Warning: The following post may contain some sweeping generalizations.
Let’s take a journey through history. We’ll start at the beginning of time.
Prehistoric security
According to Darwin, male-on-male violence in sexual competition plays a large role in sexual selection. Darwin did recognize female preference, notably in context of physical appearance. Today’s scholars put more emphasis on nuanced female preference than the thinkers of Darwin’s time.
If you were to pursue Darwin’s initial arguments, physical strength and culturally handsome physical traits would have been advantages — especially in any days before humans gained the ability to pass down cultural knowledge.
The Development of Monogamy
In some human cultures, monogamy developed. Studies have revealed that this practice likely comes about in populations where partners are scarce.
Under these circumstances, picking the most physically imposing male may not have been as important. Instead, priority may have been given to men who would reliably provide for the family long-term. This created new long-term relationships with a single mate and a new process for selection of mates in reproduction. A new road to security was paved.
Show Me the Money
Around 5000 BCE, money was introduced to our economies. A new form of providing was born. Hunting, gathering and crafting wasn’t something everyone had to do. Bartering was slowly defenestrated. With the right amount of money, you could buy any good or service you needed. Physical abilities and long-term commitments weren’t the primary reason to choose a mate anymore. How much cash you had became the way you provided, and while that usually came along with a long-term relationship, the money was what got the woman in the door. Because the money meant security for her and her children.
Economic Equality
Fast forward a few thousand years to America in the early 20th century. Women demanded their right to vote as equal citizens for men. The nineteenth amendment opened the door for women to work when many of the men went off to fight World War II. While some went home after the boys returned, some stayed. Some demanded their right to work.
To this day, women fight to gain equal pay to men. We don’t need men to guarantee our security anymore. If we have the drive, we can earn the security-rendering cash ourselves. Or even contribute equally with the men we choose to mate with, for whatever reason we choose to mate. We have that freedom now. To choose whatever reason.
Feminism & Financial Literacy
To me, feminism isn’t about denying everything it is that makes me feminine. It’s about embracing the feminine aspects of myself, and recognizing that although I am feminine, that does not make me inferior to men. It’s about getting the world to recognize those same things.
As a woman–and as so many other women before me–security is of the utmost importance. I want to know I’ll be okay ten years down the road and that my children will be provided for. I am so lucky to live in a time when I have so many opportunities to do that for myself without having to rely on a male partner.
Because so many fought before me, I have the right and ability to get educated about my finances. I have to ability to improve them without dependency on a man. Because they fought, and because I have that ability, I have the responsibility to exercise it.
Financial literacy is important to me because it’s the modern road to security, and unlike many of my female predecessors, it enables me to ensure that security independently should I so choose.
HAPPY FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY! WHY IS FINANCIAL LITERACY IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Preach! I totally agree. I’m married, but I don’t like to rely on my male counterpart at all. Thank goodness for modern times!
That’s the beauty of it; even marriage doesn’t guarantee security in our age of divorce. Or even if he manages his finances poorly (which I know is the exact opposite of the case in your situation,) you’re not doomed to a life of destitution.
I am a little scared because I am a man, but I think you are right on this one. You get to make choices that will affect your future. You don’t have to rely on anyone, but yourself to live strong. You can control your money and do what you want with it. Nice article.
Don’t be scared! Haha. Our ability to be independent doesn’t threaten yours. :p Thanks so much!
“Financial literacy is important to me because it’s the modern road to security, and unlike many of my female predecessors, it enables me to ensure that security independently should I so choose.” You hit the nail on the head with this. I think it’s vital that everyone is financially literate, at least in the basics, so they do not have to rely on anyone but can provide for themselves by making their money work for them.
Absolutely. And that applies to either gender.
Excellent post! I love it!!
You are right, as women we do have many more choices then women did many years ago and we can choose to be independent and provide for ourselves and our own future.
Thank you!
I love this!! Yes, we owe it to our predecessors who got us to this point to be able make choices and create security for ourselves. If you truly want to be independent, you need to be financially literate. Great post! Thank YOU for participating in the carnival. I appreciate our support!
Thank you for hosting it and putting it all together! Really enjoyed it.
Could not have said this better myself! Great post.
Thank you!
I agree 100% with your last paragraph. I’m not married yet or have to provide for someone, but I like my independence, thank you very much.
Absolutely! And single women can provide for themselves quite lucratively.
Usually, when I read PF blog posts I feel like a bit of an outsider. I’m young (23), single and have no dependents. Lots of bloggers focus on financial literacy being important because of their spouses or children, and rightly so. But it’s really great to read a post about financial literacy being important for personal security too. I agree with you 100%. I love that I don’t have to rely on anyone, not even my parents, for my financial independence. Financial literacy is incredibly empowering.
Amen! And thank you. I do write about my fiance and kids on here, but I try to keep it pretty balanced. PF is important for everyone, and if you can’t look out for yourself you’re not going to be able to take care of anyone else, now or in the future.
This was a great post. I hadn’t considered the correlation between financial literacy and security, but it totally makes sense!
Thanks! The are so interdependent.
I believe we all have decisions now to take control of our own lives and our own destiny when it comes to personal finance. As we evolved those changes have allowed women to stand up for what they believe and although the struggle for equality still exists women have a louder voice than ever before. Well written. Mr.CBB
Thank you! And well said!
Financial literacy is important to me because I’m tired of being scared. Scared of emergencies caused by a lack of money and a fear of losing my job.
Such a great point. And I think it ties closely to the quote, “Knowledge is the antidote to fear.” Knowing and exercising that knowledge gives us power and eradicates fear.
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