Last week we gave you a run-down of the major learnings from our survey about women and their relationship with money in India. One of the striking themes from the survey was how more than 20% of women said they do not talk about finances with their family. Some women even shared that they don’t have full access to their own money.
Why does this happen?
There is a taboo associated with families talking about money in India. In a patriarchal society, the man is the bread winner and is considered the sole decision maker of all finances. The double standard comes in when families don’t shy away from displaying wealth in marriages through dowry but it is still assumed that a woman should be “protected” from the burden of finances because “a man knows better”.
Secondly, if we dig deeper into these statistics of women who answered not having discussions with their families, we see majority being home makers.
How can we change that?
If you are a homemaker—or know someone who is—start by recognizing that you are fully
capable of engaging in financial matters. Homemaking is one of the most undervalued forms of work, even though it demands a wide range of skills. From budgeting for the household to negotiating with family members or house help, homemakers regularly demonstrate financial acumen. They also develop soft skills like empathy, accountability, and time management in ways formal environments cannot teach. This realization is crucial. Society may condition us to believe that financial expertise comes only from formal education or corporate settings, but homemakers already possess a wealth of relevant experience.
1. Approach informally
You can start approaching this topic informally, easing into the conversation with your partner/family members by asking open ended questions around taxes, retirement planning, list of family’s assets; liabilities or some other specific goal that is relevant to you. Open ended questions in the beginning will give you more control over the conversation as you can decide the direction it takes based on the responses you get.
2. Make it formal if needed
If you’re comfortable addressing a financial topic directly, set up a time to have a formal discussion with your partner or family members. Women’s financial concerns are often dismissed with phrases like, “You don’t understand” or “I’m handling it; this is not your place.” Therefore, this makes it essential to assert the importance of your involvement. If you feel unsure about your financial knowledge, remember: the only way to improve is to start the conversation. Each discussion will build your confidence and equip you with the information needed to form your own opinions.
Why this is important?
Women are often called “gold diggers”, or “money minded” for making decisions around financial security when traditionally most women are never included in financial discussions in the first place that could help them with the knowledge. It is not impolite to talk about money, your family’s financial security, in fact it is one of the most empowering things you’ll do knowing how you can plan your future accordingly. There are countless resources available—books, podcasts, news articles, and even supportive people in your circle—to help you build financial literacy. However, the first and most important step is believing in your own capability and just begin. Written by Shambhavi Gupta
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