The Case For an "Old Girls" Network
Recently one of my two daughters often began interrupting me when I was speaking to someone else. She felt her thoughts and ideas were so important that they needed to be expressed at that moment no matter who else was having a conversation. Needless to say, this behavior quickly became irritating. I wanted a solution to the problem. On the one hand, I wanted my daughter to be more respectful of other people and other peoples’ conversations, but on the other hand, I did not wish to suppress her enthusiasm for sharing her ideas.
While waiting with some moms – many stay-at-home moms, some not -- at an after school activity, I presented my dilemma. I also spoke about the issue with several veterinarians at work who are moms. I asked all for their help in finding an appropriate solution for my daughter’s specific behavioral challenge. We talked, exchanged ideas, problem-solved and came up with workable solutions. I was truly grateful for my network of moms and my ability to tap into that valuable group of women for answers and solutions.
Last night, I looked over my investment portfolio. After studying it for a while, I started wondering about two investments and how to proceed. Do I buy? Do I sell? Do I sell some of them? I needed some feedback. I thought about which one of my girlfriends to ask for help. I soon realized that I couldn’t think of a single one to contact who would be of to any help me to me with a financial question. All of them could give me some advice on children’s issues. They could give me the latest information on after school activities and the best camps to attend in the summer and schools to attend in the winter. They could share information on teachers’ personalities and the latest information on standardized testing. In addition, my female veterinary colleagues could give me great advice on newly learned carnassial teeth extraction techniques and the pros and cons of laparoscopic spays. However, I could not think of one who could help me with basic portfolio decisions.
I realized that my business “network” consisted of my dad (a retired businessman), two male practice owners, and the husband of a friend of mine who does all of the investing for his family.
That lead me to wonder why we, as women, do not have an “old girls’ network?” Women comprise over 45% of today’s workforce. In veterinary medicine, over 80% of new working graduates are female. But, according to a recent AVMA debt study, female graduates are burdened with approximately $10,000 more student loan debt than their male counterparts. Women consistently are paid less than men for performing the same jobs. Female practice owners are declining as a percentage of the veterinary profession.
It would make sense that a major topic of our conversations as women would be around fiscal topics. Statistics show that half of us will be single moms on our own, financially, someday. Instead, when we gather together we chat -- about children, our partners, the weather, homeless pets, low income clients we feel sorry for, the latest vaccine protocols, and who we recommend as a fourth grade teacher.
These topics are all interesting, and often important – such as how to teach my daughter manners without stifling her expressionism. But, why do we as women not take more interest in investing? In earning power? In negotiating skills aimed at higher compensation? Why are we not more actively pursuing practice ownership? Why don’t we know the difference between a stock and a bond? Why do we not understand the implications of the Greek debt crisis?
Are we hoping that a husband will deal with these issues? Do we simply lack confidence or do we truly not care? Is this realistic in the long run?
What do you think?
