Debunking the Money Myth

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I do hate the general statements such as men make more than women. They are the types of statements prejudiced, discriminatory groups like N.O.W. shout, all the while ignoring that CHOICE is the biggest indicator of income. Women STILL go into the non-well-paid "helping professions" (teaching, nursing, secretarial, etc) more than men and men still dominate the higher paid math and science-centered jobs. But what the article doesn't state (and what is SO important) is that boys are dropping out of high school faster than girls (and there's no attempt to save them as was w/ girls....apparently N.O.W. has no concern:) AND there are more girls than guys enrolled in colleges nationwide. That will impact both jobs and incomes in the not-so-near future. As long as people love what they are doing (for work) and put their children and families FIRST (men and women), it's all good...

FLNonny of FL 2:36PM September 24, 2008

Interesting- so you men out there want a book of your own??

Kimberly Palmer of 3:07PM April 24, 2008

I think the most likely reason for the lack of books directed at men is that authors and publishers alike have preconceptions about target readers. They tend to assume that men don't want to be seen to be weak. Such an insecure man won't be caught dead with self help book about personal finance.

You have likely stumbled onto fresh green grass that is ripe for any finance writer to graze if he risks crossing the abyss of accepted dogma.

Tim 11:35AM April 24, 2008

Good Read. Thanks for sharing it!

Best Wishes,

D4L

Dividends4Life of AL 8:52PM April 22, 2008

Women aren't any better or worse with money than men are, but we do take a different approach to it in many ways. Men tend to be overconfident and overestimate their own abilities and self-worth, whereas women tend to be underconfident and underestimate those things. That difference works its way into investment choices, salary negotiations, and other money matters.

Plus, our society has a longstanding tradition (that we haven't quite overcome) that money matters fall squarely into the men's domain, and for a woman even to be interested in money is a sign of greed. "Women's work" was traditionally unpaid, and even now that most women do have paying jobs, we still get subjected to the message that we should not expect money (at least, not very much money) for the things we do. Boys are more likely to get paid for mowing the lawn than girls are for washing the dishes. Women are encouraged to choose college majors/careers based on what they find fulfilling, and men are encouraged to choose ones that will make them rich. And have you seen those commercials for frozen processed chicken products that "make your job a little easier" even if you don't get "the thanks you deserve"? A woman's "job" is to serve junk food to her son and his friends as they sit on the couch and play video games, without getting so much as a "thank you" in return? Really?

Rant over. But on top of all that, women live longer than men do, on average, so it's doubly important for us to acquire - and hang onto - an adequate nest egg.

Johanna of MD 1:09PM April 18, 2008

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Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

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