OK, let’s address the elephant in the room – why do I need a pink screwdriver? Scratch that – why do we need pink anything? It’s a question that has baffled many, yet the answer remains elusive. We’re told it’s all about equality of opportunity, that women should be allowed to do anything men can… So, explain the pink to me because I really don’t get it.
Empowering or Patronising?
It’s not empowering; it’s patronising. Yet here we are, bombarded with pink products, celebrated as if they’re some kind of epiphany! In fact, it’s not just limited to pink! Check out the range of garden tools with a floral pattern that are marketed to women! Do we really need things to look pretty for us to use them? I think not!
Let’s be real – next time you see a lovely pink tool or gadget, designed especially for women (because, of course, we’d never be able to use the “real” thing, would we?), just remember that it’s a pile of disingenuous poop aimed at selling you something you already have.
Gender Stereotypes.
The truth is the marketing tactic of gendering products with stereotypical colours like pink is nothing but a ploy to capitalise on outdated gender norms. It perpetuates the myth that women need their own, watered-down versions of products traditionally associated with men. It’s insulting and unnecessary.
Naturally there will be some people that read this and believe I’m being controversial with these observations. However, just check out how many tool kits are branded to attract men with stereo-typical colours, like blue. Very, very few! Most are gender neutral colours like red or yellow, or just a practical black! Search Gardening tools for women on Amazon, then search Gardening tools for men! Notice the difference? The women’s are pink or floral, the men’s green and that’s it, not a patterned handle in sight!
Conclusion
To all those people out there still convinced that women need help to be equal – let me set the record straight. I’ve had my own drill for a quarter of a century. In fact, it’s one of the best presents I’ve ever received. But guess what? I DON’T NEED A PINK TOOLKIT.
So, let’s put an end to the pink tax and the patronising marketing tactics once and for all. It’s time to recognise that women are fully capable of using the same tools and products as men, without the need for a pink makeover. Equality isn’t about pink washing; it’s about recognising and respecting everyone’s abilities, regardless of gender. Do I need a pink screwdriver? No, you certainly do not!
So, next time you’re tempted by that pink tool kit or floral trowel, remember – you deserve better. Demand products that treat you as an equal, not as a stereotype. And let’s work together to break down the barriers of gendered marketing once and for all. Oh, and for the record, our Nail Divas salon, in Whitchurch, Cardiff, is in gender neutral black and white, got to love a monochrome!
