Are We Women Responsible For Our Own Smaller Earnings? | Baby ...

As an advocate for financial literacy, some might be expecting me to discuss the stock market or share stories of riches gained in real estate or mining, but today?s subject is one that?s personal to me, and which will give you an insight into why five years ago, I started offering support to women who want financial independence.

I have touched on responsibility for women?s lower earning before, including discussing it passionately from my soap-box, but only now am I getting close to discussing the whole kit?n'caboodle. I recognise there?s still more for me to find out and comprehend ? I relish what?s yet to come, because the full picture will assist genuine equality for women in the area of income, as well as helping women generate their own riches, sans guilt and other internal turmoil.

I don?t describe myself as a women?s activist or a feminist, but I do feel us women have been victims too long: too many of us are poor; we take an unjustified portion of the financial hits; frequently make good deficiencies; and often find ourselves saying ?I can?t?. So ? it?s time for us to say enough excuses; enough denials; enough self-blame; and enough justifications!

Many of you reading this will know that management roles are still being given mainly to men, and that women are often in lower status jobs and earning less ? which adds up to retiring poor. Yes, women still do the majority of the family- and child-care, employers can be reluctant to offer flexible working options and discrimination still exists. However, we can take control in certain areas: getting better at negotiating, being more assertive, and feeling confident enough to think that we deserve financial success.

In most cultures, women are conditioned to put others? needs before our own and to think that our primary worth comes through our relationships with others. We are told that this is being ?nice? and that it makes us likeable, or good mothers or spouses. There can be a range of punishments when we step outside the allotted roles.

In general, women have been shown to have an external focus when making decisions, taking account of a whole group of people and surrounding conditions. Whereas men have a tendency to be driven by internal goals and status. So it could be said that women?s strengths can make us potentially better managers and leaders than men! I?m not saying that either one approach is right; for one thing, different approaches lead to diverse outcomes.

It pains me to say it, but we women can be our own worst enemies. We sometimes forget to aid each other in ascending the career ladder or attaining wealth goals. It can be all matey-matey when we?re all in the same boat, but when one of us starts moving upwards, that support can evaporate.

Some women resent others who seem able to transcend all the internal and external barriers, and leave them to sink or swim. In our society, women who really go for it, promoting themselves and gaining influence and power, are often labelled as unfeminine or even bitchy ? while men are lauded for doing the same thing. Given the huge amount of social conditioning, it?s not surprising that small numbers of women decide to do this; it can be a lonely furrow to plough. Men have had several hundred years to hone their business networking skills and many men feel rightly comfortable generating wealth and being open about their success. In my experience, most women do not feel comfortable with these things.

So, we women who want financial success need to step up to the plate and be different. We need to find a way round any fear we might feel and take action anyway. We need to challenge assumptions of what?s ?nice? or ?feminine?, we need to be bold and be willing to celebrate our success.

I say that accepting less pay is not an option ? who?s with me?

80% of women die without a partner around, and 75% of them die in poverty.

Do we want to end this cycle? Then let?s acknowledge our skills, our entitlement and our power ? act on this in your own life today.

I love receiving your feedback ? did I push your buttons? Am I wrong? Add your thoughts below or email me at cb@smartwomensmoney.com. Let?s make the change we want to see.

?Bye for now,

Caroline

Caroline Banhidy is CEO of Smart Womens? Money and a keen advocate for women taking responsibility for the outcomes in their lives, including financial independence. She believes that your relationship with money is a direct reflection of your relationship with yourself, so sort your finances out and the rest will follow!

You can learn more at http://www.smartwomensmoney.com/

Also, get your free copy of ?The 7 Biggest Mistakes Women make with Money and How to Avoid Them? here: http://smartwomensmoney.com/SmartWomensMoney.html

Change your life today. Give meaning to your money and start living the life of your dreams.

Source: http://www.womenfavor.com/women-interests/are-we-women-responsible-for-our-own-smaller-earnings.html

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