Money, Meaning, and Careers

Money, Meaning, and Careers: Why Men and Women See Wealth Differently

What is money? According to the Webster's Dictionary, money is a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment. We utilize some form of money each day, in which it allows us to purchase our wants and needs in order to survive. However, money is more than just a means of survival, it’s a symbol, a status, and often, a source of identity. But the way men and women define and interact with money is fundamentally different, and it affects everything from career choices to workplace confidence.

From an early age, men are taught to understand money which often aids in leading them to be conditioned to view money as a tool for power and status. It’s about earning, accumulating, and leveraging a vast amount of wealth for influence. For generations financial success has been tied to masculinity and power, creating the narrative that men are expected to be providers. This translates into bold salary negotiations, investment risks, and an almost instinctive pursuit of higher financial rewards in their careers.

Women, on the other hand, tend to see money through the lens of security, freedom, and responsibility. As women many of us are taught to save, be careful, and prioritize financial stability over aggressive wealth-building. The messaging we receive often leans toward managing household budgets rather than chasing investment opportunities. Even in professional settings, women are more likely to accept the salary they’re offered rather than demand more, fearing that they’ll come across as difficult or ungrateful. 

Although this is considered the norm in today's society, the divide doesn’t just exist in personal finance, it plays out in the workplace in real and frustrating ways. Throughout my career I’ve seen highly qualified women hesitate to ask for raises, me being one of them, while their male counterparts confidently push for higher pay, even with similar or lesser credentials. The ingrained fear of being perceived as too aggressive, too demanding, or even replaceable holds many women back from financial advancement. 

Something I’ve also noticed while preparing annual taxes for various small companies is how this difference also impacts entrepreneurship. As a small business owner there will be a time for expansion creating the need to pitch to investors or to the major banks. When this time comes men are more likely to seek large-scale funding and take financial risks, while women often bootstrap their businesses, hesitant to take on too much debt or rely on external investors. This cautious approach can be detrimental to business growth, even when the ideas and execution are just as strong.

The important question is how do we bridge this gap? For women, it starts with shifting the mindset around money from security to empowerment. Money is not just something to safeguard, it needs to be spent. It needs to be utilized as a tool to build, invest, and expand. Women need to learn and be encouraged to negotiate higher pay, seek financial education, and step into wealth-building opportunities. These are crucial steps toward building financial equity.

For men, the challenge is recognizing that financial success should not be the sole measure of worth. Emotional intelligence, financial wellness, and work-life balance are just as important as income and power. The societal pressure to "always earn more" can lead to burnout, stress, and financial decisions made out of ego rather than strategy. What is the point of working so hard to earn money to not be able to enjoy it.

Understanding these differences doesn’t just help us navigate our own careers, it allows us to support each other. If we want true financial and professional equality, both men and women need to rethink the meaning of money. It’s not just about earning it’s about knowing our value and making financial choices that reflect our worth.

Let’s stop letting outdated beliefs shape our financial futures. Whether you’re negotiating a raise, starting a business, or rethinking your relationship with money, the first step is recognizing that financial empowerment is for everyone.