Tracking the Elusive Green Women: Sex, Environmentalism, and Feminism in the United States and Europe

Abstract

Ecofeminism is a set of theories variously claiming that, because of bio logical determinism, reproductive and maternal roles, the oppression of patriarchy and women's more holistic spiritual connection to nature, or the alternative perspective that feminism can provide, women are more concerned about the environment than are men. Apart from ecofeminist theory, "green" and liberal political parties and candidates in Western na tions appear also to assume that women view pro-environmentalist poli cies more favorably But can "ecofeminism" be identified in Western mass publics? Analyses of EuroBarometer 37, the 1992 American National Elec tion Study, and the 1990-1993 World Values Study all reject biological contentions in ecofeminism, but do generate evidence for a connection between feminist orientations and support for pro-environmentalist posi tions on the part of both women and men.