Young people and free speech

By THE DATA TEAM

YOUNG people have always been more idealistic than their elders, and more liberal too. In the 1960s baby-boomers spearheaded the social revolution that liberalised values across Western countries. What were then fringe issues, such as equality for women and racial minorities, are now social norms in most rich countries. And even in places where they are not, young people espouse such values. However, as a new survey reveals, there is one area where young people’s views are not so progressive: free speech.

Overall, the poll conducted by Populus, a research firm, on behalf of the Varkey Foundation, an educational charity, shows that among young people there is broad support for expanding rights to historically marginalised minority groups. In all of the 18 countries surveyed, a majority of 18- to 21-year-olds agreed that there should be equality between the sexes and rights for transgender people. In the United States, three-quarters of respondents are in favour of transgender rights. The young are similarly supportive in India, which introduced a law recognising rights for a “third gender” in 2014.

Even when equal treatment is not enshrined in law, young people tend to support it. More than half of youngsters in 15 countries want safe and legal abortion—even in places where the procedure is currently illegal, such as South Korea. Similarly, respondents in most countries are in favour of same-sex marriage. This pattern includes India, where homosexuality is a crime.

However, there is one right that young people are less keen on extending to others: the right to say what you want. Overall, fewer than half of those polled agreed that people should be allowed to express non-violent opinions even if they offend minorities. In Britain and Germany, for instance, only 46% and 48% did.

The right to free speech is not absolute, as anyone who shouts “fire” in a crowded theatre will soon discover. At the same time, the recent polling data bolster the view that today′s youth are embracing a right not to be offended, which threatens to squelch necessary debate. Time will tell whether this group starts to dedicate itself to winning arguments rather than to preventing them from occurring.