Race, Gender, and Communications in Natural Disasters

Citation:

West, Darrell M., and Marion Orr. 2007. “Race, Gender, and Communications in Natural Disasters.” Policy Studies Journal 35 (4): 569–86.

Authors: Darrell M West, Marion Orr

Abstract:

We examine public attitudes toward vulnerability and evacuation in hurricane natural disasters. Using the results of an opinion survey in a coastal, New England state, we find important differences in how men and women, and Whites and minorities perceive natural disasters. Race, gender, and geographic proximity to the coast affect how vulnerable people believe their residence is to a major hurricane, while government officials and media reporting telling people to evacuate influence evacuation decisions. In order to avoid future breakdowns, governments need to understand the different information processing approaches of various groups of people.

Topics: Environment, Environmental Disasters, Gender, Women, Media, Race Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 2007

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