Surpassing Gender Barriers

Would it matter to you if your financial planner was a woman? Most likely it would. Traditionally and culturally, women are known to be risk-aversive, more committed in the long- term and more involved with nurturing rather than providing. Although these aspects do not indicate a lack of ability, it reflects a lack of willingness. Almost all researchers across the globe concur with the risk-aversive theory to explain the lack of aggressive investing by women. Even the temptation of high returns is not enough to lure women into a space of anything that is more than moderate risk -taking. On the contrary, men are more optimistic and confident about their decisions and are hence bigger risk-takers. They would look at a risky venture in terms of the potential benefits, whereas, women would evaluate in terms of the potential costs, thereby, affecting the choices made. Another way to...