A note on gender pricing

Little-known fact that ladies pay more on the same thing as men. It's called gender pricing, and the simple reason the same stuff for girls that costs more than guys is simply because companies understand that women will pay more, for less. It's because more so than men, simple toiletries and beauty products are almost an requirement to be a women in this society.

A 2010 study by the Consumer Reports estimate that women could be paying up to 50% on basic products then men. Items included shampoo, razors, and deodorant. The argument by the companies is that women's products have more scent, specialization, and last longer. Here is a basic chart: (He paid, she paid)

What the CR concluded:

"Bottom line

Try ignoring gender labeling and buy the cheaper version. "You're paying for the perceived value of the package," says Allan Gorman, owner of Brandspa, a company that helps make brands more desirable. "Can you really tell the difference? Most of us can't."

Though while many states (California being the first in 1996) have bans against gender pricing on certain things like haircuts and dry cleaners, there is no overarching federal law in the US that bans such discrimination---the only law is on jobs and housing. In one article by Stuff.co.nz it was revealed that in certain countries, like New Zealand, the unfair pricing stays the same.

"One salon charged women from $75 to $107 for a cut and blowdry, and men from $59 to $79. Another charged women from $85 to $130 for a cut and style, but men only $75 to $90, and a third $62 for a woman and $44 for a man."---Sometimes it's hard to be a woman, Elle Hunt.

These subtle differences add up. According to Forbes, gender pricing could cost about 1,400 dollars more than men in hidden fees and extra costs.

But the most disturbing of all is that woman pay more on health insurance--that's right--for simply being a woman. Not for maternity reasons, either. The practice is called gender rating and it's in use simply because insurance companies understand that woman go to the doctor more often than men.

Man, I just want to shave my legs. I use men's razors and lady deodorant. I don't want to have to pay an extra amount on the same stuff boys use just because I'm a girl. And I definitely shouldn't be paying more for my health insurance simply because women statistically use it more. Isn't that a little backwards? So we have to buy more even though we're paid less? It's tough, and it's understood, but there aren't a lot of people trying to change anything about it. But I guess women have always been fighting an uphill battle, and what the hell, we've made it this far, haven't we?