Why Money Shouldn’t Be a Taboo Topic After Graduation
FORT COLLINS, CO — Thoughts on money talk from the perspectives of current CSU students and former graduates.
Finances have always been a touchy subject.
From asking your parents about their income, to discussing tuition and rent, your conversation of money is probably flippant and hushed. But should it be?
College students are eager to share everything, it seems. Our CSU culture is all about openness and oversharing We discuss how much rent costs or how much your friend is making at their job or internship.
But… from someone who has recently had a slew of friends graduate from CSU, I notice people instantly stop discussing finances after graduation. It seems like the wave of adulthood comes crashing down and now, just like our parents, it becomes difficult to talk about. — OR — so does our honesty about money.
In our society, is money is perceived as a direct correlation of our worth? Personally, this is wrongfully so. But how do you shake the heavy perceptions of an entire culture built upon the foundations of green paper (or now rather, stacks of plastic cards)?
Could it be because our recently graduated friends have a fear of judgment? Suddenly, it seems that the amount of money you make elevates you to a certain status. Studies show that money doesn’t buy happiness, but status.
The money taboo has existed for centuries, since the British deemed it gauche to speak of money within their social circles. Famously, throughout history the wealthiest are the ones who stay most hushed about the topic. But now, it appears that all social classes have trouble speaking about money. We hush up in attempts to either seem humble or hide embarrassment.
I spoke with friends and co-workers from CSU about this idea of the money taboo and here is what they had to say.
“ The topic of money just isn’t as publicized. People ask about it less and then talk about it less. When it is talked about, it is asked in very broad general questions. Questions like ‘ are you hourly or on salary’” — Mariah Mcgettigan, Department Director for Scheels
“I have found that people are more insecure about telling others about their jobs. More so than money. Like your job defines status more than the money you are making.” — Patti Chapman, Employer Relations Associate for Colorado State University
“Once you have a ‘real’ job in your career path, it feels like the pressure is on. Money all of the sudden is not something you just bring up. Both because you don’t want to be judged, or seem like you are judging the person you’re talking with” — Zach Kuhl, former CSU student
But I can argue that money is something that needs to be easier to discuss. Implications arise from the surreptitiousness of money. Lack of openness can soon affect family dynamics, relationships and even life in the workplace.
Families who are hesitant about discussing money with their children provide them with very few ideas about the value or workings of money.
Finances are a leading cause of stress in a relationship. Couples who don’t talk about finances are more likely to experience this stress and end up on different pages concerning funds and the future.
And finally, being hushed about money in the workplace can lead to inequality and unwarranted competition. Laura Shin from Forbes states, “The fear and awkwardness of talking about money means people are going to get cheated over and over, and it tends to be women, people of color, people in more marginalized positions. … If people are silent about problems, things can be perpetuated.”
Well there you have it.
Although uncomfortable or embarrassing, we should talk about money with our peers. Here is a good resource that details how to discuss money without being disrespectful. We can do this properly and not seem rude or brash.
Here in Fort Collins, most of us come from a culture of friendliness and oversharing. These open and eager discussions between peers lead to us making well-educated decisions in the end. That shouldn’t change when we’re talking about dollars.