Shopping: Best Friend of Women

Shopping: The Best Friend of Women Beyond all doubt, market could not survive without women. From malls to markets, all of them look like territory of women. Actually, similar to what we have seen, the female consumer is a very high share of social consumer and she is also becoming a research object of social economics. Nowadays, there is more and more criticism about female consumption. However, I believe that shopping is not only important, but also a positive part of women’s life. As a tag, “shopping” is always connected with females. In public opinion, especially from males, it is also a sign of greed and excess. Consequently, it is improper that women pay more attention to shopping, likewise it contradicts the traditional standard of a good wife: frugal and selfless. While, maybe it is true that women spend more time and energy on shopping, I believe it is totally understandable. At first, women do shopping not only for interest but also for their family role. In fact, most males just see that women do shopping almost everyday, while, women also buy stuff for their household. According to a study from China, the family daily necessities is the largest budget of about 72% Chinese female consumers (“Study”).1 The same goes to Brazil, about 66% Brazilian household consumption is decided by women (“Study”).2 Because of females family role, they have to spend time and energy on purchase of daily supplies for families, such as food, clothes, and cleaning products. Thus I think it is unfair that women perform their duties with criticism. Besides, It is no doubt that females are much smarter than males on buying. Depending on the different consumption habits of genders, women always prefer to do more work before they decide to take out money from their wallets, such as comparing the price, the style, the quality, and the

suggestions from others. In contrast, most of general male consumers will not pay attention to contrast the difference of prices and styles, they also do not want to spend time on haggling (Bilaras).3 Consequently, It is pardonable that women spend more time and energy on buying instead of impulse purchase. On the other hand, some opponents worry about it will bring negative implication for society and family. They think that it implies that vain ethos has been advocating in our society. Nevertheless, according a research from Business Wire, in the United States, the women who have higher income have greater consuming power. It also points that females’ income increase and study ability are proportion to their purchase power (“Research”).4 It definitely shows more women always acquire positive energy from purchasing desire. They make great efforts to improve themselves and do not just focus on spending money. However, it is deserved to commend that to achieve one’s desire by working hard. Therefore, not only should public see the materialistic effects, they also should approve the active implications of females consumption. Does shopping make any trouble for families? We hardly can get any research to prove that females consumption may cause divorce or breakup. In reality, shopping can help women to cope with stress. “Retail Therapy”, which is used for ameliorating depression, has been popular at the modern society. As a Penn State researcher state, a group of general consumers has been analysed and they “had bought themselves a treat in the past week, and found that 62% of those purchases had been made in an effort to lift mood” (Elizabeth).5 Comparing with using alcohol and drugs, which are causing more divorce cases, Purchase undoubtedly is a much better way of remitting females’ depression. One of another dissenting opinion is female shopper spend more resource than males. The

opponents claim that the female consumer is the major villain of the resource cost. Nonetheless, a research reveals females have higher sense then man on green buying. Because of more purchasing experience of them, they could realize the environmental issues of various items (Qingshan, Jing)6. The awareness has influenced on females’ purchasing behaviour, thus to choose environment­friendly productions. Overall, women consumption has been a hot social issue. Although there still is an argumentation of if women should pay attention on purchase, people should treat it correctly. female shoppers should not be censured as the trouble maker of social and environmental issues. Shopping is not only a part of female family role, it also gives women positive effects and inspires them to improve themselves.

Resource: 1 “Study: Chinese Women’s Role in Household Consumption Increasing.” thechinaobserver.com 4 Jan. 2012 . 2 “Study: Brazilian Women Control 66% of Brazilian Family Consumption.” sophiamind.com 2 June 2010 3 Bilaras. “Men and Women Shopping Behaviors” hubpages.com 14 Dec.2012 4 “Research: Research and Markets: Marketing to High­income Women in the United States 2007

” Business Wire 28 June 2007 5 Elizabeth Scott, M.S.“Retail Therapy and Stress: The Relationship Between Shopping and Stress” about.com 14 Sep. 2011 6 Yang Qing­shan, Li Jing “Environmental Awareness and Consumer Behavior” Journal of Tianjin Institute of Technology Vol.16 No.4 Dec.2000