There's a gender divide on nuclear power, but it doesn't mean what you think it means

[kristopher]

There's a gender divide on nuclear power, but it doesn't mean what you think it means
David Roberts on May 27, 2015

<snip>
Is it because women know less about nuclear?

<snip>
Is it because women are more liberal or environmentally conscious?

<snip>
Is it because women assess risk differently?

<snip>
Is it because white men assess risk differently?

<snip>
Is it because conservative white men assess risk differently?

<snip>
What other risks do conservative white men assess differently?

<snip>
So what are you saying?


http://www.vox.com/2015/5/27/8665401/nuclear-power-gender

[geek tragedy]

1. i predict responses from people who make the mistake of

not reading the article to the end

[bananas]

3. This is an excellent article which must be read in full. nt

[FBaggins]

6. And I predict responses by those who made the same mistake as the author

and didn't actually read the survey results themselves.

Total support/oppose nuclear power among
African Americans = 50/32
Those who voted for Democrats in the last election - 56/32
Ideology liberal - 53/37

The trick that the author is making here is that he's focusing on the question that asks if people want to increase the amount of nuclear power in the country. But even on that question, liberals support it by 50/39, there IS increasing support with increased education, and African Americans support by 44/36. Democratic voters in general supported the increase by 51/36. The only voting demographic that didn't support the increase were those who "didn't vote".

Also - The larger (relative) gender gap in "don't know/ no opinion" undermines the spin that it's just a difference in assessment of risk.

[rock]

2. OK, I'll bite. What do I think it means?

I'm anxious to hear the answer.

[bananas]

4. It depends on your demographic.

Don't be afraid, read the article.

[rock]

5. Does anyone ever say to you "One of us is bananas?"

I had read the article, and at your suggestion re-read it. Both times I have come away unenlightened. Now do the stats tell me anything about the women and men in the target population or not? I had the preconception that it did. Thanks.