Was the Market Crash Men’s Fault?
Is it a coincidence that the Wall Street bankers responsible for the market crash were men, or do aggressive risk-taking strategies befall the male gender more naturally?
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Is the emblematic bull statue on Wall Street a talisman of irrational masculinity? “Clearly, bankers and regulators operating in this overconfident environment were not sufficiently aware of their irrationality. But since these traits are so masculine, would we have avoided a crisis if mostly women were at the top? Despite increased awareness about the influence of irrationality and emotions in economic behavior, it would, however, be too soon to rule out risky masculine decision-making in the financial sector. Bankers aren’t suddenly doing deep soul-searching; entrenched habits and cultures are difficult to change.”
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