En-gendered fears: femininity and technological risk perception

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Abstract
Historically, risk perception studies have paid little attention to comparative assessments based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion or class. Yet these attri butes are crucial in understanding the local acceptability of risky technologies and activities. This paper uses a feminist analysis to evaluate the efficacy of the psychometric paradigm in distinguishing risk perceptions based on gender. We find some slight differences between the views of women and men, particularly with respect to the distrust, perceived catastrophic potential, and perceived potential for death of 33 technologies and activities. Women in the sample were slightly more pessimistic about technology than men and feared those hazards that are societal in nature (nuclear weapons, CFCS, commercial nuclear power). Though only a few minor differences were found between men and women, this is partially explained by shortcomings in the design of the research instru ment. Sensitizing modifications specific to gender analysis are suggested.