ANDIt was 1929 and, as Wall Street was about to collapse, Virginia Woolf was printing A room of one’s owna precious little book to understand what a woman needs. The British writer added to the title, by way of subtitle: «And £500 a year in income» (around 40 thousand euros today, ed). A precise indication, which at the same time violated the social taboo of money (talking about it was inelegant) and approved “the devil’s dung” as an instrument of emancipation.
Almost 100 years later, a balance sheet is in order: today, with a growing number of women in the world of work, the geography of money is in fact defining new paths. To paraphrase Descartes: “I spend, therefore I am.” Yes, I decide what the priority expenses are. I’m the one who saves to be able to buy that accessory, because I deserve it. And it’s always me who feels proud of having paid for my son’s course, my mother’s tuition at the RSA, the weekend with friends at the spa. And I’m the one who feels comfortable sharing family expenses with my partner.
Economic independence: the “empty hands” stereotype
There is therefore a small revolution underway, which concerns identity, who I am and what I do, and what Paola Profeta, vice-rector of Bocconi Universitydescribes this way: «Our research shows that women’s work goes beyond the sphere of economic need and becomes a constitutive part of identity: from necessity to tool of emancipation. Above all, the thirty-year-old generation moves the idea of family forward to build economic freedom first.” Despite the clichés on the subject which describe the female gender as empty-handed, ready to spend on “stupid” things or with an eagerness to buy, women behave prudently, are thrifty and do not take risks.
«They are careful with money, they try to never squander it, they put it away for the future; in the various analyzes it emerges that they have less financial literacy, they do not take risks on the stock market for example. And they don’t always have a personal bank account”, continues Profeta. «The perception of economic independence is different from reality: in 20 percent of cases, the partner wants to approve the expenses, while 40 percent of women say they have an assigned budget, that is, they do not have complete freedom. The feeling of being controlled remains.”
A luxury accessory seals success
Yet, something is moving. Also because, not only for banks and finance, the female world is a tasty morsel: the possibility of spending has brought out new scenarios and entices those who want to sell. To inform women and give them the opportunity to open an independent current account the alliance promoted by Corriere della Sera was born with the Italian Banking Association, Confindustria, Confcommercio and other trade associations and trade unions (email: [email protected]). In Italy, in fact, only 58 percent of women have a bank account in their own name alone. Yet, being able to spend without being accountable is something that gives great satisfaction and strengthens self-esteem.
They use the money to share family expenses, but do not give up anything for themselves. Women’s relationship with economic resources is changing. (Getty Images)
I buy it, I am the protagonist of my life
Claudia D’Arpizio, head of fashion and luxury at Bain & Company, a business consultancy agency, says: «The luxury product is useless in itself, there are cheap alternatives, Zara has democratized fashion…But the purchase of a luxury accessory, in addition to giving emotions, It has a personal and social symbolism, it seals one’s successes and belonging to a certain world. There is a lot of the theme of self-empowerment, that is, of being aware of one’s own strengths, of having achieved objectives without any help, a woman protagonist of decisions. In China a girl graduates, enters the world of work, earns money, and at that point buys a pair of Roger Vivier or a Chanel dress. “I was good. I did it.” It’s a bit like Rolex was for men years ago. A recognition.” It is true that dopamine and serotonin are produced when you extend your credit card to secure the object of desire, but it is also true that they are two lazy hormones: their effect does not last long, the feeling of well-being fades quickly, sometimes replaced by a sense of guilt for an unnecessary expense.
That 20 percent less than their male colleagues
Regardless of how large the economic availability is, women have understood that being able to count on your own income is the first condition for not being subjugated. Is it a coincidence that 60 percent of women subjected to violence are not economically independent? The data comes from the Milanese network of anti-violence centers and says a lot about how important it is to have a job. Felicia Kingsley knows this well toowriter, 39 years old, author of Marriage of convenience (Newton Compton publishers): «Not depending on the parent or partner must become a habit. Today it is perfectly normal to have a driving licence, for my grandmother it wasn’t. We must aim for a future where financial autonomy is normal».
With the persistent pension gap certified by Istat in 2025, with working careers being shorter and sometimes fragmented by maternity, the Gender Gap is making itself felt: women earn between 10 and 20 percent less than their male colleagues. The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 prophesied that parity will be reached in 123 years, or in five generations. Saying “I spend, therefore I am” is not always easyalso because we are not good at asserting ourselves. Claudia D’Arpizio: «If a promotion comes, financial recognition must also come. Have we aligned ourselves with men in considering money the measure of success? Yes, in part, we have adapted, we have fallen into the trap of equivalence: money equals power. But that’s okay, because we need to eliminate the Gender Pay Gap. It is a process of female emancipation.” And Virginia Woolf understood this more than a hundred years ago.
