A woman’s financial independence is not optional

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Penny
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A woman hugging a boy on her lap, they are in the fresh air with a large blue sky above them.

Nobody wants their partner to hate their job, but there’s more at stake than that!  

When a popular podcast host recently said he doesn’t want his partner to work “if she doesn’t want to” because he wants her eyes to “light up” at the end of the day, and added that a man with a busy life needs “calm, harmony, peace and love” when he comes home, it struck a nerve. And for good reason. 

He went on to say: 
“This is why I heavily encourage hot girl walks… I don’t think a girl needs to go through challenge, pain and hardship to be an amazing girl. I think she can fill her days with passion-filled things and still be amazing.” 

While no one wants their partner to be stuck in a job they hate. And relationships do work best when both people feel supported, fulfilled and cared for.  What he failed to appreciate, and what wellness advocate Laura Henshaw rightly called out, is the dangerous idea that women exist to serve their partners. That we need to regulate our moods for their comfort. That our dreams should take a backseat to theirs, especially if they’re wealthy. And that our financial independence is optional. 

These aren’t just outdated attitudes, they’re harmful. Because when a woman’s ability to earn, grow and make her own decisions is treated as secondary, it puts her at real risk. 

Financial dependence isn’t just a lifestyle decision. It’s a risk. 

We’re not here to criticise women who choose to stay home, work part-time, or focus on their families. Those choices are deeply personal and valid. What we are here to do is empower women with the knowledge, tools and confidence to build and maintain financial independence, so their futures don’t rely entirely on someone else’s income, values, decisions or dreams.  

Because the truth is: 

  • Many women are still expected to step away from work to raise kids and care for loved ones, only to find themselves stuck when a relationship breaks down. 
  • Some stay in unhappy, even unsafe, situations because they can’t afford to leave. 
  • Others face financial abuse, limited access to money, and barriers to re-entering the workforce later on. 

These aren’t hypotheticals. They are the lived experiences of women every day. 

This isn’t about “who earns more.” It’s about having options. 

At Penny, we believe in choice, but choice without power isn’t real freedom. Financial independence doesn’t mean doing it all alone. It means having the ability to make decisions, leave unhealthy situations, invest in yourself, and live on your own terms, regardless of your relationship status. 

This year alone 24 women have been killed this year due to violence according to the Australian Femicide Watch. And in 2024, 78 women were murdered in gender-based violence, the worst year on record. 

These women weren’t just statistics. They were mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Many were in intimate partner relationships. Some would have tried to seek help. Some would have tried to leave. But, without the safety net of financial independence or accessible support systems to fall back on, leaving can feel like an impossible choice.  

While none of us should feel miserable at work, we can’t confuse personal happiness with systemic (and personal) risk. We need to keep empowering women to build their financial literacy and independence and stay connected to their own goals, their own careers, their money and their own dreams. Because nobody should have to choose between love and their personal safety and security. 

We’re here to make sure women have options. Learn more about how Penny is helping women achieve financial independence.  

Support Services 

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available: 

  • Women’s Legal Service – Free legal support for women experiencing domestic violence and financial abuse 
    https://www.wlsa.org.au 

Read more about this topic: Laura Henshaw call out podcast host for segment on women in the workforce 

Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash.