Differences by Sex in Support for Nuclear Power

One of the most consistent findings reported in the public opinion literature is that uvomen are more opposed to nuclear power than men. This research uses data from two widely cited Harris surveys on nuclear power which were conducted in 1975 and 1976 to test a number of hypotheses based on competing explanations for the sex difference. The results support the position that it is a greater concern about safety which explains uvomen's lesser support for nuclear power. Compared with men, women are found to believe that nuclear plants are less safe and to evaluate a number of problems of nuclear power as more serious, particularly those involving danger to health and human life. These differences are found to account for the sex difference in support for nuclear power both in general and in the respondents' local communities. Public opinion surveys dealing with nuclear energy have consistently noted pronounced sex differences. Women are less supportive, and more opposed and uncertain than men concerning the further development of the technology. Melber et al., who compiled the results from over 100 local, state, and national surveys on the nuclear power issue, reported that the sex differences were "more clear-cut and consistent than those associated with any of the other demographic classifications" (74). In the 27 surveys they examined that were based on U.S. national probability samples, the mean levels of support for nuclear power were 65 percent for men and 46 percent for women, the mean opposition levels were 21 percent for men and 28 percent for women, and the mean levels of unsure