In the discourse on the heterogeneity of gender and environmental concern, gender equality awareness can further illuminate the complexity of gender and environmental concern across different cultural backgrounds.
OBJECTIVE:
Differing from prior research, our study focuses on exploring the relationship between different genders, gender equality awareness, and environmental concern, as well as investigating whether gender equality awareness has distinct effects on environmental concern among different genders.
METHODS:
Utilizing data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS), we conducted a theoretical investigation into gender differences in environmental concern. First, we used descriptive statistics to observe the differences between the samples. Secondly, in order to compare the influence of gender equality awareness on different genders, we conducted t-tests on gender subgroups. Subsequently, an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model was employed to examine the effects of gender and gender equality awareness on environmental issues. Finally, gender equality awareness was introduced as a moderating variable to explore its potential interaction with gender and investigate whether a moderation mechanism exists between gender and environmental concern.
RESULTS:
Findings indicate that 1) male respondents in China exhibit greater concern for the environment compared to female respondents; 2) higher levels of gender equality awareness are positively correlated with higher levels of environmental concern; 3) the influence of gender on environmental concern is moderated by the degree of gender equality awareness. Specifically, when gender equality awareness is strengthened, female respondents exhibit a higher degree of environmental concern.
CONCLUSION:
Enhancing gender equality awareness contributes to improving both social gender equality and equitable concern for the environment. The findings could provide insights for similar developing countries like China.
BriegerSASocial identity and environmental concern: The importance of contextual effects, Environ Behav2019;51(7):828–55.
2.
WuC-J, RaghavendraR, GuptaU, AcunB, ArdalaniN, MaengK, et al. Sustainable ai: Environmental implications, challenges and opportunities, Proceedings of Machine Learning and Systems2022;4:795–813.
3.
SheltonDHuman rights and the environment: jurisprudence of human rights bodies, Arizona J Environ Law Policy2002;32:158.
4.
ClaytonSNew ways of thinking about environmentalism: Models of justice in the environmental debate, J Soc Issues2000;56(3):459–74.
5.
MacGregorS No sustainability without justice: A feminist critique of environmental citizenship. Environmental citizenship. 2006:101-26.
6.
WiderbergO, PattbergPInternational cooperative initiatives in global climate governance: Raising the ambition level or delegitimizing the UNFCCC? Glob Policy2015;6(1):45–56.
7.
CoenenJ, BagerS, MeyfroidtP, NewigJ, ChalliesEEnvironmental governance of China’s belt and road initiative, Environmental Policy and Governance2021;31(1):3–17.
8.
LiuN-Y, HsuW-Y, HungC-A, WuP-L, PaiH-CThe effect of gender role orientation on student nurses’ caring behaviour and critical thinking, Int J Nurs Stud2019;89:18–23.
9.
FuentesM, CardenasJP, UrbinaC, VidalG, OlivaresG, LawlerD, et al. Alignment between United Nations Environmental Assembly Guidance and National Research Priorities, Sustainability2023;15(3):2636.
10.
Katz-GerroT, GreenspanI, HandyF, VeredYEnvironmental behavior in three countries: The role of intergenerational transmission and domains of socialization, J Environ Psychol2020;71:101343.
11.
Ottuh PA critique of eco-feminism: An attempt towards environmental solution, International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Environmental Modelling2020;3(4):167–79.
12.
HuangQ, GambleJSocial expectations, gender and job satisfaction: Front-line employees in C hina’s retailsector, Human Resource Management Journal2015;25(3):331–47.
13.
CunninghamC, HillS, ZhangWGender equality and educational leadership in Chinese schools, Power and Education2022;14(1):66–81.
14.
Morales-BañosV, Borrego-BalsalobreFJ, Díaz-SuarezA, López-GullónJMLevels of sustainabilityawareness in Spanish university students of nautical activities asfuture managers of sports and active tourism programmes, Sustainability2023;15(3):2733.
15.
DunlapRE, JonesREEnvironmental concern: Conceptual and measurement issues, Handbook of Environmental Sociology2002;3(6):482–524.
16.
SpaargarenG, MolAPSociology, environment, and modernity: Ecological modernization as a theory of social change, Soc Nat Resour1992;5(4):323–44.
17.
AndrewD, BuchananT, HaneyT Gender differences in environmentalism among students at a Southern university: The impact of gender role attitudes and university experience. Soc Sci J. 2020:1-17.
18.
GoodaleTMultivariate analysis of the impact of gender and college major on student levels of environmental concern and knowledge, International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education2021;11(1):1–12.
19.
BriscoeMD, GivensJE, HazbounSO, KrannichRSAt home, in public, and in between: Gender differences in public, private and transportation pro-environmental behaviors in the US Intermountain West, Environ Sociol2019;5(4):374–92.
20.
JewittSMothering earth? Gender and environmental protection in the Jharkhand, India, J Peasant Stud2000;27(2):94–131.
21.
LiereKDV, DunlapREThe social bases of environmental concern: A review of hypotheses, explanations and empirical evidence, Public Opin Q1980;44(2):181–97.
22.
WiidegrenÖThe new environmental paradigm and personal norms, Environ Behav1998;30(1):75–100.
23.
PollardKMGender differences in autoimmunity associated with exposure to environmental factors, J Autoimmun2012;38(2-3):J177–J86.
24.
LeeJA, HoldenSJUnderstanding the determinants of environmentally conscious behavior, Psychol Mark1999;16(5):373–92.
25.
ArbuthnotJ, LinggSA comparison of French and American environmental behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes 1 2, International Journal of Psychology.1975;10(4):275–81.
26.
HayesBCGender, scientific knowledge, and attitudes toward the environment: A cross-national analysis, Polit Res Q2001;54(3):657–71.
27.
DavidsonDJ, FreudenburgWRGender and environmental risk concerns: A review and analysis of available research, Environ Behav1996;28(3):302–39.
28.
ArcuryTA, ChristiansonEHEnvironmental worldview in response to environmental problems: Kentucky and compared, Environ Behav1990;22(3):387–407.
29.
StaceyJThe new conservative feminism, Feminist Studies1983;9(3):559–83.
30.
MohaiPMen, women, and the environment: An examination of the gender gap in environmental concern and activism, Soc Nat Resour1992;5(1):1–19.
BroughAR, WilkieJE, MaJ, IsaacMS, GalDIs eco-friendly unmanly? The green-feminine stereotype and its effect on sustainable consumption, J Consum Res2016;43(4):567–82.
33.
KlinebergSL, McKeeverM, RothenbachBDemographic predictors of environmental concern: It does make a difference how it’s measured, Soc Sci Q1998)734–53.
34.
TindallDB, DaviesS, MauboulesCActivism and conservation behavior in an environmental movement: The contradictory effects of gender, Soc Nat Resour2003;16(10):909–32.
35.
XiaoC, HongDGender differences in environmental behaviors in China, Popul Environ2010;32:88–104.
36.
DayongH, ChenyangXSociological analysis on gender difference of environmental concern, Sociological Studies2007;2:111–35.
37.
ShenJ, SaijoTReexamining the relations between socio-demographic characteristics and individual environmental concern: Evidence from Shanghai data, J Environ Psychol2008;28(1):42–50.
38.
XiaoC, McCrightAMA test of the biographical availability argument for gender differences in environmental behaviors, Environ Behav2014;46(2):241–63.
39.
HongD, LuCMultilevel analysis of public environmental concern: Based on CGSS dataset, Sociological Studies2011;6:154–70.
40.
CollinsJL Women and the environment: social reproduction and sustainable development. In: Gallin RS, FergusonA (eds.) The Women and International Development Annual. Volume 2. Routledge; 2019. p. 33-58.
41.
DonkorFK, MazumderRK Women and the environment: Southern perspectives and global implications. In: Filho WL, Azul AM, Brandli L, Salvia AL,Wall T (eds.) Gender Equality. Springer Cham; 2021. p. 1118-29.
42.
ZhouY, SunXToward gender sensitivity: Women and climate change policies in China, Int Fem J Polit2020;22(1):127–49.
43.
DietzT, SternPC, GuagnanoGASocial structural and social psychological bases of environmental concern, Environ Behav1998;30(4):450–71.
44.
BogdanV, PopaD-N, Belenesi M, RusL, Scorte C-MGenderDiversity and Business Performance Nexus: A Synoptic Panorama Basedon Bibliometric Network Analysis, Sustainability2023;15(3):1–29.
45.
KimS, KimSComparative studies of environmental attitude and its determinants in three east Asia countries: Korea, Japan, and China, International Review of Public Administration2010;15(1):17–33.
46.
BianY, LiLThe Chinese general social survey -8) sample designs and data evaluation, Chin Sociol Rev2012;45(1):70–97.
47.
ZhangY, SanttilaPSocial status predicts different mating and reproductive success for men and women in China: evidence from the –CGSS data, Behav Ecol Sociobiol2022;76(7):101.
48.
Gonzalez GA Star Trek, the Dominant Social Paradigm, and the Lack of an Environmental Ethos. In: Gonzalez GA (eds) The Politics of Star Trek: Justice,War, and the Future. Palgrave Macmillan New York; 2015. P. 131-43.
49.
DunlapRE, Van Liere KD, MertigAG, JonesRENew trends in measuring environmental attitudes: measuring endorsement of the new ecological paradigm: a revised NEP scale, Journal of Social Issues2000;56(3):425–42.
50.
HongD, FanY, XiaoCRe-examining the measurement quality of the Chinese New Environmental Paradigm (CNEP) scale: an analysis based on the CGSS data, Sociol Stud2014;4:49–72.
51.
WileyS, KirbyCA, RichardsJ, StockfischAEPositive contact with feminist women as a predictor of feminist solidarity, gender privilege awareness, and public and domestic support for gender equality in straight men, Sex Roles2021;85:688–706.
52.
Leal Filho W, KovalevaM, TsaniS, Tîrcă D-M, ShielC, DinisMAP, et al. Promoting gender equality across the sustainable development goals. Environ Dev Sustain. 2022:1-22.
53.
KockF, BerbekovaA, AssafAGUnderstanding and managing the threat of common method bias: Detection, prevention and control, Tour Manag2021;86:104330.
54.
JingS, Feng-XiangX, EducationSO, UniversityTOn the Intermediary Effect of Intellectual Women′s Gender Awareness Upon the Relationship Between Self-efficacy and Retirement Expectation, Journal of Northeastern University(Social Science)2014;16(1):52.
55.
XuQ, SunWDoes financial inclusion promote investment and affect residents’ happiness?— Evidence from China, Front Psychol2022;13:988312.
56.
LuJ, NieJAn empirical study of the impact of female labor participation on their subjective well-being in mainland China: evidence from CGSS data, Asian Education and Development Studies2021;11(3):449–63.
57.
Karaca-MandicP, NortonEC, DowdBInteraction terms in nonlinear models, Health Serv Res2012;47(1pt1):255–74.
58.
TaoC, Yu-ZhenZLogic analysis of rural women’s interest expression action: based on the case study of Louis Island, Journal of Chinese Women’s Studies2016;(5):38–47.
59.
LytteltonT, ZangE, MusickKTelecommuting and gender inequalities in parents’ paid and unpaid work before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal of Marriage and Family2022;84(1):230–49.
60.
AgarwalB The gender and environment debate: lessons from India. In: Arizpe L, Stone MP, Major D, Stone P (eds.) Population and Environment. Routledge; 2019. p. 87-124.
61.
Young ZP Gender and development. In: Steans J, Tepe-Belfrage D (eds.) Handbook on gender in world politics. Edward Elgar Publishing; 2016. p. 378-85.
