The All-Encompassing Injustice of the Pink Tax
Written by Jackie Wang | Edited by Adrita Yousuf
In the United States, one of the most prominent examples of gender inequality lies in something mundane and everyday — shopping. Whether this be in shopping malls for clothing, pharmacies for grooming products, or really any big-box store’s aisles, the pink tax is stunningly visible. Although the name suggests an actual tax on anything pink, the reality is much more ridiculous; products for females are often sold at a higher price point than products for their male counterparts.
Pink tax products are not items solely for females. Instead, the products are more widely defined as anything targeted towards women. For instance, lotions that are scented rose, coconut, and vanilla are common victims of the pink tax when compared to unscented or musky-scented ones. Another frequent example of the pink tax is with razors.
Kristin Myers, Editor-in-Chief of The Balance, discusses a study conducted about the pink tax. “The most expensive product that is marketed towards women is razor cartridges. They cost almost 25% more.” This disparity in the difference of prices in male- and female-targeted products is not only common but also most evident for personal care items.
In a specific example, Schick Hydro razor blades sell in different colors. Yet, for essentially the same item in a different color, the price difference is gapping. Cartridges in purple packaging — targeted towards women — cost $18.49, while the blue-package cartridges for men were only $14.99.
Additionally, the pink tax affects females of all ages; children are impacted just as hard as adults. Typical “girl toys,” such as dolls or elementary cosmetic sets, have been found to cost 13 percent more than “boy toys.”
These are all examples of high-priced products. However the unfortunate pink tax extends beyond these. In fact, both goods and services are impacted. One study showed this price gap with dry cleaners. Two researchers, one male and one female, requested a quote at multiple dry cleaners in New York City for the same white cotton button-up shirt. However, instead of being charged the same price for the same items, the male received lower prices. The study revealed that “more than half of the dry cleaners charged the female staff member at least twice as much to clean the shirt. Some even charged her three times as much.”
Although the pink tax may seem to be the representation of the ugliness of capitalism, recent years in the 21st century have brought reform and mindset shifts about the necessity for gender equality. New York, for example, has placed a ban on the pink tax. In former state governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2021 fiscal budget, a requirement that “certain service providers [need] to provide price lists for standard services upon request” was added. While the wording of this addition is vague, the fine for violation is $250 for first-time offenders and double that for repeat offenders.
With New York stepping up to the podium and leading the cause for change, many Americans are hopeful that the effects of the pink tax will diminish. In late 2022, CVS announced price cuts, specifically 25 percent on certain menstrual products, with the intent to minimize the financial impact women face from the pink tax. Yet, even with this progress, women are still wishing for more change that extends beyond products. A recent estimate showed that even in the most gender-equal state, Maryland, the year of 2043 was the estimate for full equality. Without a desire for reform, the current status quo will linger, and, with it, carry devastating effects that reverberate in the financial pockets of women.
- Craig, A. T. (2022, March 17). Pink tax study: Women pay 13% more for gender-marketed products. Khou.com. https://www.khou.com/article/money/consumer/pink-tax-study/285-dd515440-3a09-4c46-afa1-ef63268e8145
- Meyersohn, N. (2022, Oct 12) CVS drops prices on its tampons and will pay the ‘pink tax’. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/12/business/cvs-tampon-tax-period-products/index.html
- Wakeman, J. (2020, Aug 6) Pink Tax: The Real Cost of Gender-Based Pricing. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-real-cost-of-pink-tax#The-pink-tax
- Hoffman, M. (2020, Oct 1) New York ban on the pink tax goes into effect. Creditcards https://www.creditcards.com/to-her-credit/new-york-bans-pink-tax/
- Hoffman, M. (2021, Jan 11) The Pink Tax: How women pay more for pink. Bankrate https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/pink-tax-how-women-pay-more/
