Media and technological literacy have become basic elements of modern life, but money is even more basic to meeting one's essential needs. Recent studies* show that although girls and boys understand equally well that it takes responsibility and hard work to succeed financially, girls feel considerably less confident about managing money. Studies also show that women still fare worse as income earners than men:

• The vast majority of girls growing up today can expect to spend most of their adult lives in the labor force, most will work to support their families, and many will do so on their income alone. In 1995, more than 38 million U.S. families were headed by women, representing 30 percent of all households
• In 2001, salaried women working full time had median weekly earnings that were 76% of men’s earnings and among full time workers in 1999, women ages 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree earned about the same amount as did men with a high school diploma only
• In 2001, women were more likely than men to work in lower paying professional occupations, such as teaching, and men were more likely to be employed in the highest paying professions, such as engineering and computer science

The ability to use basic economic concepts to make decisions about saving, sharing, and making money - or economic literacy - is a skill. Like reading and writing, a working knowledge of basic money concepts is essential for future success. The Girls Inc. Economic Literacy® program introduces girls to basic financial concepts, including money management and investment; helps girls look at how money affects us locally and globally; and fosters the development of skills needed to be financially self-sufficient. In this age-phased program, girls learn how to budget, save, take informed financial risks, and avoid feeling intimidated about money. Equally important, the program gives girls the opportunity to discuss equal pay for equal work, childcare, welfare and other issues that particularly affect women and girls.

You can find additional resources at the National Girls Inc web site.