Pahl (2008) argued there is growing individualisation in finances within the family. What arrangement among partners is associated with greater equality?

• A. Pooling all money
• B. Keeping money separate
• C. Sharing debt
• D. Joint accounts

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how couples manage money and how that reflects gender equality. Keeping money separate means each partner controls their own income and spending rather than one shared pot. This arrangement signals greater personal autonomy and bargaining power for both people, reducing a single money pool’s potential to centre decision-making in one partner, and it aligns with the move toward individualised finances described by Pahl. Pooling money or using joint accounts concentrates financial control, which can reinforce traditional power dynamics, while separate finances supports equal, negotiated choices about money. Sharing debt isn’t the key point Pahl uses to mark equality in this context, so keeping finances separate best fits the idea.