In the last few weeks bloggers and other entertainment and gossip sites have been commenting on the pint-sized money seekers featured on the Tyra Banks Show last week. These mini money magnets were guests on the show along with their mothers regarding Tyra’s controversial topic – “Mothers who train their daughters to be gold diggers.”

The majority of commentators both on and off the show were disgusted by the fact that there are some mothers raising their daughters to only date a man based on his cash instead of his character. Yet, there were a few who agreed with the gold digging mothers and felt it was necessary to teach young girls early on that there is no romance without finance.

To be honest, I’m glad Tyra featured this topic and provoked a dialogue around it. When Kanye said it back in 2005 everyone was nodding their heads and singing along, but now when it is front and center and coming from the woman herself everyone is in an uproar.

Since I do not have any children I can not speak from a mothers point of view but I can speak from my mothers point of view and how she raised me. To sum it up, my mother always told me “just as easy as it is to love a poor a man you can love a rich one.” Now my mother was far from what you would call a “gold digger.” She is well educated with two advanced degrees and has her own money apart from my father. However, she has always been a firm believer that, “Life is hard, so don’t make it harder by having to struggle financially.”

Its obvious money can not buy happiness but it can give you options so I personally do not see anything wrong with instilling in our young girls to think beyond the fantasy of love and think about the financial stake that comes along with it.

As such, I do not agree with the concept of “gold digging” by any means. Women who prey on wealthy and successful men solely for their money with nothing to bring to the table are shameful and distasteful. I do however co-sign a woman who has her own and wants her mate to have the same if not more than her. Therefore, I think it is important that we erase the fear of being labeled as a “gold digger” if we choose to date in our tax bracket.

Because like Kanye said “I’m not saying you are a gold digger, you just not messing with no broke….”

– Rashana A. Hooks

* * * *
Rashana A. Hooks is a writer and soon-to-be authoress residing in New York City. She is also the publisher of the highly-acclaimed column style blog To Whom It May Concern at Rashanahooks.blogspot.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @rashanahooks and Facebook at To Whom It May Concern.