Matt Nisbet points out that there is a massive gender gap in science news interest. You may not be surprised to learn that 70% of those who follow sports news closely are men and that only 30% are women. But I was astonished to read that 71% of those who follow science news closely are men and that only 29% are women1.
Matt doesn't speculate about the cause of the gap. Neither does the Pew Center, and I won't speculate either.2 It is disheartening to learn that the gap is so large. And it isn't very reassuring to learn that the gender gap in health news goes the other way. Only 36% of those who follow health news closely are men and 64% are women.
Matt doesn't speculate about the cause of the gap. Neither does the Pew Center, and I won't speculate either.2 It is disheartening to learn that the gap is so large. And it isn't very reassuring to learn that the gender gap in health news goes the other way. Only 36% of those who follow health news closely are men and 64% are women.
1Data from a 17 August 2008 report from the Pew Center for the People and the Press.
2OK. I can't help myself. Here's a little speculation. As far as I can tell the Pew Center assessed whether survey respondents followed the news very closely by asking them. If that's so, there are two possible explanations for the gap:
- Men may actually follow science news more closely than women.
- Men may report following science news more closely.
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