Recent studies suggest that a scarcity of women can actually cause men’s finances to suffer. The study involved showing men newspaper articles about the ratio of women to men in an area and then asking them to respond regarding how much they would borrow on credit cards and save each month. Surprisingly, the study revealed a correlation, as men in a town with fewer women reported a tendency to borrow or spend more and put less into savings accounts. Real-life statistics also seem to confirm these findings.
Are Women to Blame?
One possible explanation for the results is that men spend more to attract females when the number of females around decreases. After all, when there are fewer women, there’s more competition for the available ones and one way in which men compete in this day and age (when it’s no longer considered cool to have duels or bare-knuckle brawls) is to show off their wealth.
This philosophy is, in theory, supported by evidence from studies indicating that women expect men to spend more on them for dinners and engagement rings in towns where women outnumber men.
Another Explanation
One option is that perhaps without the calming influence of a wife around to nix the big screen TV, recliner and beer purchases, men might be more likely to indulge their bachelor sides. Sure, it’s a stereotypical explanation, but saying men spend more just to impress women is too, so why not twist the explanation a bit in favor of the female?
Regardless of the reasons men overspend more in towns without women, simply accepting this as a fact is a dangerous thing. Instead, everyone, both men and women, should take responsibility for their finances and make the right choices based on what is best for them and their future. This means saving an appropriate amount, spending an appropriate amount, establishing a budget and making spending and saving choices in light of the big picture.
Written by Louise on behalf of MoneySupermarket, the UK price comparison site.
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