The Conversation, Janneke Blijlevens, Angel Zhong, Lauren Gurrieri, "#GirlMaths: a seemingly innocent and fun way to justify expenses that can have serious financial consequences"

siiky

2023/09/13

2023/09/13

2023/09/13

post,sustainability,society

In this case, the term “girl maths” reinforces problematic stereotypes that equate women with consumption, frivolity and extravagant spending. When stereotypes are reinforced within our own social circles, we are more likely to internalise these as part of our identity.

By representing women in a less favourable way, the term operates to both demean and discriminate on a gendered basis. This is heightened by the use of “girl” as opposed to “woman”, which implies someone is childlike or lacking in knowledge or experience. It also begs the question what “boy maths” - set up as something opposing and different - might connote.

Well, I'd believe it if I didn't have the majority of the women I personally know confirming it...

The women I know do like to think they're younger than they actually are, and to be treated like so.

Plus, girl is a common word in english to refer to a woman, it's even endearing, no childish implied (ofc there are contexts and contexts, it's the dictionary meaning of the word after all).

Denomination bias describes this tendency to spend more money when it is denominated in small amounts rather than large amounts. We find it much easier to spend $50 four times than $200 all at once.

TIL