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The Trouble With Rich Women
“…the deepest reason for the self-deprecation and uncertainty of rich women may be the simplest: the closer we are to power, the more passive we must be kept. Intimacy and access make rebellion very dangerous.”
In The Problem With Rich Women, Gloria Steinem explores how and why feminism failed to reach women in powerful families, and provides an urgent and persuasive argument for rebellion among upper-class women.
The Problem With Rich Women was originally published in Ms., June 1986.
Cover design by Adil Dara.
In The Problem With Rich Women, Gloria Steinem explores how and why feminism failed to reach women in powerful families, and provides an urgent and persuasive argument for rebellion among upper-class women.
The Problem With Rich Women was originally published in Ms., June 1986.
Cover design by Adil Dara.
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 1, 1986
38 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Steinem
117 books3,252 followersGloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, " After Black Power, Women's Liberation", which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 8, 2018
I love Gloria Steinem's writing, especially her essays. This one was no different! Her writing is great, and her perspective is always something I agree with.
August 30, 2020
2.5\3
I'm on the fence (like, in a Humpty-Dumpty sort of way) about this one.
Some of her quotes and insights are very good, helpful, and important, however, I didn't feel like that book achieved much or hit the nail on head for me.
Edit: thinking about it, one of the reasons I didn't like it that much is that it's looking at such a wide, societal problem in a very narrow way of thinking. While I understand this book is about feminism, issues with our economic society are much more complicated than what Steinem had mentioned.
I'm on the fence (like, in a Humpty-Dumpty sort of way) about this one.
Some of her quotes and insights are very good, helpful, and important, however, I didn't feel like that book achieved much or hit the nail on head for me.
Edit: thinking about it, one of the reasons I didn't like it that much is that it's looking at such a wide, societal problem in a very narrow way of thinking. While I understand this book is about feminism, issues with our economic society are much more complicated than what Steinem had mentioned.
December 23, 2025
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A short yet powerful book that explores the nuances of being a “rich woman” in the 1960s and 1970s.
From the outside, it may seem that upper-class women have it all: money, power, fame, and no need to look for a job.
However, the reality is very different, at least for the majority of “rich women.” They face a distinct set of problems, such as being controlled by wealthy fathers, husbands, or brothers.
Additionally, many experience a lack of independence and high levels of economic dependence as well as unrealistic social expectations/pressure to be a “good wife and mother,” uphold a man’s (husband’s or father’s) status, and focus on beauty rather than pursuing their own interests or careers.
The book also highlights that wealth does not protect women from abuse. It was particularly striking to learn the statistics, showing that the richer the abuser, the harder it is to prove the abuse. (Which based on current news stories seems to be, unfortunately still, very true).
A short yet powerful book that explores the nuances of being a “rich woman” in the 1960s and 1970s.
From the outside, it may seem that upper-class women have it all: money, power, fame, and no need to look for a job.
However, the reality is very different, at least for the majority of “rich women.” They face a distinct set of problems, such as being controlled by wealthy fathers, husbands, or brothers.
Additionally, many experience a lack of independence and high levels of economic dependence as well as unrealistic social expectations/pressure to be a “good wife and mother,” uphold a man’s (husband’s or father’s) status, and focus on beauty rather than pursuing their own interests or careers.
The book also highlights that wealth does not protect women from abuse. It was particularly striking to learn the statistics, showing that the richer the abuser, the harder it is to prove the abuse. (Which based on current news stories seems to be, unfortunately still, very true).
January 26, 2021
i enjoy steinem's quick reads, however i just can't get over the outdatedness. yes times have gone on but i would recommend looking at more intersectional feminists' work if you want to learn more!!
October 2, 2018
Decent breakdown.
January 9, 2025
Before I say anything, I already wish to specify that I see this as propaganda.
Not as in “woke feminist tells you ooga booga” as some on the other side of the extreme may suggest but literal propaganda. As in CIA hired her and paid her to keep talks about class to a minimal whilst focusing on women’s rights.
That said, it’s good propaganda and I have no doubt that Steinem believes/believed in 95% of the words written in this. It has authenticity, shows her own limiting beliefs and her overcoming them whilst also being quite approachable which many pseudo intellectuals (people self educated rather than getting a degree on the matter) struggle with though we must take in account her journalism background too.
Anyways, as someone who’s hyper focused on work- I have a desire to take away pain from my kids, wife, etc but I didn’t know that many found this to be patriarchal and disempowering with many even describing themselves as glorified prostitutes (which I don’t want atleast for my family).
How does one go about this then? Find a woman who wants to work with me rather than under me (like Alex and Leila Hormozi)? Giving my wife and children a certain level of hardship to induce growth (not domestic violence, think David Goggins type stuff)? Find a woman who legit doesn’t care about this and wants to focus on kids?
All questions I’d have to ask sooner or later, thanks for it being now Gloria!
Not as in “woke feminist tells you ooga booga” as some on the other side of the extreme may suggest but literal propaganda. As in CIA hired her and paid her to keep talks about class to a minimal whilst focusing on women’s rights.
That said, it’s good propaganda and I have no doubt that Steinem believes/believed in 95% of the words written in this. It has authenticity, shows her own limiting beliefs and her overcoming them whilst also being quite approachable which many pseudo intellectuals (people self educated rather than getting a degree on the matter) struggle with though we must take in account her journalism background too.
Anyways, as someone who’s hyper focused on work- I have a desire to take away pain from my kids, wife, etc but I didn’t know that many found this to be patriarchal and disempowering with many even describing themselves as glorified prostitutes (which I don’t want atleast for my family).
How does one go about this then? Find a woman who wants to work with me rather than under me (like Alex and Leila Hormozi)? Giving my wife and children a certain level of hardship to induce growth (not domestic violence, think David Goggins type stuff)? Find a woman who legit doesn’t care about this and wants to focus on kids?
All questions I’d have to ask sooner or later, thanks for it being now Gloria!
July 25, 2020
“We all need a chance to learn that $50 we earn ourselves creates more strength than $500 somebody gives us, and that using some of our resources to change the world is a lot more exhilarating than accumulating possessions to shore up a shaky sense of self-worth” - another brilliant essay, rings true today so many years after it was written. I am late into Gloria Steinem, and haven’t read her other works, these essays are a great start for anyone looking to educated themselves on feminism and making change. It is like Gloria is giving you a magnifying glass and then you suddenly see!
November 6, 2021
An interesting essay that shortly explains why feminism, or independence, could have been more challenging to reach for wealthy women. The women that were dependent on their fathers, husbands, and sons as decision-makers. I like this change of optics, which neatly aligns with the thesis that when women were needed as workers, they were much more likely to get equality (e.g., during the times of war or communism). I can imagine much more power play, dependence, and fear of breaking certain traditions/ power structures with affluent families. I wonder how current this essay is.
February 26, 2022
“There are psychic but crucial ways in which class works in reverse for women”
“One major way of ending the feminization of poverty is to attack the masculinization of wealth”
“In short these women punished their families but only in the traditional feminine way… they punished themselves”
Thought provoking insight into how wealth and class divides women and opportunities at the time of writing. Definite parallels still prevalent today, even if in some cultures more than others and on a varying scale. Definitely something to keep in mind.
“One major way of ending the feminization of poverty is to attack the masculinization of wealth”
“In short these women punished their families but only in the traditional feminine way… they punished themselves”
Thought provoking insight into how wealth and class divides women and opportunities at the time of writing. Definite parallels still prevalent today, even if in some cultures more than others and on a varying scale. Definitely something to keep in mind.
November 26, 2022
An interesting perspective piece focusing on rich (white) women's intersection with feminism. It's a little outdated now, and definitely could use a more intersectional critique, but it does offer an interesting, and (I feel) rarely discussed point of view that for 13 pages, is interesting enough to chew on.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could do half stars. It's an interesting enough essay, but definitely lacks intersection.
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could do half stars. It's an interesting enough essay, but definitely lacks intersection.
February 16, 2025
Personally I love Gloria Steinem so much. This is a bit old but I do think it’s interesting and still relevant nonetheless.
Something she said in her essay about how women who were now in a situation where they needed to start over, women of lower socioeconomic status did much better than those of higher socioeconomic status in terms of rebuilding and it reminds me that when we are struggling or a pay check from going hungry we have no other option but to change the situation.
Something she said in her essay about how women who were now in a situation where they needed to start over, women of lower socioeconomic status did much better than those of higher socioeconomic status in terms of rebuilding and it reminds me that when we are struggling or a pay check from going hungry we have no other option but to change the situation.
October 6, 2022
I usually really love Steinem’s work but this felt a bit off. I think approaching this from a leftist, intersectional feminist, 21st century pov it just isn’t as groundbreaking as it may have been in the mid 80s.
Not to say most of the points made aren’t true, I just think our priorities have shifted. It’s still a really interesting insight, however.
Not to say most of the points made aren’t true, I just think our priorities have shifted. It’s still a really interesting insight, however.
November 13, 2025
Great information for the time
This passage has some great information for the time it was written. Really riveting words and support for woman who were in various situations. It’s also important to not when this was written which makes all these concepts fairly new at the time and the verbiage that much more eye grabbing.
This passage has some great information for the time it was written. Really riveting words and support for woman who were in various situations. It’s also important to not when this was written which makes all these concepts fairly new at the time and the verbiage that much more eye grabbing.
June 27, 2021
Ms. Steinem offers a perspective on rich, kept women. This is definitely a case of golden handcuffs.
October 6, 2021
An intriguing look into dependency and sufficiency for rich women who don't 'own their wealth', and women empowerment. Be it by depending on their Dads or husbands for their lifestyle
January 3, 2022
Loving these classic Steinem singles. She rips!
January 22, 2022
Definitely dated and lacking intersectionality but interesting bit of history and political thought from the time!
December 9, 2022
I feel the same about this as I do about the other stuff I've read from Gloria Steinem - it was very interesting but very dated
May 31, 2023
A very short but a very powerful, although partially, essay. Does good for a quick read, however I didn’t find it as insightful a read.
January 23, 2024
There are many points here which needed to be expanded much further.
December 11, 2024
Loved the essay. Or at least the parts of it that I understood. Some, went above my head hah!
January 5, 2025
(3.5 Star Rating)
October 19, 2022
Short essay listened to as an audible.
September 19, 2025
This essay doesn't attack rich women, which I thought it was initially about. (I didn't really care either way, but it was like expecting apple juice and realizing it's orange juice. Not the end of the world though.) It talks about the troubles rich women have, which was surprising and interesting to explore. It shows how current (at the time it was written, but applies even now) hierarchies don't really benefit rich women either. It still emphasizes that rich women have a lot of privileges and benefits that more disadvantaged women don't have, but it also shows ways in which these wealthy women are really just like caged birds. Put on a pedestal and completely dependent, until replaced by a prettier and newer model.
January 12, 2022
If you approach this essay from the perspective that most of the experiences drawn upon by Steinem occurred in the 1970s, and thus recognise that it may feel dated, then I think it’s possible to appreciate the arguments and insight. Furthermore, seeing how the primary topics discusses are wealth and class, it lacks the intersectionality found in many modern feminist writings. However, I believe this is Steinem’s main message, feminism needs unity and this means considering the trials and tribulations of ALL women.
April 28, 2024
interesting, a light critique of the women that failed feminism
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews