Why are most shopahilics women?

Question

I was reading about a study that said over 75% of "shopaholics" (the types that put thier families in over $50,000 in credit card debt) are women, but I wasn't able to find any reasons in the article. Why does this seem to be so?

Answer 1

my guess is that men see more value in one big ticket item (big screen TV,power tools, boat, etc.) than 50 pairs of shoes. Interesting- the men's stuff is usually a lot easier to sell if it became a problem.

Answer 2

I would think it is because more women are unhappy than men and because women are less likely to do something like use alcohol to make themselves feel better. Women may be more likely to believe that shopping is harmless to their health, but then it gets out of control.

One note, though: Women more often have a good understanding of what a family needs than men do. For example, a woman may know that a family needs a certain amount of "homey" things in the home in order to make it feel welcoming. Men are often more likely to think people only need a chair and a refrigerator. Women may know the emotional benefits of making sure a daughter has a new prom dress. Men are more often likely to say she doesn't need that.

So in fairness to women, some of what is seen as being a "shopaholic" (when it doesn't involved getting into huge debt) is really just a matter of having the understanding the people do not "live by bread alone".

As far as genuine, problem, "shopaholics" go, when people are extremely unhappy for a long time they try to think of something that is within their power to do to make themselves feel at least a little better. They may shop. What happens with problem shoppers, though, is that once they get their little "lift" from buying something they need to buy something else to get another lift.

There is probably also sometimes some anger involved (either anger at a husband or else at "the world"), and a woman may think, "Hey - I've tried so hard to do everything the right way, and this is what I get for it; so, screw it, I'm doing what I feel like doing."

Answer 3

i don't like shopping so i don't fit in that category but i have a few friends that do. since they married their husbands, which make at least $65,000 a year but most of the time more than that, they quit their jobs so they could stay home and of course shop since they didn't have anything else to do all day. i on the other hand have not quit my job cause i don't want to have to ask for money when i go out, but the main reason for women being shopaholics
is because they are bored or unhappy at home so they go out and spend every penny they can.

Answer 4

I think it's the gathering instinct partially, and the major shopaholics are crying out for help and attention. But I'm a woman and I HATE stores and shopping!

Answer 5

Society conditions women to feel the need to have certain items. Women tend to be alot more into buying clothing than men are. Also when a woman gets depressed, they feel a stronger urge to get that little pick me up that occurs when they shop, because they think that if they have those items that they will suddenly be happy and feel content.

Answer 6

That's a very good question. I don't know!, but it's true. Maybe it's because it's not acceptable for them to be something like an alcoholic. Not that it's acceptable for men either, but it seems to be tolerated more in men. I hate shopping, but I seem to be the exception to the rule.

Answer 7

It's something in the genes or hormones, for sure, because the more feminine the person is, the more likely she/he likes to shop, and the more masculine a person is, the more likely he/she hates to shop.

Answer 8

I don't think that is true. There are an equal amount of studies that show that since men have more money, they shop more. Especially for big-ticket items like cars, appliances, stereos, tvs, etc..

Answer 9

I don't know. I can't relate. I am a woman but I do not like to spend a lot of money. It uses up too many of my precious hours to work for it; I am not about to let go of it easily.

Answer 10

women are more emotional, due to a greater amount of chemicals released by the brain. women's hormones trigger women to do things excessively... for example.. drugs, chatting, and shopping.