Eestimaalaste moraalsete ja eetiliste hoiakute muutumine 1995–2020
The change in the moral and ethical attitudes of Estonians from 1995 to 2020

Summary/Abstract: This analysis reveals significant changes in Estonians' moral and ethical attitudes over the past 25 years, reflecting societal shifts. While conservatism dominated in the 1990s and early 2000s, recent years have seen a marked move toward liberalism, especially in attitudes toward extramarital relationships, homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia. These trends align with broader European and North American developments. Ethnic Estonians are generally more liberal than other language groups, with their attitudes shaped more by societal and media influences than by cultural or ethnic factors. Religious affiliation remains a key factor in shaping values—those actively involved, particularly in free church or Catholic communities, tend to uphold traditional morals, while less engaged individuals are more susceptible to secular norms. The findings support previous research showing that active participation in religious life strengthens specific moral convictions and virtues. In con- trast, weakened or severed ties to religious communities lead to a drift away from religious practices and values, resulting in a more secular and less morally defined identity.

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