By Emily Duran '28
In CVS, there are two boxes of the same product: one is gray, and the other is pink. The products do the same thing, are made by the same company, but their prices are different. The gray one costs five dollars, while the pink one is six dollars. This is what we call the pink tax, where products and services marketed towards women are more expensive than those targeted towards men.
The pink tax began in 1994 when research showed that 64% of businesses in five major cities were charging more to wash women’s shirts. The reason the pink tax exists is because of product discrimination and product differentiation. This means companies differentiate their products from similar ones in order to make their product more appealing and appear distinct.
Women pay more for products than men due to the pink tax. Razors, face wash, toys, clothing, toiletries, services, personal care products, and deodorants are just a few of the many items that are affected by the pink tax. Every product and service functions the same regardless of gender, yet brands charge more for the same product in a different color or scent. A study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs found that, on average, women’s products cost 7% more than similar products for men. Women pay more for items that are either the same or very similar to men’s.
The pink tax also affects women in low-income households, as it means they spend more money on basic necessities when they could be saving money. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty, where women struggle to rise in society due to disadvantages like the pink tax.
Another study found that, on average, women live longer than men, meaning women would need more money for retirement savings. Yet with an average 13% upcharge on all targeted feminine products, women are spending more money than necessary, especially when similar products for men cost less. This causes an imbalance in retirement savings, as women find it harder to save money due to both the gender pay gap and the pink tax.
Currently, there is no federal ban on the pink tax, though the Pink Tax Repeal Act has been introduced in Congress. Unfortunately, the legislation has not gained enough support to pass through the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Women face many disadvantages in the workplace and in society, and the pink tax is yet another discriminatory policy that affects them. The pink tax is a serious issue that impacts all women in the United States, and it must be banned as a first step toward achieving gender equality.
All Photos Courtesy of Getty Images
Edited by Kavya Chacko '26, Catherine Polatidis '26, and Ms. Brillant
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