Are women on average more materialistic than men and if so why?

Answer 1

I think women are more materialistic becuz women are always competing against one another.

Answer 2

In which culture? As a social construction, gender changes from place to place, and even over time.

I'm a gender researcher and even i couldn't tell you the answer to this one.

I think it is because our understanding of gender differs. I live in a world where there are far more than just two genders, and i also live with the realization that there are over 30 sexes (speaking anatomy and/or chromosomes)

... so, there are several different perspectives and angles you could be asking this question from.

If they are more materialistic, then it would be because society has approved and perpetuated that image at this time for woman-gender.

If you asked me if at any time this were true, if it had always been true, i would tell you no. and if you asked if it would always be true afterwords, i would say no. gender changes.

I run a gender education community online. If you would like to check it out feel free to follow the links below. ^_^

Answer 3

Women may or may not be more materialistic than man. They may appear as if they are, though, because they are usually the ones who have to worry about "the big picture" when it comes to their family (and not just "their little selves" the way many men do even when they have children).

A man may go out and buy himself a snow-blower for a few thousand dollars. He may not shop again for a good long time.

A woman with a family is probably out shopping a good part of her time - buying stuff for the children, stuff that she believes will make the home more home-y and thus more normal for the family, she may buy books or toys for the children to help their development, she may buy a new dining room tablecloth to make Thanksgiving Dinner nicer for everyone. She may buy herself make-up because its pretty much understood that women are expected to look cared for. She may be the one who buys gifts when its anyone's birthday (including her in-laws because she knows how much they give her family and wants to do something nice for them).

She may be the one to buy the Christmas decorations and flowers in order to put together some Christmas atmosphere for the family and guests. She may be the one to charge a prom gown for her daughter because all the other girls get new prom gowns, and her daughter is such a decent girl she doesn't think this particular daughter should do without.

Women want/need/are expected to look nice whether or not they work. If they work they need outfits to work in and shoes that go well with each outfit. They need clothing that's right for each season, and so do all of their children and their husband (if they have one).

Women are out there appearing materialistic, alright; but if anyone seriously analyzed what most "regular" women (not super-stars) buy and why it would become clear that just about all of it is related to either things that are necessary, things for their children's wellbeing and educational and emotional development; and providing a normal, friendly, well kept, attractive home that will make the children feel as if they have a nice childhood and a nice place to come back from the dorm to.
Women's spending tends to amount to spending smaller amounts on a lot of different things over any period of time, as opposed to men's spending which seems, to me, to lean more toward the occasional one-time, big, purchase of something like a DVD player, music system, or a big screen tv.

Is it a matter of being materialistic when a woman wants to assure that her daughter gets a new prom gown versus when the father says, "She doesn't need it."? The fact that woman is tuned in enough to the emotional and social needs of her daughter means that while she may - in her head - know that nobody will die without a new prom gown, but that when all the other girls are getting their things together for the prom and her very, decent daughter is left without something to wear that's something the girl won't ever forget. So is the tendency of women to be more tuned in to the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of children something that just looks like "materialistic" or might the awareness of how important some material things are actually be materialistic? If that's the case, then women may be materialistic but its for a very important reason. Anyone who has paid attention to what happens when children grow up in impoverished homes where nobody is putting out the mums and the pumpkins in October and nobody makes sure a child has a nice place to study in realizes how a certain amount of seeming "materialistic" is not only not bad but its vital for the wellbeing of a family.

The woman who knows that buying the prom gown will cut too much into the budget may put the gown on a credit card, and if the credit cards are to the limit she may sign up for another one just to make sure that girl gets her dress for this (often) once-in-a-lifetime event. So now, the woman is looking like a wild and crazy spender who doesn't know how to stick within the budget and isn't above using credit to further her "wild" spending.....

and the man may sit on the sofa in front of the big screen tv that was his Summertime purchase and not have a clue about why it is a prom dress is so important and why the mother of his daughter is teaching the daughter to be every bit as "materialistic" as she is.

On average? I think what looks like being materialistic in women is misinterpreted by people who don't have a clue.

Answer 4

I believe that if women are more materialistic than men it is because it is usually our job to do the shopping to feed and clothe the family and furnish and decorate the house. So, when we do, we are called materialistic.

Answer 5

I think men and women ar equally materialistic. BUT women in general are poor savers and are more prone to make many impulse purchases on many small items such as shoes, purses, clothes, and jewelery. And a ton on make up, hair and nails.
Where as a guy is more prone to making bigger purchases such as a truck, boat, ski trip, hunting trip or sports event.

Answer 6

Ha...depends on how u look at it...women like to buy clothes, cosmetics etc...whereas guys collect gadgets which may be fewer in number but cost much more!
More materialistic? Hmm...perhaps it's the nurturing instinct in females which causes us to want to beautify our homes n surroundings??
But i think men n women can be equally materialistic. :)

Answer 7

to begin with what is the average? i have not experienced this as in my life the guys are the ones who are materialistic, there is nothing that makes my guys happier then new computer junk. and while i do enjoy getting new jewelry i just get it to off set all the money that is being spent on computer junk. maby that's why we are seen as more materialistic, jewelry clothing and ect. are not seen as essential as computer junk.

Answer 8

as the years pass and what i have noticed, there are close to being even.

why you ask- well look at how much is out there. Speaking for myself- anything i like i buy. Everytime i go to the store i come home with a new gaget. I do not have many hobbies and was deprived as a child.

I want the best for my family. Doesnt really awnser the why- but...

Answer 9

Hell yeah!
Females are VERY materialistic....stereotypically!
Allthough Metro males seem to be creeping up everywhere, so you never know what the future may hold with that question!

Answer 10

I certainaly don't think so; Up to this point the majority of business, major stock holdings and polictical power has been controlled by the male persuasion. If that's not material, I don't know what is.