She Strengthens

The Illusion of Empowerment

As I navigate the world of branding, personal finance, and digital media, I’m constantly bombarded with the concept of “empowerment” – particularly when it comes to women. It’s a buzzword that’s become ubiquitous, but one that I’ve always been skeptical of.

A Marketing Tool Disguised as Liberation

In reality, “empowerment” has become a euphemism for making upper-middle-class professional women feel good about their choices. It’s a way to spin every decision – from buying expensive foundation to demanding a raise – as a bold, feminist statement. But let’s be real: this kind of “empowerment” only applies to those who already have a certain level of privilege and access.

The Myth of Self-Determination

We’re told that we’re “giving ourselves permission” to enjoy life, ask for what we want, and buy what we need. But this narrative conveniently ignores the fact that many women don’t have the luxury of making these choices. Poor women, in particular, are often forced to make impossible decisions between basic necessities and fleeting indulgences. Their choices aren’t empowering – they’re survival tactics.

Class Privilege Masquerading as Oppression

The empowerment narrative would have us believe that wealthy, white women are somehow oppressed simply because of their gender. But this ignores the very real systemic barriers that prevent marginalized women from accessing the same opportunities. It’s a convenient way to gloss over the fact that our choices are often limited by our socioeconomic status, rather than our gender.

A Guide for the Already Privileged

At The Financial Diet, we strive to be inclusive of diverse socioeconomic voices, but the truth is that our team – and most of our contributors – are middle-class or upper-middle-class women living in major cities. Our advice, as a result, is often geared towards women who already have a certain level of financial stability. We’re not “empowering” anyone who wasn’t already in a position of power; we’re simply providing more tools for those who already have a lot.

True Empowerment Requires More Than Just Words

If we truly want to help women find self-determination, we need to do more than just use buzzwords. We need to elevate marginalized voices, donate to meaningful causes, and advocate for all women – not just those at the top. We need to recognize that not everything we do is noble or good for women as a whole. Sometimes, our choices are just self-interested – and that’s okay.