NOTHING VENTURED NOTHING GAINED: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN FINANCIAL RISK BEHAVIOR AMONG TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Our study examines issues of risk attitude and risk tolerance among Turkish university students. We surveyed 725 students regarding their attitudes toward risk and asked them to respond to several hypothetical situations concerning possible financial gain and/or loss. Using parametric and nonparametric tests, we examined their risk tolerance and risk attitude as well as their propensity for risk taking behavior. In line with much of the literature, we found women students to be more risk adverse than men. The gender difference increased as risk increased. The importance of this research lies in the portrait it provides of attitudes toward risk and risk tolerance among young people in an emerging market. In particular, for the ways that gender may affect any number of financial decisions over the course of an individual's life.

Keywords

• Risk Attitude, Risk Tolerance, Gender Difference.

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