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Is Female a More Pro-Environmental Gender? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Yong Li

    (School of Marxism, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Bairong Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Orachorn Saechang

    (Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are gender differences in people’s pro-environmental psychology and behaviors in China. An online survey was conducted with the snowball sampling technique, and a sample of 532 Chinese respondents was obtained for the research. This study finds that gender does affect green psychology and behaviors, with females reporting a higher level of environmentalism in China. Specifically, females are more concerned with environmental problems, more supportive of plastic ban policies, more positive towards reducing plastics (reduce), and have stronger intention to bring a reusable bag for shopping (reuse and recycle). Moreover, females use fewer disposable toiletries when checking in a hotel and require less disposable tableware when ordering takeout. This study contributes to the current literature by identifying the relationship between gender and environmentalism in China. Implications for anti-plastic policy design and environmental management are also presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong Li & Bairong Wang & Orachorn Saechang, 2022. "Is Female a More Pro-Environmental Gender? Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8002-:d:852051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bairong Wang & Yuhua Zhao & Yong Li, 2021. "How Do Tougher Plastics Ban Policies Modify People’s Usage of Plastic Bags? A Case Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-8, October.
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