Environmental Risk Perceptions and the White Male Effect: Pollution Concerns among Deep-South Coastal Residents

Recent research in the United States reveals that although men are more accepting of risk than women, and Whites more accepting of risks than non-whites, more notable patterns lie at the intersection of race and gender. Evidence of the white male effect has been found in both national and local samples. The present study examines the environmental risk perceptions of deep-South coastal residents in counties adjacent to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. These areas are characterized by heavy industrial pollution and significant airborne mercury fallout, resulting in numerous health advisories regarding fish consumption. The analysis supports a growing body of literature that finds, compared to other race-gender groups, white males are more accepting of environmental risks, especially those risks posing a threat to human health and safety. The significance of the white male effect for policy and future applied risk research are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented.

美国近期的研究显示，尽管男性比女性更能接受风险，白人比非白人更能接受风险，但在种族和性别交叉方面存在更显著的模式。在全国性和地方性样本中都发现了白人男性效应的证据。本研究考察了莫比尔湾和墨西哥湾附近各县的深南沿海居民对环境风险的认知。这些地区的特点是工业污染严重，空气中汞沉降显著，导致了许多关于鱼类消费的健康警示。分析结果支持了越来越多的文献观点，即与其他种族 - 性别群体相比，白人男性更能接受环境风险，尤其是那些对人类健康和安全构成威胁的风险。文章讨论了白人男性效应对于政策和未来应用风险研究的重要性，并提出了对未来研究的建议。