We have grown up in a society that shies away from discussions about money. Women experience this at a disproportionate level, as our culture has told us that it is impolite to talk about finances, income, bills, and other money-related topics.
It’s time to flip the script and bring money into our everyday conversations with our female friends and family members. The only way for women to continue growing their financial knowledge and become more confident when dealing with investments, debt, savings, etc., is to talk about it.
So, let’s start the discussion.
Why Women Don’t Talk About Money
Studies show that a staggering 80% of women have held back from speaking about money with their partners, close friends, and family. Some of the factors contributing to this silence include feeling uncomfortable with the subject (32%), being raised not to discuss finances (27%), or feeling that it is a taboo topic (16%).
Not only have many women been raised by their families to avoid the subject of money, but society has also convinced women that financial conversation topics are too rude and/or direct. This has led to women’s tendency to avoid conversations about money to keep people ‘comfortable’. Even the popular phrase “never ask a woman her age or a man his salary” is evidence of the societal imbalance related to money and gender.
In any case, it’s time for a change. Money shouldn’t be a taboo topic for anyone to speak about, so here are a few ways to begin the conversation.
Talking About Money in Daily Life
Consider the following strategies that can help turn money and financial planning into common and comfortable discussion topics.
1. Gather knowledge
Start by learning. For some women, it’s not societal pressure that prevents them from talking about money, but rather the worry that they don’t have enough knowledge to speak on the subject.
The obvious fix here is to teach yourself about topics that interest you. Watch videos, listen to podcasts in the car, read articles, follow financial news, and talk to knowledgeable friends and family members. The more confidence that one has about a subject, the more they can speak on it (and the more enjoyable it will be).
It is also important to realize that you likely know more than you think you do. Confidence is a huge contributing factor in the financial literacy gap between men and women. In other words, women report knowing less about money than they actually do because they have a lack of confidence in their knowledge.
2. Talk about money casually, and often
Start having discussions with your close friends, your mom, sisters, aunts, and daughters about money. This doesn’t have to be an in-depth conversation about your portfolio performance if you don’t want it to be. Even discussing broader issues such as the gender pay gap, general investment strategies, college savings for kids, and retirement plans is a fantastic way of destigmatizing money.
3. Scheduling financial conversations with your partner
Many couples tend to avoid financial discussions, as they can be uncomfortable or lead to confrontations. Scheduling regular money talks with your partner is not only great for the financial health of a relationship, but it also ensures there is a designated place and time for you to voice your opinions and concerns. Having a platform to talk about your future goals regarding savings, investments, and retirement reinforces confidence in the subject.
Conclusion
Women often avoid speaking about money and personal finance as it’s deemed to be impolite by society. Opening up the floor for women to talk to their friends and family (and everyone else) about money will help women cement a place for themselves in the financial world.