Extra blog post 2 / posted by SoJeong Yeon (연소정)

World Values Survey Data Analysis

 

In last class, we learned about World Values Survey(WVS) data analysis. During class, we saw some graphs of surveys of Korean society and world society, and debated that result and reason. Also We personally had few times to search some other result of WVS. There were some interesting and surprising graphs, and this time I'll post my own analysis about the interesting graphs in the survey, 'homosexuals'. The question and result are as follows.

 

Q. Would not like to have as neighbors: Homosexuals?

World Values Survey Wave: 2010-2014

   

I went to WVS website and chose year, countries and question. I chose 6 countries including China, South Korea, Netherland, Poland, Sweden, and United States. And I checked out two result at different times.

In first gragh(2010-2014), the percentage of 'Mentioned' in South Korea was about 80% and highest among 6 nations, and China was ranked second. Most people of two countries both would not like to have homosexuals as neighbors. On the other hand, the percentages of 'Not mentioned' in Swenden, Netherland and United States were higher than those of other countries. It shows they don't care that their neighbors are homosexuals or not. It also means that many people of those three countries are in a position to accept homosexuality. To know the reason, I searched other data and resources. I could figure out one of the reasons from institutional aspect and social system.

Netherland was the first nation in the world which has legalized homosexual marriage in 2001. Swenden has also legalized homosexuality and homosexual marriage in 2009 and U.S. in 2015. But South Korea and China still prohibit homosexual marriage by law. It is likely that people of those two countries think homosexual neighbor is stranger and criminal. As you know, the system and institution could affect a person's perception.

 

World Values Survey Wave: 2005-2009

 

But the perception of homosexuality in South Korea(2010-2014) has improved than before. Looking at second graph(2005-2009), we can see that the result was changing with time. In the past, the percentage of 'Mentioned' in South Korea was more higher, about 88%. The percentage of 'Mentioned' in China was about 70%. It was 20% more higher than now.

Then, how could the animosity of homosexuality in South Korea decrease although South Korea still ban homosexual marriage by law? One of the reasons is that Korean movies and TV programs which are featured by a homosexual and homosexuality were increasing than before. According global wave, such material became a issue which we have to think about. We became to come across more a homosexual and homosexuality in movies and popular culture and there are less people opposing homosexuality. I think we could be more accepting a homosexual as our neighbor.

 

 

Source: http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality