The Pink Tax
There is a hidden cost to being born female-something
known as the "pink tax," or the extra expense of products
made specifically for women. In other words, women pay
more money to buy an equivalent product as men:
razors, dry cleaning, haircuts, and more. The department
of consumer affairs in New York City reviewed 800
products, and found that 42% of them were more expensive when they were marketed
towards women. A study in California concluded that women pay at least $1300 more
than men each year for the products they buy.
On womantax.tumblr, a French blogger regularly posts pictures of women's
products next to almost identical men's products, proving how the pink tax works visually.
One picture shows two almost identical children's toys, one in pink and one in blue. The
pink one costs 20% more.
Use the RACE strategy to answer the following question.
Explain what causes women to spend more on basic products than men.
R - Restate: Women spend more on basic products than men due to the "pink tax," which is the extra expense of products made specifically for women.
A - Answer: The pink tax exists because products marketed towards women are often priced higher than similar products marketed towards men. This can include items such as razors, dry cleaning, and haircuts. Research has shown that women pay more for these products, with some studies estimating that women pay at least $1300 more than men each year.
C - Cite Evidence: The department of consumer affairs in New York City reviewed 800 products and found that 42% of them were more expensive when marketed towards women. Additionally, a study in California concluded that women pay more for equivalent products compared to men.
E - Explain: The pink tax is perpetuated by companies that charge higher prices for products targeted towards women, taking advantage of the perceived value or necessity of these items. This leads to women spending more money on basic products than men simply because they are marketed specifically to women.