What Is a Risk Society?
A "risk society" is one where modern development creates new, global risks.
These risks often result from technology, industrialisation, and modern lifestyles.
Unlike the past, today’s risks (like nuclear disasters or climate change) are man-made and not just natural.
Society now focuses more on managing risks than just creating wealth.
Eg: Chernobyl, Fukushima, COVID-19 — all show how progress can bring unexpected dangers.
Stages of Modernity
Traditional Society: Risks came from nature (e.g., famines, floods), and people used customs to cope.
Industrial Society: Brought economic growth and technology, but also pollution and resource depletion.
Risk Society (Today): Risks are now global and caused by modern systems themselves, like climate change or pandemics.
Natural vs. Manufactured Risks
Natural Risks: Earthquakes, floods — arise from nature and often stay local.
Manufactured Risks: Created by humans — nuclear leaks, pandemics, pollution — harder to predict and often global.
Example: Burning fossil fuels causes climate change, which then increases disasters like droughts or storms.
Gender and Risk
Women often face higher risks during disasters due to caregiving roles and limited resources.
In many poor regions, women collect water and cook with fuels that harm their health.
They may eat less than men and have less access to healthcare and money.
In India, over 50% of women are anaemic — showing how health risks are unequally shared.
Economic and Social Inequality
Women usually earn less, own less property, and have less control over finances.
When disasters strike, women recover slower because they have fewer safety nets.
Their caregiving roles are vital but undervalued, making them more vulnerable in a risk society.
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