Writing about gender inequality, particularly in superannuation, is never easy. But I did not anticipate the sheer volume and vehemence of the backlash to my recent article, Australia’s Shameful Super Gap.
Published on Firstlinks, it sought to highlight the systemic barriers that contribute to women retiring with significantly less superannuation than men. Yet, instead of engaging with the core argument, many readers chose to focus to perpetuate harmful stereotypes, or dismiss the discussion altogether.
The reaction revealed more about the challenges of addressing structural inequality than I had anticipated—and, frankly, more about the biases many readers hold.
The Missing Acknowledgement of the Gender Superannuation Gap
The article focused squarely on one undeniable fact: there is a gender superannuation gap, and its consequences are dire. The older woman the fastest-growing demographic of homeless people in Australia; the 2021 Census reported an increase of 6.6% increase in this demographic. Yet, for an ‘educated’ readership, a surprising number of comments ignored this fundamental issue. Was their silence a tacit agreement that the gap exists but isn’t worth addressing? Or is it a reflection of discomfort in confronting the realities of systemic inequality?
Discrediting Lived Experience
Over my career, I’ve spoken to thousands of women about the gender super gap, and their reactions are often raw and emotional. Yet, the comments I received seemed to imply that my observations were either exaggerated or somehow unrepresentative.
This dismissal of my lived experience is deeply disconcerting. Have they had the same experience presenting to all those women and received very different response? Are we to believe that all these women are wrong? That their emotions are misplaced? When commenters suggest this, it reflects a fundamental unwillingness to acknowledge perspectives outside their own narrow worldview. Gaslighting, anyone?
Assumptions Over Engagement
Claims that women are asking for “handouts” or “avoiding personal responsibility” ignore the systemic barriers women face and also perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Even if women were asking for financial redress, why shouldn’t they? The dire state of the gender super gap – where 1 in 6 women in Australia retires into poverty – warrants intervention. It is shameful for a first-world country to let women who have spent a lifetime in service end up in poverty through no fault of their own.
My personal favourite when it came to their reductive rhetoric was “life’s decisions have consequences”. Apart from being a relic from the 60s, this mindset completely disregards structural factors, such as career interruptions for caregiving and gender pay gaps.
Narrow Lenses on Work and Financial Literacy
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the backlash was the inability of some readers to imagine life outside their own circumstances. The most recent data available (ABS, 2010) indicates only 4% of unemployed individuals make voluntary super contributions—highlighting how out of touch the oft-suggested “solutions” are for many women. The overwhelming response from the readers on particular styles of contributions – ‘just make spousal contributions’ – also highlights that their level of financial literacy is very much in the minority among the broader population.
A Question of Gender?
Reflecting on the feedback, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the reception of my article and a piece by Noel Whittaker on the same platform just a week later. His work didn’t attract nearly the same level of backlash, despite covering the same issues. This raises an uncomfortable question: would I have faced the same vitriol if I had published under a male name?
The Bigger Problem
The resistance to engaging meaningfully with the gender super gap is emblematic of the problem itself. When discussions about inequality are drowned out by stereotypes, assumptions, and personal attacks, it becomes even harder to drive change.
Women deserve better—not just in superannuation, but in the way their concerns are heard, respected, and addressed.
The emperor has no clothes. It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.
Financy advocates for gender equity change through the Women’s Index report. We specialise in social impact Communications and Brand Strategy and leverage the power of our DEI tech IMPACTER to help drive performance.
