The “Pink Tax” raises concerns on gender inequity, which many women see as a tool that forces them to pay more than men.
Named as such because of the color that marketers deliberately used to market products to girls and women, the Pink Tax refers to the state-sanctioned price difference between female-specific products and goods that cater to any gender or those that are for men in particular.
Women still pay more compared to men when it comes to gender-specific items such as razors, makeup, dry cleaning, or even toys. With Women’s History Month almost at a close, there is still the issue of gender-based pricing. The society, the people, and the government have yet to resolve this together with equal pay for an equal degree of work.
Women face another issue of inequality with price discrimination. That is why many women find it harder than men to make ends meet. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also indicated that from 2004 to 2014, women only earned around 80 to 83 percent of the average earning of men. The fact that the issue has been around for decades already shows that there is still much to do when it comes to fighting for gender equality.
Women’s Products vs. Men’s Products
Back in 2015, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs published a study that looked at around 800 products of at least 90 brands. The proponents of the study looked at the differences in the price of items that cater to different genders. The research presented that on average, the products for females are 7% more expensive than similar products that cater men.
Some of the findings of the study saw that women’s clothes cost around 8 percent more than men’s clothing. Even apparels for girls are 4 percent more expensive than boy’s wear. On average, the toys and accessories for girls are 7 percent more costly than similar products for boys.
The personal care products of women are some of the most expensive according to the research. In fact, they are 13 percent more expensive than men’s personal care products.
Scope of the Pink Tax
In general and historically speaking, women already have the short end of the stick. What the Pink Tax does to the already unequal system is to put women at an even bigger disadvantage by covering broad range products, including clothing, cosmetics, and bedding.
What many large enterprises have brushed off as a system error, becomes a substantial issue that builds up in time. Indeed, it is an error in the current system to put women on a different plane with men when it comes to social, economic, and political standing.
Now is the time to address such issues especially because women are more empowered, aware, and inspired than ever. A difference in gender should not equate to a difference in price. There shouldn’t be an extra payment for the products geared towards women.
Legislation might help address the issue of Pink Tax. But an even stronger and reliable step is collective action from people to demand what is right. When businesses realize their markets have changes in the demands or their products are no longer selling, things will change.