In the mail today arrived the health newsletter sent to all those on the state insurance plan. Generally it is full of useless tidbits and bland advice about various healthy living items. Presumably, the prevention advice will save the subscribers illness and the company money since they won't have to pay for the illnesses.
Today there was something different: a box about "fiscal fitness."
And what a doozy it is.
"5 things mothers should tell daughters about money and retirement."
First, the illustration, of a Victorian woman with conservative dress, a small child in her lap and another at her knee. it wasn't this, but something along these lines.
Nice, especially since this goes out to modern working women and men.
Second, the advice. Several of the items are good, all around statements that apply to everyone (so, why the mother/daughter thing, I don't know). These are: "start saving early," "develop good habits," "protect your credit rating," and "participate in a retirement plan." Nothing wrong there, aside from being the type of broad and meaningless platitudes found anywhere.
And this brings me to the special, number one (1!) piece of advice mothers (wearing their lace and long skirts by the fire, chatting in domestic bliss with their female children) should share with their daughters. Ready?
Women live longer and earn less than men.
Insert head slap here. A few things that ran through my head, but that I am left too mute from spluttering to elaborate:
A confession from my employer that it engages in unequal pay! Hot damn!
The State of West Virginia... master of the obvious!
Coming from the employer, that's not really something they ought to be broadcasting, eh?
What about "don't depend on a man for your financial stability"?
What on earth does this have to do with health insurance?
A confession from my employer that it engages in unequal pay! Hot damn!
Groan...
Posted by binky at May 16, 2007 02:00 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Economics | Gender and Politics | The Academy | West Virginia