| Table 3.3 shows that cost remains a more
salient barrier for women with 39 per cent (36 per cent for men), and
is the main reason for this group not having access to the Internet from
home. This minor yet significant gap persists from earlier soundings in
1997 and 1999. Conversely, a larger proportion of men (compared with women
with no home Internet access) identify lack of need as the main barrier
to accessing the Internet in the 1997, 1999 and 2000 surveys.
Table 3.3
NEAR and FAR users
Main Reasons for the lack of Internet Access from Home
| SEX |
Cost |
Interest |
Need |
| 1997 |
| Men |
27% |
29% |
45% |
| Women |
28% |
31% |
42% |
| Total |
27% |
30% |
43% |
| 1999 |
| Men |
39% |
32% |
29% |
| Women |
45% |
33% |
22% |
| Total |
42% |
33% |
25% |
| 2000 |
| Men |
36% |
31% |
33% |
| Women |
39% |
29% |
31% |
| Total |
38% |
30% |
32% |
|