Girl Math: A Closer Look at the Toxic Stereotype and Its Damaging Effects

Introduction

In recent years, “girl math” has emerged as a seemingly humorous term on social media, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women’s mathematical abilities and financial acumen. A critical examination of this trend reveals its toxicity and the need to challenge it.

Understanding ‘Girl Math’: Breaking Down the Concept

“Girl math” is a purported approach to assessing the cost of an item by dividing its price by the frequency of its use. According to this logic, the lower the cost per use, the more economical the purchase. This method justifies buying an item by breaking down its total cost into smaller, more manageable payments.

Unveiling the Economic Principles Behind ‘Girl Math’

“Girl math” claims to combine three economic principles: cost per wear, sunk cost, and prospective cost.

Cost per Wear:

Cost per wear is a basic concept that divides the purchase price of an item by the number of times it will be worn or used.

Sunk Cost:

Sunk cost refers to money already spent and cannot be recovered. “Girl math” dictates that this money should not be considered when making future financial decisions.

Prospective Cost:

Prospective cost refers to potential future costs that can be avoided by taking action in the present.

The Toxicity of ‘Girl Math’: Reinforcing Harmful Stereotypes

The stereotype perpetuated by “girl math” is not new. It echoes long-standing tropes of “Valley girls,” “dumb blondes,” and “airheads.” This stereotype is harmful and toxic as it portrays girls as lacking intelligence and financial savvy. It undermines their self-confidence and can lead to underestimation of their mathematical abilities by parents and teachers. As a result, girls may receive less attention and support in math classes compared to their male counterparts, contributing to a “boys’ club” that excludes girls from STEM fields, crucial for the future job market.

Studies show that even male students who are not academically successful are more likely to major in STEM fields than female students with similar achievement levels. This disparity highlights the impact of harmful stereotypes on girls’ educational and career opportunities.

Challenging the Myth: Women’s Financial Acumen and Investment Performance

The perception that women are bad with money is unfounded and contradicted by evidence. A Fidelity survey revealed that only 9% of women believe they can outperform men in handling investments. However, research consistently shows that women often outperform men in investing.

A Wells Fargo study in 2023 found that women take less risk than men, yet they still achieve higher risk-adjusted returns over time. Women are also more forward-thinking and less impulsive than men when investing, focusing on steady, lower-risk returns rather than quick gains.

Moreover, women are more likely to consider a company’s social mission when making investment decisions. Studies have shown that almost half of women rate a company’s social mission as extremely or very important to them, compared with just 29% of men.

Conclusion: Dismantling ‘Girl Math’ and Empowering Women

The harmful stereotype of “girl math” perpetuates outdated and inaccurate notions about women’s mathematical abilities and financial acumen. It is essential to challenge and dismantle this stereotype, empowering women to pursue STEM fields, take control of their finances, and achieve success in all areas of life. Women should be encouraged to embrace their financial power and invest in their future, recognizing their strengths and unique perspectives as investors.