Kept on Wikipedia:Girl math
The phrase "girl math" is an internet meme used to describe rationalizations by young women to justify indulgent and potentially irresponsible spending habits. It originated on the social media platform TikTok and later spread to Instagram and X.[1]
History
The origins of "girl math" are attributed to a video by TikTok user @samjamessssss, who encouraged a transition from the "Girl Dinner" trend to "girl math." This meme echoes the "women be shopping" meme but was created and popularized by women themselves.[2]
Another possible origin is a segment called "Girl Math" from the New Zealand radio show "Fletch, Vaughan & Hailey," where listeners justified big-time purchases with the help of the hosts. This segment became popular on TikTok, where the trend went viral.[3]
Psychological background
Several psychological concepts are relevant to "girl math," including cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, the framing effect, and mental accounting theory. These concepts help alleviate mental tension through biases and heuristics.[4]
Effect of gender stereotypes
The "girl math" trend can influence and be influenced by gender perceptions. While "girl math" often celebrates femininity, it has also faced backlash for perpetuating the notion that women's thought processes are irrational. This led to the emergence of "boy math," which addresses male behavior and highlights instances of misogyny and toxic masculinity.[5]
Behavioral economics
"Girl math" is seen as a way for women to justify non-essential purchases as a form of self-care. The trend utilizes cognitive biases prevalent in economics, such as the "pain of paying" and the "cashless effect." These biases help explain why paying with a gift card or cash feels free.[6]
Criticism
Critics warn that "girl math" can hinder long-term financial planning by rationalizing small purchases. Financial experts emphasize that viewing certain expenses as "free" can lead to financial trouble. The trend has also been criticized for trivializing women's mathematical abilities and reinforcing historical biases against women in mathematics.[7]
References
- ↑ Demopoulos, Alaina (28 September 2023). "'Can't we have a funny joke?' Why #girlmath is dividing TikTok". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ↑ Di Placido, Dani (29 September 2023). "'Boy Math' And 'Girl Math' Meme, Explained". Forbes. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Gulino, Elizabeth (16 August 2023). "Is Girl Math Really Helping The Girls?". Refinery29. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Blijlevens, Dr Janneke (16 August 2023). "Girl Maths – a mindset justifying people to spend more than they can afford". RMIT Australia. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Salma, Haniyatuz Zaidah; Leiliyanti, Eva (15 March 2024). ""Girl Math, Boy Math": The Presence of Toxic Masculinity in TikTok and X Jargon". KnE Social Sciences: 59–77. doi:10.18502/kss.v9i9.15656. ISSN 2518-668X.
- ↑ Carver, David (27 November 2023). "Girl Math: A new perspective on behavioural economics". Durham University Economics Society. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Leonard, Katelyn (10 December 2023). "The danger of gendering trends: An exploration of "girl dinner" and "girl math"". The Black and White. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
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