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8 Products You Won’t Believe Cost More For Women Than For Men

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bristol chapter.

1. Pens

Women pay more for luxury pink ballpoint pens.

(Photo Credit: The Independent)

 

2. Clothing

Same design. Same colour. Same material. Same brand. Not the same price. You will pay £7 for a man’s T-shirt (on the left) but £14 for a women’s T-shirt (on the right). Oh Topshop, how could you do this to me? I have been so loyal.

 

(Image Credit: Topshop) 

 

3. Shampoo

Behind the flashy packaging, shampoo is really just soap and water. Yet, according to a study by the The Washington Post: “Women, on average, paid 48 percent more for goods like shampoo, conditioner and gel.”

 

(Image Credit: The Poke)

 

4. Underwear

The majority of women today will wear some form of bra to appear “decent” in society. To add insult to injury, just buying a pair of knickers is more expensive than the man’s equivalent of briefs. See Calvin Klein for proof.

 

(Photo Credit: Calvin Klein) 

 

5. Toys

Even from a young age, girls are made to pay more than boys; at Argos, parents fork out £5 more for a girls’ scooter. It seems that the premise that girls need to spend more money to enjoy themselves is drummed into us from a young age.

 

6. Shaving foam

I’m not going to lie. I may have used my boyfriend’s shaving foam once or twice when my own had run out. The results were completely the same. I cut myself around the ankle and behind the knees as per usual. My hairs grew back thicker within 24 hours, as per usual. Not sure why I need to pay £3 instead of £1 just for the flowery smell. 

 

(Image Credit: Boots)

 

7. Babies’ blankets

At Mothercare girls may have to pay £55 more to stay snuggled up.

 

8. Chocolate

Ok, so after reading these ten ridiculous injustices, I’m in need of a little comfort. In the form of chocolate. I wouldn’t blame you if you did too. So, I reach for a bar, bought from Tesco. A Cadbury Flake. A bar specifically targeted for women and advertised as a “sexy” chocolate bar. The fact that it is small, fragile and stick thin is disconcerting if the bar is supposed to form any reflection of women at all.

(Video Credit: Youtube) 

It’s a shame really. I could have bought a Yorkie at the same price at 60p per bar. I would have got more for my money.  It weighs in at 53g, instead of the paltry 32g Flake (an excuse for a chocolate bar). But at Tesco the label clearly read “Not for Girls.” So I didn’t buy it. Perhaps next time I will go and buy a Yorkie. And a man’s T-shirt. And shaving foam for men. That way, I might have enough money to buy those “luxury” sanitary items every month.

 

(Image Credit: Evidence Based Marketing) 

Bethan is Deputy Lifestyle Editor for Her Campus Bristol.Loves: yoga, reading, the mountains, bonfires and cadbury chocolate!Hates: the rain, getting up early in the morning, pigeons.Recent favourite read: 'How to Be a Woman' by Caitlin Moran
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