A recent survey comparing moral values between Russians and Americans has revealed strikingly similar attitudes toward contraception and premarital sex, despite cultural and political differences between the two nations. Conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM), the study mirrored Gallup’s July U.S. survey, finding broad agreement on key aspects of personal life, including relationships and family planning. Russians and Americans shared near-identical views on contraception, with 90% of Americans and 82% of Russians agreeing it was acceptable, and comparable approval rates for premarital sex, with 68% of Americans and 69% of Russians supporting it. Russians were slightly more permissive regarding children born out of wedlock, with 71% calling it acceptable compared to 67% in the U.S.
However, the survey highlighted stark contrasts in views on issues such as gender transition and same-sex relations. While 64% of Americans viewed same-sex relations as acceptable, only 12% of Russians held the same view, reflecting deeper ideological divides. Russia’s legal restrictions on LGBT organizations and propaganda, enacted since late 2023, likely contributed to this divergence. Attitudes on teenage sex also showed a significant gap, with 41% of Americans considering it acceptable versus just 14% of Russians, although U.S. opinions were more divided, with 51% rejecting it.
Researchers noted that Russian society appears more inclined to overlook personal weaknesses like infidelity, with 16% of Russians considering extramarital affairs acceptable compared to 8% of Americans. Russians were also less accepting of practices like polygamy and suicide, with 21% of Americans supporting polygamy versus 11% of Russians, and 7% of Russians approving of suicide compared to 21% of Americans. These findings suggest a growing trend toward individualization in both societies, where personal choices in relationships and family life are increasingly seen as private matters. Nevertheless, the survey underscores the persistent cultural and ideological differences that shape moral values, particularly around issues of sexual behavior and gender identity.
Overall, the study provides insight into the evolving dynamics of moral values in both Russia and the U.S., revealing both convergence and divergence in perspectives. While both nations show a tendency toward greater personal freedom in private life, their differing approaches to social norms and sexual behavior highlight broader ideological and political divides. As societal attitudes continue to shift, the survey offers a snapshot of the complex interplay between individual choice and collective values in shaping contemporary moral frameworks.