Changes in Public and Private Environmentally Responsible Behaviors by Gender: Findings from the 1994 and 2010 General Social Survey

Abstract

We examine gender differences in public and private environmentally responsible behaviors ( ERB s) and whether and how these differences changed between 1994 and 2010. We consider how political attitudes and environmental concern influence the relationship between gender and ERB s. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated using the 1994 and 2010 General Social Survey. The study results indicate that women had higher levels of private ERB s than men in 1994 and 2010. Political ideology and environmental concern partially explain gender differences in private ERB s in 1994 and fully explain them in 2010. Men and women have similar levels of public ERB s in 1994; in 2010, men's level of public ERB s is significantly higher than women's, after controlling for political ideology and environmental concern. In addition, there are some gender differences in the effects of political orientation and environmental concern on ERB s. Our study indicates that the relationship between gender and environmentalism is complex and that concern and political orientation should be considered when designing strategies to enhance ERB s.