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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Pointlessly gendered products

65 replies

Gingerkittykat · 13/10/2019 07:02

I use a CPAP machine and my mask split so I looked online for a spare part because it's easier than going to the hospital.

I found a whole sleep apnea machine for her which is a nice white colour with a pretty pink light and flowers, as opposed to the black one. Of course the "male" product is the default or regular machine.

You can also buy a mask for her which is absolutely identical in design but it says it is has elegant pink straps to support your chosen hairstyle. It does say it is slightly smaller than the male mask but since you can choose your size anyway this is irrelevant.

At least the price is the same and there is no pink tax.

OP posts:
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OvaHere · 13/10/2019 12:54

For example: Apple sell millions of their 'rose gold' iPhone, and it's not men buying them (well ... except for you know smile

My 15yr old DS has a rose gold iPhone. I was a bit surprised that he wasn't bothered by the colour. We bought it 2nd hand from Game and he wanted the biggest memory for the best price which was the pink one. I was rather pleased that practicality won out, maybe there's hope yet!

aliasundercover · 13/10/2019 13:11

Good lad. Yes, there is still hope.

Make sure Mermaids don't get hold of him though, that's probably enough evidence that he's really a girl!

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 13/10/2019 17:18

for the person who mentioned birthday cards I know a friend got some great kids cards from somewhere but unfortunately can't remember the company now.

I tried to buy brights non pink or blue clothes for a newborn and found it really impossible in the small town high street where I live.

OP posts:
HandsOffMyRights · 13/10/2019 17:27

Thanks Ginger

If I was any good I'd design them myself.

I can find basic 'amusing' animal cards, but the problem is when you want sister, son, grandmother etc. that's when the stereotypes kick in. Ageism too - my dad often jokes he doesn't fish or play golf (he's more into listening to Spotify) while my mother doesn't do flowers or afternoon tea etc. she's too busy up the rock bar!

Maybe Sandy Draws Badly can bring out a range...

theproudgeek · 13/10/2019 17:30

The Lego is interesting, as the design and creativity of the girls stuff is very good, better than some of the more traditional stuff, so the boys are missing out. Plus, it's got a much wider colour palette (along with an excess of purples and pinks), so much 'normal' Lego is variations in grey. But I know one, generally sensible, bloke who won't buy it for his son (or himself) as it doesn't have traditional mini-figs so it's not 'proper Lego' even if he likes the rest of a set.

Pota2 · 13/10/2019 17:58

Chocolate
Tissues
Pens
Shower gel/anything scented

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 13/10/2019 18:08

Re Lego. My DDs love Lego Friends because it's cool sets. My 6yo realised that her people for her Lifeboat station were different to her people for her boat (Friends). She thought it was very silly girla needed different shaped people.

As toddlers they had a pull along puppy. It was also available in pink and white. The normal puppy was shades of brown- dog coloured.

BrendaLast · 13/10/2019 18:13

but the problem is when you want sister, son, grandmother etc. that's when the stereotypes kick in

That's marketing demographics. I don't understand what the point is of card which announce the recipient's familial relationship to the giver. They are usually pretty naff anyway but I bet there is a strong correlation between the people who like those sort of cards and people who are happy with gendered stereotypes.

People who aren't happy with gendered stereotypes are far more likely to buy a blank card which is relevant to the recipient's actual interests and likes than a card that says "niece, nephew, sister, brother, whatever. If manufacturers had to make designated relationships cards to cover all interests I bet there would be loads of unsold cards.

codenameduchess · 13/10/2019 18:34

Pens, razors, shower gel/soap - the 'for women' ones are always more expensive (unless you're looking at the stupid beard oil type sets, who is buying that shit though?).

Candles annoy me, why are we told that all women want fucking candles?! 'Gifts for her' with shelf upon shelf of scented candles 😡

The baby/child gendered everything has reached ridiculous proportions, I'm pregnant with DC2, sex unknown and the unisex/neutral clothes and products available is minuscule compared to the endless amounts of pink and blue crap.

Original poster
Gingerkittykat · 13/10/2019 18:43

I'll just leave the skeleton here.

I just asked my daughter who did a course in graphic design and spends hours producing digital images if she fancied setting up a feminist greeting card company. She said no because she would end up doing most of the labour. At least I have taught her what her worth is and how to stand up for herself.

Pointlessly gendered products
OP posts:
TooMinty · 13/10/2019 18:46

My problem is also that I can't wear men's clothes no matter how much I prefer the colours and quality - I'm only 5ft tall. I can sometimes wear boy's clothes but I do have waist/hips/bum ratio of an adult woman so it's not always possible to fit in clothes designed for straight up and down 12 year old boys. I'd rather have khaki/navy/grey petite women's clothes in non see through material!

Biancadelrioisback · 13/10/2019 18:54

I was bought a pink tool kit when I bought by house. It's great as I didn't have one but all the tools are pink and in a pink carry case. I don't like the colour pink so was quite annoyed. DH has a big, black manly tool box but it was empty so he took my pink tools and put them all in there. It's great when his mates ask to borrow a hammer etc and get my dinky pink one.

MockersthefeMANist · 13/10/2019 18:56

Sometimes, gendered products can benefit in mysterious ways. Did you know the first sports bra was two jockstraps sewn together.

(Presumably not previously used.)

tilder · 13/10/2019 19:08

56MockersthefeMANist I am struggling to get beyond the thought that they may have been used!

Dd was given a world map poster. She wants to travel. Its in shades of pink. Even the sea. Dh was a bit Confused when I made comments about gender stereotyping.

Tehmina2 · 13/10/2019 19:23

I actually like pink. I own a pink mini toolkit.
& a rose gold iPhone.
My work bag is pink & rose gold.
My bathroom walls are pink.
Etc

But I wouldn't expect every woman to like pink.

TooMinty · 13/10/2019 19:44

I have incredibly pale skin and really dark hair. Only really strong pinks suit me. I don't mind wearing pink if I choose to and it's the right shade. But I object to only being able to buy pink pjs or pink slippers or a baby pink hoodie - it's not a practical colour, especially in winter.

Doobigetta · 13/10/2019 20:01

I like pink as well. It suits me and I buy a lot of pink clothes, so I’m quite happy to buy pink stuff to match my clothes. You can have my feminist card back if you want.

Can’t stand the lego friends shit though. Really annoys me.

OhMsBeliever · 13/10/2019 20:08

It's not the fact that you like pink, it's the fact that everything for female must be pink. I don't need pink razors, or pens, or tools. Like we mustn't like any other colour.

I can look at a globe without needing it to be pinkified. I can shave with the blue razors I buy. I can write with the black or blue pens I normally buy. Why do they have to be special womanly ones that are no different in any way? Why are they marketed to women? Why not just another choice of colour for anyone of any sex to buy?

codenameduchess · 13/10/2019 20:25

Exactly what @OhMsBeliever said. It's not about liking pink, it's the choice being made for is as women and then being made to pay more for the needlessly pink things we are told we must buy.

noblegiraffe · 13/10/2019 20:28

And yet the areas in which we do actually need stuff aimed at women, like seatbelts in cars or body armour for police officers, there’s suddenly a disinterest in providing this and the men’s stuff will do.

littlbrowndog · 13/10/2019 20:37

True that noble

waspfig · 13/10/2019 20:54

Halloween costumes!

In Aldi there was a 'boys skeleton costume' which as you'd expect was a black onesie with white bones on it.

Then there was the 'girls skeleton costume'. Black top attached to pink tutu with see through parts and glitter all over it. Confused

Why????

Ratonastick · 13/10/2019 22:24

There was an ad in the tube a couple of years ago that I loved. It was for vitamins and was about kids being active and imaginative. In the ad, the little girl was dressed as a cowboy and the little boy was dressed as a chef. No stereotypes, no handwringing about identity, it was kids being kids. And it was just so fucking cool.

Singletomingle · 13/10/2019 23:27

How would you solve something like the seatbelt issue? Obviously an issue but surely unless you tailor every seatbelt to each driver a large number of the population will be disadvantaged.

FilthyBiscuit · 13/10/2019 23:35

Noblegiraffe has it. Exactly that. I'd wear a pink seatbelt if it had been made to fit me, a woman.

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