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.