Is Financial Education for Women Sexist?

Do you think that financial education for women should exist? I would love to hear an honest answer about your thoughts on this.

Why am I asking this question when I am clearly invested in Financial Woman at this point? I recently presented my business model to a group of successful Austin business women. A couple of the women suggested that it was almost inappropriate to offer financial education for women exclusively, especially with “pretty things” on it.

On the other hand, I have received wonderful feedback from so many of you about the colorful wealth art handouts I have created that support my belief that personal finances can not only be fun, but it can also include some artsy handouts. One financial advisor at the Austin Women’s Conference and Show came back to my booth to hug my neck because she liked the Money Flow Wealth Art Chart so much. (I’m still touched about that.)

Here are my thoughts…When it comes to a position, absolutely, and of course, the best person for the job wins. But let’s face it, Nordstrom’s has separate women’s and men’s departments for a reason; as a general rule, women like things that are visually appealing, or pretty, and most men generally like things that are not, unless they are on a woman, a piece of art work or part of the scenery.

Why can this paradigm not apply to a website that focuses on financial education for women?

Many women birth babies, men don’t. Women were the original gatherers, and men were the hunters. And it seems that we still are the gatherers, since studies consistently reveal that women control more spending than men. (My research ran across this Wall Street Journal article which questions the often quoted 80% + figure, but nevertheless, still supports that women are the shoppers.)

Additionally, studies show that men and women process information differently. This relates to everything from education to decision making. I love presenting information in a way that women naturally relate in my financial education courses and articles.

Let’s acknowledge and honor our differences, and even celebrate them.

Would we be offended if there was a “men’s only” financial education website? Probably. Perhaps we are making up for the time when women left the room when the men folk had money conversations, not too terribly long ago. I would love your thoughts. Let’s own it, but in a way that’s appealing.

In the meantime, I’ll be offering financial education for women!