What Explains the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy? The Role of Household Decision-Making

What Explains the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy? The Role of Household Decision-Making PDF Author: Raquel Fonseca
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 21

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Book Description
Research has shown that financial illiteracy is widespread among women, and that many women are unfamiliar with even the most basic economic concepts needed to make saving and investment decisions. This gender gap in financial literacy may contribute to the differential levels of retirement preparedness between women and men. However, little is known about the determinants of the gender gap in financial literacy. Using data from the RAND American Life Panel, the authors examined potential explanations for the gender gap including the role of marriage and division of financial decision-making among couples. They found that differences in the demographic characteristics of women and men did not explain much of the financial literacy gap, whereas education, income and current and past marital status reduced the observed gap by around 25%. Oaxaca decomposition revealed the great majority of the gender gap in financial literacy is not explained by differences in covariates - characteristics of men and women - but due to coefficients, or how literacy is produced. They did not find strong support for specialization in financial decision-making within couples by gender. Instead, they found that decision-making within couples was sensitive to the relative education level of spouses for both women and men.

What Explains the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy? The Role of Household Decision-Making

What Explains the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy? The Role of Household Decision-Making PDF Author: Raquel Fonseca
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 21

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Book Description
Research has shown that financial illiteracy is widespread among women, and that many women are unfamiliar with even the most basic economic concepts needed to make saving and investment decisions. This gender gap in financial literacy may contribute to the differential levels of retirement preparedness between women and men. However, little is known about the determinants of the gender gap in financial literacy. Using data from the RAND American Life Panel, the authors examined potential explanations for the gender gap including the role of marriage and division of financial decision-making among couples. They found that differences in the demographic characteristics of women and men did not explain much of the financial literacy gap, whereas education, income and current and past marital status reduced the observed gap by around 25%. Oaxaca decomposition revealed the great majority of the gender gap in financial literacy is not explained by differences in covariates - characteristics of men and women - but due to coefficients, or how literacy is produced. They did not find strong support for specialization in financial decision-making within couples by gender. Instead, they found that decision-making within couples was sensitive to the relative education level of spouses for both women and men.

Women and Financial Literacy. Its Measurement Method and Outcomes

Women and Financial Literacy. Its Measurement Method and Outcomes PDF Author: Angelina Scholtysik
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3668805067
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
Seminar paper from the year 2014 in the subject Economics - Finance, grade: 1,0, , language: English, abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explain financial literacy, its measurement method and outcomes, particularly with respect to gender. Next, we analyze the gender gap by scrutinizing current research on this topic. Finally, we examine current initiatives providing help to women in need of financial education. Data from different household and health surveys revealed that the level of financial literacy is low worldwide. Particularly regarding the gender effect, this finding is concerning. Women tend to be less sophisticated in financial matters than men, whilst facing more demographic and economic barriers. Despite the effort to measure financial literacy, there is no consensus on the sources of gender differences. This suggests that, although policy makers and economies mount initiatives in order to enhance financial literacy among women around the world, research regarding factors affecting women’s financial education and attitude towards financial literacy is still in its infancy. In addition, to date little evidence is given on their efficacy of those new established financial education programs. In times of economic and demographic change, personal financial literacy is crucial in everyday life decisions and future planning. Since several countries changed their pension schemes from traditional defined benefit pensions to individual- account contribution schemes and financial instruments become more and more complex, individuals have been confronted with decision makings over savings, investments and consumption on their own, bearing the risk of wrong investment choices and bad liquidity management leading to an insecure financial future. Overall and regardless of the country’s economic development and pension scheme, the level of knowledge on financial matter referred to as financial literacy is suggested to be very low around the world.

Financial Literacy and Intra-household Decision Making

Financial Literacy and Intra-household Decision Making PDF Author: Antonia Grohmann
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Research has consistently shown that women's involvement in household decision making positively affects household outcomes such as nutrition and education of children. Is financial literacy a determinant for women to participate in intra-household decision making? Using data on savings groups in Rwanda, we examine this relationship and show that women with higher financial literacy are more involved in financial and expenditure decisions. Instrumental Variable estimations confirm a causal link. For this reason, we perform a decomposition analysis breaking down the gender gap in financial literacy into differences based on observed sociodemographic and psychological characteristics and differences in returns on these characteristics. Our results show high explanatory power by education, happiness, symptoms of depression, and openness, but also suggest that a substantial fraction can be explained by differences in returns. We argue that this results from a strong role of society and culture.

Financial literacy, motivated reasoning, and gender

Financial literacy, motivated reasoning, and gender PDF Author: Thérèse Lind
Publisher: Linköping University Electronic Press
ISBN: 9176850609
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
I wrote this thesis to create a better understanding of how individual characteristics influence our feelings, our behavior and our way of interpreting information. My focus is on financial behavior and financial information, however I also consider a political context. I investigate the (usually) enabling abilities of financial literacy and numeracy. I also consider impediments such as stereotype threat and motivated reasoning, which can prevent people from engaging in certain behaviors or from interpreting information objectively. Both processes stem from valued beliefs and psychological foundations, consequently peoples’ efforts, decisions, and evaluations are based on them. The first essay, “Competence, confidence, and gender: The role of perceived and actual financial literacy in household finance,” broadens our understanding of the benefits of financial competence. I contrast perceived and actual levels of financial literacy, and consider the role of numeracy and cognitive reflective ability. I conclude that perceived and actual levels of financial literacy positively affect behavior and wellbeing; however, perceived financial literacy more so than actual financial literacy. No such effect is observed for numeric ability and cognitive reflection. Furthermore, women are more anxious about financial matters even though they tend to engage more frequently in the considered financial behaviors. The second essay, “Threatening finance? Examining the gender gap in financial literacy,” continues my exploration of the relationship between gender and financial literacy. In a series of studies, I investigate whether the observed gender gap in financial literacy can be identified in nonnumerical contexts, if it can be associated with confidence in financial matters, and if it can be attributed to stereotype threat, which posits that inbuilt prejudices about gender and finance undermine women’s performance of tasks that involve finance. The results show that the observed gender gap in financial literacy is robust even in nonnumerical financial contexts and suggest that a stereotype threat for women in the financial domain might be present. The gender gap in financial literacy could not be attributed to a difference in (displayed) confidence. In the third essay, “Preferences for lump-sum over divided payment structures,” I investigate whether or not people display systematic preferences for lump–sum or divided payment structures and how these preferences differ in gain (benefit) and loss (payment) situations. I investigate what happens when payments belong to a single underlying event, such as when people can choose to pay immediately or in installments. I also examine whether or not individual differences in time preferences, risk preferences, numeracy, and financial literacy are associated with preferences for one payment structure or the other. The aggregate results show a tendency for people to prefer obtaining and paying money in lump sums. I find no systematic indication that the considered individual differences play a role in this type of decision. The fourth essay, “Motivated reasoning when assessing the effect of refugee intake,” inquires into differences in worldview ideology, whether people identify as nationally or globally oriented, hinder them from objectively interpreting information. I use an experiment to find out if people display motivated reasoning when interpreting numerical information about the effects of refugees on the crime rate. Our results show evidence of motivated reasoning along the lines of worldview ideology. However, individuals with higher numeric ability were less likely to engage in motivated reasoning, leading to the conclusion that motivated reasoning is more likely to be driven by feelings and emotional cues than by deliberate analytical processes.

Gender-specific differences in the financial decision-making behaviour

Gender-specific differences in the financial decision-making behaviour PDF Author: Van Anh Hoang
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3668191220
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
Bachelor Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Economics - Finance, grade: 1,7, University of Applied Sciences Trier, course: Finance, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine, whether gender differences in financial behaviour are still evident nowadays. Commonly it is assumed that women tend to be more risk-averse while men are more risky and overconfident in regard to financial topics. These assumptions of gender-differences are investigated in this research. Further this paper explores the gender-based differences in financial literacy as well as the gender disparities in obtaining information. A survey was conducted to gain information about the financial behaviour of undergraduate students from the Trier University of Applied Sciences. Results show that, in this sample, gender does not influence risk-taking behaviour, financial knowledge, or the way of obtaining information but only affects the degree of confidence.

Gender Differences in Intra-household Financial Decision-making

Gender Differences in Intra-household Financial Decision-making PDF Author: Alwina Weckerle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Using data from the 2017 DNB Household Survey, this research focuses on the effect of gender, income and financial literacy on financial decision-making power in Dutch couples. In accordance with the bargaining model, income and financial literacy enhance own decision-making power in financial matters. Male partners have found to have significantly more financial decision-making power than women. However, this effect weakens when taking the interaction of gender and financial literacy into account. This research further investigates how gender and financial decision-making power are related to household ownership of risky assets. Men have found to be significantly more likely than women to be the investor in households. Additionally, when male partners have financial decision-making power, the household is more likely to invest in risky assets, but not on a significant basis.

Women and Financial Education Evidence, Policy Responses and Guidance

Women and Financial Education Evidence, Policy Responses and Guidance PDF Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
ISBN: 9264202730
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
This book provides policy guidance to help policy makers address women's and girls' needs for financial education, and a comprehensive analysis of the current status of knowledge on gender differences in financial literacy and policy responses in terms of financial education for women and girls.

Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth

Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth PDF Author: Raquel Fernández
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513571168
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
This paper considers various dimensions and sources of gender inequality and presents policies and best practices to address these. With women accounting for fifty percent of the global population, inclusive growth can only be achieved if it promotes gender equality. Despite recent progress, gender gaps remain across all stages of life, including before birth, and negatively impact health, education, and economic outcomes for women. The roadmap to gender equality has to rely on legal framework reforms, policies to promote equal access, and efforts to tackle entrenched social norms. These need to be set in the context of arising new trends such as digitalization, climate change, as well as shocks such as pandemics.

Financial Risk Tolerance: A Psychometric Review

Financial Risk Tolerance: A Psychometric Review PDF Author: John E. Grable
Publisher: CFA Institute Research Foundation
ISBN: 1944960201
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
This content provides financial analysts, investment professionals, and financial planners with a review of how financial risk-tolerance tests can and should be evaluated. It begins by clarifying terms related to risk taking and is followed by a broad overview of two important measurement terms: validity and reliability. It concludes with examples for practice.

The Oxford Handbook of Women and the Economy

The Oxford Handbook of Women and the Economy PDF Author: Susan L. Averett
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190878266
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 889

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Book Description
The transformation of women's lives over the past century is among the most significant and far-reaching of social and economic phenomena, affecting not only women but also their partners, children, and indeed nearly every person on the planet. In developed and developing countries alike, women are acquiring more education, marrying later, having fewer children, and spending a far greater amount of their adult lives in the labor force. Yet, because women remain the primary caregivers of children, issues such as work-life balance and the glass ceiling have given rise to critical policy discussions in the developed world. In developing countries, many women lack access to reproductive technology and are often relegated to jobs in the informal sector, where pay is variable and job security is weak. Considerable occupational segregation and stubborn gender pay gaps persist around the world. The Oxford Handbook of Women and the Economy is the first comprehensive collection of scholarly essays to address these issues using the powerful framework of economics. Each chapter, written by an acknowledged expert or team of experts, reviews the key trends, surveys the relevant economic theory, and summarizes and critiques the empirical research literature. By providing a clear-eyed view of what we know, what we do not know, and what the critical unanswered questions are, this Handbook provides an invaluable and wide-ranging examination of the many changes that have occurred in women's economic lives.