There is a modern form of sexism robbing American women of thousands of dollars every year as all women have fallen victim to the pink tax. Basic goods and services marketed for and purchased by women are outrageously priced and taxed as a luxury, especially in comparison to the prices that men pay. This unequal taxation must be disposed of.
Products such as razors, shampoo and other women’s products are subject to discriminatory pricing. For example, dry cleaners openly charge significantly steeper rates for women’s items than men’s items for identical services, according to the Huffington Post.
At Walgreens, a generic five-blade disposable razor is sold at two different prices — men pay $8.99 and women pay $9.49 for the exact same product. The only difference between is pink packaging, which does not justify a 50 cent price difference.
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While 50 cents may sound next to nothing, it is important to consider just how many products marketed towards women are more expensive than those towards men.
On average, women have been found to spend $1,351 more on the same product than men, according to Forbes — that is even more than the newest iPhone.
In addition to price differences, women’s menstrual products are taxed as a luxury, according to USA Today. A woman pays the same tax rate for a box of tampons as a golf player pays for their country club membership, according to Fast Company.
The pink tax affects women in more ways than one. In some cases, low-income mothers with daughters struggle to supply their menstrual cycles with pads or tampons due to a price tag of periods that costs thousands of dollars during a single woman’s lifetime, according to the Huffington Post.
“It’s a modern form of sexism,” junior education major Rileigh McCoy said. “All anyone cares about is money. It’s frustrating because in a lot of cases, we’re talking about our health.”
In addition, the pink tax perpetuates gender norms and validates different prejudices. The fact that women have to pay significantly more for products enforces the idea of inferiority — the pink tax pushes the concept that women’s needs are inherently less vital and necessary.
The pink tax enforces gender roles by placing a premium on feminine maintenance. In reality, required feminine products should be less expensive than optional male-oriented products. The tax also does not leave much wiggle room for the changing definitions of gender and gender identity.
Women in politics are often affected by the pink tax, too. In recent political news, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York was publicly criticized after several sources cited her haircut as costing her $260. However, many women rose to her defense, many commenting on actually what a good price she had gotten. Many linked this event to the pink tax, declaring that Ocasio-Cortez was being unfairly chastised by her political opponents for a personal situation that is working against her and all women alike.
The economical sexism of the pink tax puts all women at a disadvantage, charging their necessities as luxuries. It perpetuates gender conformity and normalizes the masculine superiority complex. Just imagine what women could do with an extra $1,351 a month.
