I often play both, but I prefer straight bets or single bets, which are more profitable. While the odds aren't huge, at least we can slowly build our profits and not worry if one of our chosen matches loses, as we still profit from the others. Parlay bets, on the other hand, are a bit frustrating because if one match loses, I lose everything. Straight bets certainly have a lower risk than parlays.
That is one disadvantage of parlay bets. If the most of your bets have won, it only takes you 1 lose for you to lose that potential profit from all of those wins.
The risk is lesser with single/straight bets and I agree with you, that's why it is what I like to be in because not all of the bets that we make should just be voided because of one lose.
But some bettors do like parlay bets actually because with the small amount that they'll put in there, increases the odds that they'll make if they hit all of them.