Gender Differences in Pro-EnvironmentalBehavioral Intentions, Environmental Values,Tolerance of Environmental Protection Cost,and Confidence in Citizen Participationin Environmental Policies During the COVID-19Pandemic in Taiwan
Yun‐Hsiang Tien, Jingchi Huang
Abstract
The present study compared the two genders in regard to Taiwan residents’ attitudes on their proenvironmental behavior intentions and other influencing factors related to environmental protection. Data were taken from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS) of 2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple regression models were constructed with pro-environmental behavioral intentions as the dependent variable and demographics and other key factors related to environmental protection attitudes as independent variables to compare the two genders. Women had significantly stronger pro-environmental behavioral intentions and environmental values than men. By contrast, men were more willing to pay much higher taxes to protect the environment, but less willing to reduce living standards. Men were significantly more confident in the availability of opportunities for the general public to influence environmental policies, but women were significantly more confident in the ability of citizens to propose constructive suggestions on environmental protection policies. The present study examined and demonstrated the gender differences in regard to pro-environmental behavioral intentions and environmental protection-related factors among Taiwanese citizens. The study’s findings provide insight into how to provide Taiwanese citizens of different genders with proper and targeted attitudes and behaviors from the perspective of environmental protection.