Rj. Bord et Re. Oconnor, THE GENDER-GAP IN ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES - THE CASE OF PERCEIVED VULNERABILITY TO RISK, Social science quarterly, 78(4), 1997, pp. 830-840
Objective. Surveys demonstrate somewhat consistent gender differences
in environmental concern, but there is no consensus on reasons for the
se differences. This research makes the case that differences in perce
ived vulnerability to risk explain the gender gap found in environment
al surveys and other, quite distinct, areas of potential risk as well.
Methods. Two national surveys, administered simultaneously and each i
nvolving very different environmental risks (hazardous waste sites and
global warming), are analyzed in terms of gender differences. Results
. In both surveys, in every question that involves reactions to a spec
ific risk, women are more concerned than men. Standard deviations also
are consistently smaller for women. When health-risk perceptions ente
r equations accounting for environmental concerns, however, the gender
gap disappears. Conclusions. Questionnaire items that imply specific
risks tend to produce significant gender differences. These types of s
urvey results can be construed as communication events in which respon
dents who feel vulnerable answer in ways that urge caution on policyma
kers.