I saw an interesting article in the New York Daily News that affirmed what I already believed: There’s a Girl Tax on items marketed in pink versus blue. The post highlights both adult items like razors and kids stuff pretty much across the board.
I’ve ranted previously about Nerf Rebelle, Lego Friends, and the many other “boys toys” that brands have decided needed to be girlied up. I found it odd that girls somehow couldn’t play with primary colored Legos and needed to coaxed into them with marketing. Add to that that the “girls’ toys” often cost more and you’ve taken it from odd to full blown offensive.
I saw the Girl Tax in effect just yesterday. Both Deal Kids love Nerf and Deal Kid wanted to give his sister a Nerf blaster for Christmas. The $15 Rebelle looked like this:
$14.99 at Target, regular price
Just out of curiousity I wondered what the “regular” $15 Nerf looks like and I found this:
$14.99 at Target, regular price
Which toy would YOU rather get for Christmas?
Fortunately Deal Girl is not a fan of pink so our choice was a no-brainer. But why can’t the “girl” Nerf kick as much booty as the “boy” one?
Have you noticed any egregious examples of the Girl Tax lately? Let’s shine some light on this issue- sunshine is the best disinfectant.
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Much of the pink vs blue is true but one caveat is women’s razors. They may be pink but men’s razors have a greater angle to the blades in many cases. The blades are the same but set at different angles for facial us versus body use. If you use the men’s blades on say your legs or, well, other areas of the body you may suffer more nicks and razor burn than when you the pink razors.
Interesting. I’ve never had a problem but can see what you’re saying.
I can’t say I’ve ever noticed this, but, seeing as your pointing it out, it seems to me likes boys get more firepower and girls get to accessorize. From a production standpoint, it probably costs the same. I mean, roughly the same amount of plastic, fewer nerf rounds but more differentiation.
You could make a similar argument that boys for more nerf darts rather than getting a stylish holster.
Ok, out of the weeds: I would guess that American Girl would be a good example of the girl tax, as well, right? Except that there is no 1 to 1 comparison?
Oh, don’t get me started about American Girl! At $100+ that doll better have magical powers. I especially notice the difference having a boy and then a girl. It’s insidious and goes both ways: for instance Deal Kid loved Dora and Deal Girl Jake and the Neverland pirates but I couldn’t find either even a Unisex T-shirt. So I guess only boys can play pirate and leaning Spanish is girly?
If you are willing to pay $2 the price will usually soon be $2 for everyone . If no one will pay more than $1 the price will likely remain $1 . If nobody will pay more for the girl version the prices will come down . It will be an uphill battle without doubt but your movement may gain momentum .
Solidarity !
Sing it, sister!
Saw story this am that @ target a boys scooter was $15 and girls was $44…….Target said it was a data entry error….yeah, just like their data breach
If “Data” means “our data says that you’ll pay more for pink”, maybe.