10 means that the majority of people can be trusted . Base: all cases


1515

And how much do you currently feel you trust the following groups and people? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you do not trust them at all and 10 means you trust them completely. Base: all cases.

TRUST IN DIFFERENT GROUPS

• Degree of closeness is a predictor of trust, which diminishes progressively as we move outwards from the immediate circle of family and friends to more distant circles with whom there is less direct or personal contact.

• The Danish and Swedish are the nationalities expressing most trust in family and friends.

Family Your friends

Your fellow workers or students

Your boss, supervisor or

teacher

Your neighbours

The people of your town or

city

The people of your country

Total EU countries (10) 8,6 7,8 6,5 6,2 6,2 5,9 5,6

Sweden 9,4 8,7 7,5 7,3 6,8 6,2 6,0

Denmark 9,2 9,1 7,7 7,4 7,6 6,8 6,7

United Kingdom 9,0 8,4 6,6 6,3 6,5 5,6 5,4

Czech Republic 9,0 8,2 7,1 6,6 6,3 5,9 5,1

Italy 8,7 7,2 6,3 6,2 5,9 5,9 5,8

Germany 8,7 8,2 6,8 6,7 6,6 6,3 6,0

Spain 8,6 7,3 6,2 5,7 5,5 5,9 5,4

France 8,4 7,8 6,0 5,4 5,7 5,2 4,9

Netherlands 8,3 8,4 7,1 6,9 7,3 6,6 6,4

Poland 7,9 7,0 6,1 5,5 5,8 5,6 5,5


161616

II. Lifestyles and the Internet and personal life


1717

¿How often do you read the newspaper, either in print or online? (excluding exclusively sports newspapers).Base: all cases

NEWSPAPER CONSUMPTION

• Newspaper consumption varies significantly across the European countries in the survey. • The daily reading of newspapers is a majority habit in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, and less

common in Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain.


1818

FREE-TIME ACTIVITIES

Could you tell me which of the following situations apply to your personal situation? Percentage answering yes. Base: all cases

• 3 of every 10 Europeans practices sport on a regular basis, while 2 out of 10 do some kind of voluntary work. Artistic activities, by contrast, are very little practised, with visual art activities predominating in relative terms over the practice of music, dance or drama.

• The practice of sports, social and artistic activities is most frequent in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, followed by France.

Total UE

countries

(10)

Denmark Nether-

landsSweden France Germany Spain

Czech

RepublicItaly

United

KingdomPoland

SportYou regularly

practise a sport32,7 58,5 58,1 47,1 43,4 39,0 37,1 25,1 22,8 21,5 16,3

Social

activities

You do voluntary

or charity work18,3 35,4 41,7 27,0 23,9 22,9 8,9 8,8 14,6 19,1 5,0

Artistic

activities

You regularly

paint, draw or do

some other kind

of art

12,9 20,7 19,2 22,2 18,6 14,3 15,3 4,8 6,3 13,5 4,5

You regularly play

a musical

instrument

7,8 13,2 16,9 15,6 8,7 7,4 8,8 9,8 4,7 7,9 4,0

You attend

theatre, dance or

music classes

6,4 8,5 9,3 11 7,5 8,8 5,0 4,3 4,7 5,9 3,1


1919

• …

In the last 6 months, have you been... … Percentage responding positively. Base: all cases

• Attendance at cultural and recreational events is medium-low with significant inter-country variations. The most popular activity is attending sports events, followed by visits to art museums or exhibitions.

• Visits to science museums or attendance at classical music concerts tend to be marginal pastimes only.

ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS

Total EU countries

Denmark Sweden Nether-lands

Czech Republic

Germany United Kingdom

France Italy Spain Poland

To sports events 30,4 39,6 44,7 35,1 36,5 34,1 28,0 27 32,5 31,4 18,1

To an art museum or exhibition 22,4 52,1 43 40,9 18,4 16,9 24,0 30,3 20,5 21,9 7,4

To see a theatre play 18,5 31 33,9 24,3 29,4 20,1 23,2 15,8 16,9 13,7 9,8

To a pop or rock concert, etc. 18,3 40,6 32,1 25,9 21,2 20 17,9 18 14,6 17,1 12,6

To a science and technologymuseum or exhibition

11 22,2 20,8 14,6 9 10,9 13,4 11,1 9,2 9,1 7,4

To a classical music concert 9,5 18,4 19,5 17,9 8,4 12,1 8,3 10,6 6,4 7,4 4,9


2020

Percentage engaging in at least one cultural-recreational activity in the last 6 monthsBase: all cases

• Grouping the percentages that have engaged in at least one of the cultural and recreational activities listed (excluding sports events) at some point in the last six months reveals substantial differences between countries.

• Attendance at such events or venues is much higher in Denmark, followed by Sweden and Netherlands, and much lower in Spain, Italy and, even more so, Poland.

ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTSDepartment of Social Studies and Public Opinion

2121

Percentage engaging in at least one cultural-recreational activity in the last 6 monthsBase: all cases

• Participation in cultural and recreational activities varies widely by segment, and is clearly increasing as we move down the age scale and, more markedly still, with educational level. It is also higher among those not belonging to any religion.

TotalSex

MaleFemale

Age18-2425-3435-4445-54

55-64 65 or over


16 to 1920 or over

Still studying Religion

Belongs to one

Does not belongIdeology

LeftCentre

Right


ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS BY SEGMENTDepartment of Social Studies and Public Opinion

2222

PRACTICES CONCERNING FOOD, HEALTH AND NON-CONVENTIONAL CHANNELS

Could you tell me which of the following situations apply to your personal situation? Percentage answering yes. Base: all cases

• The practice of other activities to do with health and eating habits was low-key overall as well as variable between countries. In relative terms,

• Weight-loss diets were commonest in Denmark, the United Kingdom and Spain• The visit to an alternative medicine specialist in France, Denmark and Germany • The practice of a relaxation exercise regime in Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Total

UE10Denmark

Nether-

landsSweden France Germany Spain

Czech

Rep.Italy

United

KingdomPoland

Feeding

You have followed a slimming diet in

the last 6 months12,6 23,1 11,2 13,4 10,0 8,0 16,9 11,7 15,1 17,1 9,1

You follow a vegetarian, macrobiotic,

naturist diet or similar4,5 3,8 6,6 13,2 2,8 4,8 4,8 2,9 4,8 4,3 3,7

Health

You have visited an alternative

medicine specialist like a homeopath

or acupuncturist in the last year

11,0 17,4 14,4 13,7 21,0 16,1 7,1 8,4 6,3 6,4 2,8

You have visited a psychologist,

psychiatrist or similar in the last two

years

9,0 15,1 15,8 18,9 13,9 7,8 11,7 5,7 5,1 6,6 5,3

Other

practices

You regularly do some kind of

relaxation exercise like yoga 11,4 19,2 20,6 23,3 10,3 14,4 7,7 15,5 6,6 13,0 7,7

You have had your palms or cards

read or have consulted a clairvoyant

in the last two years

4,4 4,2 6,1 7,4 5,4 4,1 2,8 5,7 2,3 7,0 2,9


23

THE INTERNET WORLD: IDENTIFICATION

• 75% of citizens in the ten European countries analysed are Internet users (they have gone online in the last year). Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands are where penetration is highest, while Italy, Spain and Poland bring up the rear of the user table.

• Internet users express a medium-high level of identification with the Internet world, with Danes and Britons identifying strongly and Germans and Poles rather less so.

To what extent do you identify with or feel part of the Internet world…?

Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you do not identify at all and 10 that you identify strongly

Base: Internet users


Denmark

Sweden

Netherlands

France

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Germany

Poland

Spain

Italy

Internet users Base: all cases


24

• Users assign disparate degrees of trust to those they are in contact with through the Internet. In general, the narrower the circle, the greater the trust: increasing in more restricted milieux like people’s professional or social networks, but diminishing when we talk about Internet communication in general.

you are in contact with through the Internet when you do not know

them personally. Base: Internet users

who form part of your online social networks such as Facebook or

similar? Base: belong to some online social network

who form part of your online professional networks such as

LinkedIn or similar. Base: belong to some online professional network


Denmark

Netherlands

Germany

Italy

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Poland

Sweden

Spain

France

THE INTERNET WORLD: TRUST

How much do you feel you trust the people …? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you do not trust them at all, and 10 means you trust them completely


2525

¿ To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree . Base: Internet users

THE INTERNET WORLD: IMPACT

• Internet users are convinced about its favourable impact on their level of informedness. The majority, however, do not feel that it has helped to increase their connection, involvement or say in public affairs.

• A majority also dissent from the view that Internet use has taken time away from their personal relations.

Since using Internet…

I am better informed

about what's going on in the world

I am better informed

about what's going on in my

country

I feel the need to always know the

latest news

I have more contact with

different visions and

cultures

I feel less alone

I feel I can have more say

in the decisions

affecting my country

I feel that I participate

more actively in politics

I feel more of a personal

connection with the politicians

or political parties

I see my friends less


5,9 5,6 4,7 4,6 3,1 2,8 2,4 2,3 2,1

Czech Rep. 7,0 7,1 5,7 5,0 3,9 3,2 3,1 3,3 3,2

Italy 6,3 5,9 5,4 5,2 4,0 4,2 2,8 2,9 2,7

Poland 6,2 6,0 5,2 5,5 3,5 4,1 3,4 3,2 3,3

Denmark 6,2 5,9 4,2 4,4 2,7 2,8 2,5 2,9 1,8

Sweden 6,1 5,7 4,7 4,3 3,1 2,4 2,2 2,4 2,0

Spain 6,0 5,9 4,5 4,7 2,8 2,4 1,5 1,5 1,6United Kingdom 6,0 5,7 4,6 4,2 3,3 2,9 2,1 2,5 2,2

Netherlands 5,9 5,9 5,0 3,7 2,6 3,2 3,1 3,1 1,9

France 5,5 5,2 4,0 4,1 2,5 1,6 1,9 1,3 1,5

Alemania 5,5 5,1 4,4 4,6 2,7 2,6 2,3 2,3 2,0


2626

III. Beliefs, religiosity and ethical principles


27

RELIGION AND RELIGIOSITY

• Although a majority in almost all survey countries belong to some religion, religiosity stands in the medium-low interval in all countries except Poland and Italy.

• The lowest levels of religiosity correspond to the Czech Republic, followed by Sweden and France.

Do you belong to a religion? Base: all cases.


Poland

Italy

Denmark

Spain

Germany

Sweden

France

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Czech Republic

Whether or not you consider yourself a member of some religion, how would you describe yourself? ?

Average on a scale from 0 a 10 where 0 means that you are “not religious at all” and 10 means that you are “very religious”.Base: all cases.


28

RELIGIOSITY BY SEGMENT

• In the ten European countries, religiosity is higher among women and those defining themselves as on the right, as well as increasing with age and diminishing with years of study.

• Conversely, religiosity is lower among men, younger age groups, those with more years of study and those declaredly on the political left.

Whether or not you consider yourself a member of some religion, how would you describe yourself? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that you are “not religious at all” and 10 means that you are “very religious”. Base: all cases.

Total EU countries (10)Total

SexMale

FemaleAge

18-2425-3435-4445-54

55-64 65 or over


16 to 1920 or over

Still studyingIdeology

LeftCentre

Right


29

RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES

• A majority in all countries except Poland say they attend religious ceremonies more for social reasons than for their religious significance. Citizens of Scandinavian countries are the likeliest to express this motive.

• The predominant intention (except in the Czech Republic and Netherlands) is to continue using them to celebrate marriage or the birth of a child; a preference most strongly voiced in Poland and Italy, followed by Denmark.


Sweden

Denmark

Czech Republic

France

Netherlands

Spain

United Kingdom

Germany

Italy

Poland

I attend religious ceremonies (baptisms, weddings, funerals) more for social reasons than

for their religious significance

If I had a young child right now I would have it baptized in a religious

ceremony

If I was about to get married, I would choose a religious ceremony

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.


30

Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about the Bible? Base: all cases

VIEWS ON THE BIBLE

• Europeans are split on how they view the Bible, between those saying it is inspired by the word of God but need not be taken literally (the dominant opinion in Italy and Poland), and those who see it as an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by men (dominating in Denmark and Sweden).

• Only a small proportion, except in Italy and Poland (with almost 30%), contend that the Bible is the actual word of God and has to be taken literally.


In general, compared to people without religious beliefs, do you think people who have religious beliefs are…Percentage answering yes Base: all cases

RELIGION AND PERSONAL LIFE

• A majority in Europe think that people with religious beliefs face death more calmly, and a plurality also believe they are more willing to help those in need. Only a minority, however, draw a positive relationship between religious beliefs and tolerance, happiness or honesty.

• Italians and Poles are the likeliest to perceive a link between religious belief and all these qualities.


Italy

Poland

France

Germany

Spain

Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Sweden

Denmark

Netherlands

Face death more calmly?

Are More willing to help those in need?

More tolerant of those who think differently? Happier? More honest?


31

32

• Europeans take the view that religion does not provide answers to the big questions in people’s lives. • They are more divided as to the effect on people’s lives of paying more heed to religious values. The idea that

people would live better if they paid more attention to religious values and teachings meets with majority agreement in Italy and Poland, but fails to convince elsewhere.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.


Denmark

Sweden

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

France

Netherlands

Germany

Italy

Spain

Poland

THE ROLE OF RELIGION

Religion no longer provides answers to the big questions in people's lives

People would live better if they paid more attention to religious values

and teachings


32

33


Poland

Italy

Germany

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Czech Republic

Spain

Sweden

France

Denmark

• Citizens in all countries exept Poland and Italy see no link between religion and ethics. • Religious membership is a key vector in some countries. In six countries, notably the Czech Republic, Poland,

Italy and Germany, those belonging to a religion tend to see a positive link between ethics and religion. But this relation does not hold true in Sweden, Denmark, France or Spain.

• In all countries, those not belonging to any religion roundly reject the ethics-religion linkage.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

It is necessary to believe in a religion to have values and act in an ethical way

THE ROLE OF RELIGION

Total Belong to a religion Do not belong to a religion


3333

34


France

Denmark

Sweden

Czech Republic

Italy

Spain

United Kingdom

Germany

Poland

Netherlands

• There is across-the-board consensus among Europeans that religion should be kept separate from politics. Also, a majority, say the state should not give financial support to any religion.

• Further, Europeans (except in Poland) do not think it is important for their senior public representative (president or prime minister) to hold religious beliefs.

How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

RELIGION AND POLITICS

Religion should be separate from politics

The state should give financial support to all religions alike

It is important to me that the prime minister of the UK has

religious beliefs


3434

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

• Consensus in all countries around the idea that there are clear principles of what is right and what is wrong. • More divided views on whether such principles should always be applied or applied in accordance with the

circumstances of the moment:• “Applied regardless of circumstances”: majorities in Italy, Poland and, less so, Spain and Germany. • “Applied in accordance with the circumstances”: majorities in Sweden, Denmark, France, Netherlands

and, less so, the United Kingdom.


Sweden

Denmark

Italy

France

Netherlands

Poland

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Which of the following two opinions do you tend to agree with more? Base: all cases

There are clear ethical or moral principles about what is right and what is wrong

No There are no clear ethical or moral principles about what is right and what is wrong

DK-NA

Ethical principles should be applied regardless of the circumstances of the

moment

Ethical principles should be applied in accordance with the circumstances of the

moment

DK-NA


3535

36


Denmark

France

Sweden

Spain

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Italy

Netherlands

Germany

Poland

• Europeans are convinced that there are some values that all cultures should respect however different they may be.

• Ample consensus too that no one is in sole possession of the truth or has the right to tell others how to think or live.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to10, where 0 where 0 means you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

ETHICS AND VALUES

There are some values that all cultures should respect however different they

may be

No one has a monopoly on the truth or the right to tell others what to think or

how to live


3636

3737

IV. Views on the family and acceptance of social practices subject to moral controversy



Sweden

Czech Republic

France

Denmark

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Italy

Poland

• A majority in all the European countries surveyed believe it is best for a couple to live together before getting married. Support for pre-marital cohabitation does not imply opposition to marriage: disagreement with the idea that it is outmoded institution predominates in all countries.

• Disagreement also, except in Germany, with the notion that living alone makes for a more interesting life.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following sentences. ? Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

MARRIAGE AND COUPLEDOM

It is best to live together before you get married

Marriage is an old-fashioned institution

Living alone allows you to have a more interesting life


3838

39


Sweden

Spain

Czech Republic

Denmark

Italy

United Kingdom

France

Poland

Germany

Netherlands

• Europeans conceive gender equality in terms of income, work and the care of children. • The majority consider that a working mother can bond just as closely with her children as a mother who

doesn't work.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

VIEWS ON GENDER AND EQUALITY

Men and women should both contribute to household

income

A A working mother can have just as close and healthy a relationship with her

children as a mother who doesn't work

In general, fathers look after their children just as well as

mothers


3939

40


Czech Republic

Poland

Italy

France

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Sweden

Denmark

• Divergence in Europe on whether people need to be parents in order to feel personally fulfilled (agreement in the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and France, and disagreement elsewhere). In almost all cases, however, a higher percentage think women need children to feel complete compared to men.

• Opinions are divided on whether living with a partner is necessary to attain happiness, though a majority feel that marriage is not.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following sentences? Average on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means that you totally disagree and 10 that you totally agree. Base: all cases.

PERSONAL FULFILLMENT

A woman needs to have children in order to feel complete

A man needs to have children in order to feel complete

You need to live with a partner to be happy, whether or not you are

married

You need to be married to be happy


4040

41

QUALITIES TO BE INSTILLED IN CHILDREN

• From a list of 11 values, Europeans select tolerance, a sense of responsibility and, at a distance, self reliance as the three most important qualities to teach a child. Priorities, however, vary somewhat depending on the country:

• Tolerance and respect for others is especially valued in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and France, followed by Spain and the United Kingdom

• A sense of responsibility is particularly prized in Denmark and the Netherlands• Self reliance is most often mentioned in Denmark y Sweden

Here you have a list of qualities that children can be taught at home. Which do you think is the most important quality that can be taught to a child? 3 mentions. Base: all cases.

Total EU countries

(10)Denmark Nether-

lands Sweden France Spain United Kingdom Germany Italy Poland Czech

Republic

Tolerance and respect for others 68,6 89,6 84,7 81,8 81,3 74,7 74,2 64,2 59,5 51,8 42,3

A sense of responsibility 60,7 73,1 76,1 63,7 57,5 58,2 64,4 64,3 63,8 43,5 53,6

Self reliance 45,2 73,8 29,7 71,2 37,8 33,0 36,5 61,7 39,8 51,1 58,3

Effort 31,0 11,6 18,5 17,1 22,0 40,9 17,3 32,6 33,7 57,5 29,9

Obedience 22,0 5,3 23,2 7,0 35,4 28,7 32,5 11,6 17,8 9,8 26,8

Freedom 14,7 12,2 14,0 12,0 13,3 22,1 9,9 11,0 22,0 12,5 16,6

Respect for the environment 12,7 11,0 16,5 11,8 19,5 10,1 14,4 11,4 14,6 2,9 9,4

Creativity 12,4 13,0 10,3 23,8 11,1 10,1 13,6 13,5 9,9 14,1 16,6

Respect for traditions 11,9 2,9 6,6 2,8 11,6 9,0 14,0 9,4 13,8 17,8 21,8

Religious faith 10,4 1,9 10,0 4,1 5,6 6,5 11,1 7,5 14,6 24,9 6,2

The savings habit 7,9 4,1 8,6 3,8 4,0 5,5 7,6 11,0 9,5 7,3 16,5

DK-NA 1,1 0,6 0,8 0,3 0,7 0,6 2,3 0,8 0,5 2,8 0,7


4141

Do you think each of the situations or behaviours I am going to read out to you is acceptable or not? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you think the situation or behaviour is totally unacceptable and 10 means you think it is totally acceptable. Base: all cases.

• Widespread acceptance of contemporary social practices like living as a couple without being married, being a lone parent or (except in Poland) euthanasia in extreme cases.

• Although acceptance prevails, abortion meets with rather more mixed reactions: rejected in Poland, Italy and Germany; accepted in Sweden and Denmark (overwhelmingly in both cases), the Netherlands, France and the Czech Republic; and tending to divide citizens in the rest.


Sweden

Denmark

Netherlands

France

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Italy

Poland

Living as a couple without being married

Being a lone parent Divorce

(*) Euthanasia (providing medical help to terminally ill people who have an incurable disease and have affirmed that they do not wish to go on living)

Abortion

SOCIAL PRACTICES SUBJECT TO MORAL CONTROVERSY

Euthanasia(*)


4242

• Other practices like using surrogate mothers, same-sex marriage, or the adoption or conception of a child by homosexual couples all fall below the threshold of acceptance, with rejection strongest in Poland and Italy. having sexual relations outside the couple meets with widespread strong disapproval in all survey countries.

• The Swedes, Danes and Dutch and, more moderately, the Spanish are accepting of same-sex marriage and the possibility of such couples adopting or conceiving a child.

(*) Having a baby through a surrogate mother (that is, a woman who offers to carry the baby in her womb)


Having a baby through a surrogate mother (*)

Marriage between people of the same sex

The adoption of a child by homosexual couples

Conception of a child by homosexual couples using sperm or egg donors

Having sexual relations outside the couple


Sweden

Denmark

Netherlands

France

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Italy

Poland

Do you think each of the situations or behaviours I am going to read out to you is acceptable or not? Average on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you think the situation or behaviour is totally unacceptable and 10 means you think it is totally acceptable. Base: all cases.


4343

Do you think each of the situations or behaviours I am going to read out to you is acceptable or not? Distribution on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means you think the situation or behaviour is totally unacceptable and 10 means you think it is totally acceptable. Base: all cases.


TOUCHING ON MORAL BELIEFS

Marriage between people of the same sex


Sweden

Denmark

Netherlands

France

Czech Republic

Spain

United Kingdom

Italy

Germany

Poland

• If we extend our analysis beyond average values and group scores for the most divisive issues into three intervals (6-10, 5, 0-4), we find that in Spain, Italy and Germany, the segments in favour of and against abortion line up more or less evenly (albeit with acceptance prevailing in Spain), while the anti-abortion view predominates in Poland, and the pro-abortion view elsewhere.

• Same-sex marriage is accepted in the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden (scores of 70% or more) and Spain (56%). Rejection dominates strongly in Poland and Italy with remaining countries more divided.

Abortion

Acceptable (scores 6 to 10) Intermediate (5) Unacceptable (scores 0 to 4) DK-NA


4444

• Sample-wide, acceptance of both abortion and same-sex marriage declines among those aged 65 and over. It also increases with educational level, and is higher among younger age groups, those not belonging to any religion, those defining themselves as on the left and, particularly, the non-believer population. Sex is not a major dividing factor, though acceptance of abortion is slightly higher among men and that of same-sex marriage slightly higher among women.


Acceptance of abortion (0 to

10 scale)


TotalSex

MaleFemale

Age18-2425-3435-4445-54

55-64 65 or over


16 to 1920 or over

Still studyingReligion


IdeologyLeft

CentreRight

Acceptance of marriage between

people of the same sex (0 to 10 scale)


4545


Broad acceptance zone•Living as a couple without being married

•Being a lone parent•Divorce

•Euthanasia

Resistance zone with pockets of acceptance•Same-sex marriage

•Adoption of a child by homosexual couples•Conception of a child by homosexual couples using sperm or egg donors

Broad rejection zone•Having sexual relations outside the couple

Acceptance zone with division of opinions•Abortion

•Surrogate mothers

+

-


4646

4747

ConclusionsDepartment of Social Studies and Public Opinion

48

PERSONAL LIFE: VALUES AND LIFESTYLES

• Europeans are satisfied with their personal life and believe they have control over how their lives develop.

• They identify with their town, region and country and, the majority, with Europe also.

• The family plays a vital role for Europeans: they rate it is the most important thing in their lives and also the group they trust most. They also express considerable trust in other close groups like friends, work colleagues and neighbours.

• Europeans attach considerable importance to income, work and free time. Religion and political involvement come further down their list of life priorities.

CONSENSUS

DIVERGENCE

Disparate levels of interpersonal trust -

+

France, Spain, Czech Republic

Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden,

Vision of the past - present - futureMost positive about the past: Italy, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic

Most optimistic about the future: Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden,

Informedness and involvement in cultural and recreational activities -

+

Poland, followed at a distance by Spain and Italy

Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands


49

RELIGION AND ETHICS AMONG EUROPEANS

Countries with less religiosity

Connection with religion

• Religious ceremonies now have more of a social than a strictly religious connotation. Still, the predominant intention is to go on using them to celebrate key life events.

• The role of religion is increasingly circumscribed: citizens do not see it as providing answers for today’s big questions, nor do they necessarily associate it with attributes like living better, tolerance, happiness or honesty.

• Consensus around the need to keep religion separate from politics.

• They do not espouse ethical relativism, but believe that there are clear ethical principles of what is right and what is wrong.• Agreement that there are some values that all cultures should respect however different they may be, and also that no one

has a monopoly on the truth or the right to tell others how to think or live.

• See religion as less relevant in general and in the individual sphere

• They make no automatic link between religion and ethical behaviour

• More flexible in applying ethical principles: they should be applied in the light of the circumstances of the moment

CONSENSUS

Countries with more religiosity

• More positive view of the role of religion in general and its effects on people’s personality traits

• Perception of a direct relationship or overlap between religion and ethics

• Convinced ethical principles should be applied always regardless of the circumstances

- +

Denmark Sweden

Czech RepublicFrance

PolandItaly

SpainGermany

NetherlandsUnited Kingdom

DIVERGENCE


• Believe living as a couple and being a parent are necessary to attain happiness and personal fulfillment

• Attach relatively less importance to tolerance and respect for others as a value to be instilled in children

• Express low acceptance of same-sex marriage and the adoption or conception of children by homosexual couples

• Do not believe that living as a couple and being a parent are necessary to attain happiness and personal fulfillment

• Attach maximum importance to tolerance and respect for others as a value to be instilled in children

• Express high acceptance of same-sex marriage and the adoption or conception of children by homosexual couples

50

Strong attachment to the institution of the family and the continuing vigour of marriage

VIEWS ON THE FAMILY

• Accord the family maximum importance and trust

• Reject the idea that marriage is an outmoded institution

• Unconvinced that living alone allows a person to have a more interesting life

• View sexual relations outside the couple as unacceptable

CONSENSUS

Countries less favourable of new forms of union and parenthood

Countries more favourable of new forms of union and parenthood

DIVERGENCE

Acceptance of new social lifestyles- +

Openness to new forms of union and parenthood, and the dissolution of marriage

• Strong acceptance of living as a couple without being married, divorce and being a lone parent

• Marriage is not seen as a precondition for happiness

• Ample consensus on gender equality in terms of income, work and care of children

PolandItaly

Spain FranceUK

DenmarkSweden

Netherlands

Czech Rep.Germany


51

• Large segments interested and informed through daily reading of the newspaper

• High level of associationism

• Strong connection with the public space via diverse modes of social and political participation

• More closeness and sympathy with political parties

• Medium-high trust in groups and institutions

• Generally content with the state of democracy in their country

• Acceptance of the welfare state but also the market economy, and of income differences deriving from individual effort and merit

Countries with a high regard for the public sphere Countries more distant from the public sphere

• High level of interest, but low informedness

• Low level of associationism

• Significant (though minority) segments moved to action by the current crisis

• Greater distance from political insitutions and scant trust in the political class

• Medium-low trust in groups and institutions

• General discontent with the state of democracy in their country

• Widespread acceptance of the welfare state; also of an interventionist state with responsibilities beyond the remit of a welfare state (regulation of wages, prices, etc.)

Denmark Sweden

Netherlands

ItalySpain

Germany stands close to this group of countries but exhibits less connection with the public space

France stands close to this group of countries but exhibits more connection with the public space

Although some countries share traits with both groups, the

countries most characteristic of each model are:

Europeans believe the state should play a highly active role in the control of the economy and express widespread support for the welfare state model. However, politicians fall below the trust threshold in all the countries surveyed (*).

COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUES IN THE PUBLIC SPHERECONSENSUS

The political culture of the ten European countries corresponds broadly to a dualist model

(*) For a detailed study of Europeans’ public values, see:….


52

COUNTRY PROFILE: VALUES IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPHERE

Countries can be grouped in the following manner according to egún los rasgos característicos en términos de valores en la esfera pública y privada, es posible agrupar a los países del siguiente modo:

Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands•Strong connection with the public sphere•Active profile: greater participation in cultural and recreational activities•High level of both institutional and interpersonal trust•Relatively low level of religiosity•More flexible in their views on how ethical principles should be applied. They look favourably on new kinds of union and are highly accepting of practices subject to moral controversy

Italy, Poland•Weak connectedness with the public sphere•Low level of informedness and participation in recreational and cultural activities (especially Poland)•High levels of religiosity and religious membership•A more universalist stance regarding the application of ethical principles of what is right and wrong•Look less favourably on new kinds of union•Least accepting of the practices causing moral controversy inquired about in the survey

Spain•Differently positioned according to whether the values considered pertain to the public or private sphere•In the low part of the table as regards connection with the public space: medium-low participation and institutional trust. Also near to the bottom in terms of attendance at cultural and recreational events•However, Spain stands apart from Catholic countries included in this study (Italy and Poland) in citizens’ low level of religiosity and more flexible outlook on new social lifestyles•A large majority state tolerance and respect for others as the most important quality to be instilled in children. After the Danes, Swedes and Dutch, Spaniards are the most accepting of new forms of union and parenthood.

Czech Republic•Low degree of connection with the public sphere and of institutional and interpersonal trust•Combines low religiosity with medium-low acceptance of practices causing moral controversy

France•Medum-high participation in public affairs and cultural and recreational events•Low level of institutional and interpersonal trust•Low level of religiosity and medium-high acceptance of the social practices considered

United Kingdom, Germany•Countries with a medium connection with the public sphere and medium levels of institutional trust (higher in Germany than the United Kingdom)•Medium-low religiosity and medium acceptance of practices subject to moral controversy.


53

TECHNICAL NOTES

Geographical scope of the study: The Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Universe: in each country, the general population aged 18 or over.

Method: administered face-to-face interview in respondents' homes via CAPI (computer-assisted personal interviewing).

Sample size and distribution: 1,500 cases in each of the 10 countries. Multistage sample distribution stratified by region (NUTS classification or equivalent)/size of habitat, with primary units selected at random in each municipality. Selection of individual respondents by the last birthday rule.

Sampling error: The estimated sampling error is +/- 2.6% in each country for a confidence level of 95.5% and in the worst-case scenario (p=q=0.5).

Survey period: November 2012 to January 2013.

Weighting: Total European results are arrived at by weighting each country’s data according to its population weight in the sample of European countries surveyed.

Fieldwork: Fieldwork coordinated by IPSOS.

Study design and analysis: BBVA Foundation Department of Social Studies and Public Opinion.


Documents

11 BBVA Foundation International Study Values and Worldviews Personal life: lifestyles, values and beliefs June, 2013 Department of Social Studies and