An alarming statistic emerged from a recent annual money-stress survey.
Nearly three out of four female respondents reported stress, and they are approximately 10% more stressed about finances and 20% more stressed about work-life, home-life, and health compared to men.
I have experienced firsthand the high-stress levels of female clients. Not only do women seem more anxious compared to men, but they also seem to ruminate more about their anxiety over money. I know that I tend to dwell on my concerns at work or at home.
I rarely allow myself to relax without thinking about what needs to be done – even when I’m sitting on the patio enjoying a cup of tea. My head will be spinning with what needs to be done in the garden or what new problem has emerged in my 100-year-old house!
We can find many reasons for women’s higher stress levels. Our lower levels of testosterone – the hormone that gives men more confidence – may be to blame. Higher levels of testosterone have been associated with increased confidence. Additionally, testosterone may influence how individuals perceive opportunities, potentially leading to a more optimistic view of risks and rewards.
Just recently, in a conversation with industry peers, I noticed how much more optimistic the men were about the future when discussing challenges like the impact of AI on the world. Just knowing this difference helps me adjust my optimistic lens at times.
Women also tend to be more risk averse. Often, when counselling couples, I have noticed how the woman can be more realistic about the potential financial risks and can more easily grasp the consequences associated with their lifestyle or financial plan. We must therefore not discard women’s more risk-averse approach. They bring balance.
Women may also form a greater emotional connection to money, viewing it as more than just numbers, but as reflections of personal and familial well-being. The importance of financial security may therefore hold more significance for women.
However, we must not forget that women also have real disadvantages when it comes to money. Lower average earnings, career interruptions and longer life expectancy contribute to real concerns about financial security. Women simply must do more with less money.
Financial education and access to financial planning can go a long way to help women reduce stress levels. Sometimes, simply understanding the numbers can be helpful. However, the lack of female representation in financial services also creates a disconnect for women in accessing financial information and seeking financial advice. Although I am no longer the only female in the room at conferences, women are still underrepresented. Our industry would benefit from leaning into female voices – and not only during Women’s Month- to better engage the feminine half of the population.
I would love to see the worry statistic change. One of our goals for our clients is to report reduced financial stress. It’s a goal for myself, too.
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Kind regards,
Sunél