The social nature of money: Meanings of Money in Swedish Families

Abstract

This article is based on a study of 10 married Swedish couples considering the different meanings money acquires and the implications of these meanings for individuals' access to money and consumption. The article examines the ways in which money and its use can create meaning and construct acts in couple relationships. The findings show that there are several kinds of ‘special’ monies. Money is often defined in terms of ownership and the data illustrate a variety of ways of defining money as jointly or privately owned. Family needs are central in defining money, but personal ownership of money is also important. Despite Swedish perceptions of gender equality and sharing, the data demonstrate persisting inequalities in terms of money. While using private money for family needs can express love and trust, it can also maintain the existing balance of power. The data support theories of gender system and gender contracts and the article argues that money is one way of shaping couple relations, while being also shaped by couple and other social relationships. Support was also found for the resource theory of power in that higher earnings and perceptions of ownership of money meant more control over money.