Gender differences in financial literacy in Italy. Exploratory explanations

The study of gender differences in financial literacy (and, more broadly, in financial socialization patterns) is considered as very relevant nowadays for various reasons. Firstly because, as shown by various research carried out in Western countries, the recent financial downturn has strongly affected women, increasing their chance of running into poverty, especially for women who are single- parents, divorced, widowed and/or elderly. Secondly because, despite increasing their level of education and presence in the workplace, women still have lower earnings and levels of pension benefit. How can we explain this gender difference which seems only to widen from adolescence to adulthood? In this paper we will try to answer this question, though shortly, by drawing on relevant literature from psychological and sociological theories.