by Annaleise Getley

Created on: February 17, 2009

Can we really make this question all about gender? After all wouldn't the question "does a person's economic status make a difference to the way they are perceived" still evoke the same answer? It may sound shallow of me, but I'm going to say what we are all thinking.. YES! In a world run by money, based on money, and fueled by money, you're living under a rock if you honestly believe money does not make for a major factor in the way you are perceived by others!

When you mention the word perception it does not mean a person's idea of your personality, perception put bluntly is a first impression. Now lets think about this with gender taken out. If you took your best friend and imagined them as a beggar on the street, their skin dirty, their teeth rotten and their general manner altogether hopeless, your first impression would be something rather negative, sympathetic even. However, if you imagine your best friend in a Gucci tailored suit, with a leather brief case and finely groomed hair you might as well define that first impression in one word "HELLO!".

If we were discussing whether or not a man's economic status makes a difference on the way people see him as a person, as an individual than I would say the answer is NO, for once we get to know someone, their money no longer becomes important. However, we have been brought up, especially in developed countries to believe that money = power and prestige. This subconscious teaching even goes further for women, who are told from a young age that when they are old enough to look for potential partners that money is by far the most important thing to have second only to looks. You could argue that if an upper class well off woman saw a well off upper class man, she may perceive him as an equal, or her perception would be neutral because she is used to that. However, if she saw a lower class man, perhaps in his overalls she may roll her eyes, or raise her eyebrows in quiet judgement!

Here however, the woman's perception of both men is not a result of THEIR economic status but rather her own! The fact is money makes a difference to everything in life, and YES a man's economic status makes a difference when it comes to how women perceive them. Yet perception is only what catches the eye, and whilst perceptions can be made on appearance and status alone, it really shouldn;t be taken to heart. You could be the poorest man on earth and you'd gain the affections of more women than any billionare.. and even if you dont, I can assure you the women you do meet and get to know, will stay with you for longer, and want more from you than your money. So even if the answer is 'yes' why should you complain. You're either rich and admired, or poor and loved. Either way everyone's a winner!

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