Implications of the energy crisis on minorities in southcentral Texas
The purpose of the present research was the examination of the social and psychological correlates of the energy crisis, the analysis of whether the costs of energy force the choice between energy and other goods and services and to assess the survey population's attitude to and knowledge of alternative energy sources. The data source was the minority population in Harris County, Texas. The results of the study indicate that low-income minorities do perceive some disruption in personal or interpersonal functioning that is due to the rising cost of energy. In examining social correlates of the energy crisis seventy-eight percent of those studied felt that their life-styles had been affected by the energy crisis. Most respondents felt worried or upset over the rising costs of energy, perceived tension in their households and were not as satisfied with their life as before the energy crisis. Almost one-half of the respondents reported more family quarrels as a result of rising energy costs. A large percentage of respondents reported consuming less energy in 1981 than in 1974. In terms of energy use patterns many of the respondents did make an effort to reduce energy consumption. Black respondents reported greater conservation efforts than Mexican-American respondents. The data indicates that when individuals are familiar with energy alternatives they are, by and large, willing to use those alternatives. The notable exception was nuclear energy; those respondents familiar with nuclear energy were almost evenly divided on willingness to use nuclear energy.
- Research Organization:
- Prairie View A and M Univ., TX (USA). Center for Energy Affairs
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG01-80MI02503
- OSTI ID:
- 6917666
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MI/02503-T1; ON: DE84011129
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY SHORTAGES
FEDERAL REGION VI
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MINORITY GROUPS
NORTH AMERICA
POPULATIONS
SHORTAGES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
TEXAS
USA