Girl Is Confused About Why Female Clothes Cost More On Animal Crossing, Asks Nintendo For An Explanation
InterviewThe pink tax is everywhere. As a female consumer, I am well aware of the fact that products marketed towards me are more expensive than those marketed for men. This upcharge is not only frustrating, it breeds the already notorious gender inequality. Worst, it starts from an early age when children are not yet familiar with the complex societal problems waiting ahead.
One 7-year-old girl has experienced it firsthand while playing the game Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch. But when it was time to purchase a new outfit, the girl was confused by the fact it cost more than her brother’s. She asked her mom Ashley, the author of the mindful parenting blog “Raising Brain,” who had no proper answer to that.
And it’s when the 7-year-old took matters into her own hands and decided to pen a letter to the megacorporation itself. Read the full story below that proves just how much awareness one small note from one small person can create!
Frustrated by how much more the princess dress cost than a boys’ outfit, the 7-year-old girl pens a letter to Nintendo
Image credits: raisingbrain
Bored Panda contacted Ashley Bobst, mom of the incredibly bright 7-year-old Oakley who wrote her viral letter to Nintendo. Ashley told us that “Oakley is a very strong-minded young lady who is very aware and empathetic to the social issues we share with her and allow her exposure to. She has a keen eye for injustice and isn’t afraid to point it out, as my husband and I are very outspoken about things that we see as not being right.”
“As parents we tend to take the Socratic approach when they ask about something that they don’t think is right and instead of influencing their view points, we ask them questions such as, ‘Do you think this is fair, why or why not?’ and then we always ask ‘What would you like to do about this?’”
Mom Ashley, who is the author of a mindful parenting blog, shared the story on her Facebook where it resonated with many people
Image credits: raisingbrain
Mom Ashley, who’s a nurse by trade, said she’s “fortunate to be able to stay home and homeschool my two children, 9 and 7. I volunteer from home on my own to help connect people in our community with resources via Facebook community pages and working with our local Social Services Department and Food Pantries. My children see me doing this, and naturally inquire as to how they can help.”
Ashley feels that “giving them the opportunity to live in and be involved in our society naturally from a young age will provide them with an education unlike any institutionalized environment.” She’s also “a firm believer of behavioral modeling when setting the foundation for communication and education; children will naturally follow a trusted person’s lead.”
When asked about how big of a problem the pink tax is, Ashley said that it’s surely a big issue and seemingly unavoidable anywhere. “We have run into this issue with something as simple as basic colored t-shirts needed for a play, my son’s was cheaper than the girl’s version of the same concept. For myself, things like razors, shampoos, etc. have always stood out to me,” the mom and mindful parenting blog author concluded.
Image credits: raisingbrain
To find out more about the pink tax and how it affects women, Bored Panda reached out to Angie, the founder and owner of “Blue Tax Body + Care.” It is a mission-first business committed to raising awareness and money to stand up to the pink tax. All of their products include a 13% blue tax which is donated each month to a different organization working for gender equity.
And here’s the letter this little girl wrote to Nintendo
Image credits: raisingbrain
Angie explained that the pink tax is a tremendous problem “for any woman who doesn’t want to pay an extra $1351 on average for products she uses that are comparable to similar men’s products. And it is a big problem for any man who believes in equal rights for women.”
Yet, “the problem becomes even bigger when you consider that women are still paid, on average, $.82 for every $1.00 men make. Women make less money and pay more at the register. That’s a big problem if we want to live in an equitable society,” Angie explained.
Image credits: Animal Crossing
According to Angie, the most atrocious thing about the pink tax is that it is not obvious. “Companies charge more for women’s products because they are getting away with it and it increases their profits. Most people aren’t aware that the pink tax exists, but once you start looking for it, you will find it everywhere, from cradle to grave: pacifiers, toys, school supplies, personal care products, nonprescription medicines, and the list goes on and on. And that is just considering the classic pink tax.”
Meanwhile, “when you consider women also need to purchase feminine hygiene products that are taxed as luxury items in most states and are bombarded by a cosmetic industry that tells them they need their products to feel good about themselves, women are shelling out a lot of money just because they are women. It shouldn’t cost more to be a woman.”
Image credits: Animal Crossing
The good news is that there are many ways people can stand up to the pink tax, “you just have to find what feels right for you,” Angie said. “On a personal level, you can refuse to purchase products that cost more for women, purchase products that are blue but do the same job, or purchase products from businesses that pledge gender-neutral pricing. In our capitalist society, where you choose to spend your dollars matters.”
But if you want to make a broader impact, Angie suggests writing to companies that are engaging in gender-based price discrimination, writing to your legislators, signing petitions, talking about the pink tax with people you know in person or on social media. “If you want to go all in, start a business whose mission is to pay back the pink tax like I did with Blue Tax Body + Care,” she concluded.
Many people praised the bright little girl for spotting the pink tax problem and raising awareness
Same here. I really wanted to know how they respond and if they listend and changed it, or are at least planing to eventually change it; or if they used some BS excuse (maybe the same the mom did) and how the girl reacted to their excuse
Load More Replies...What's with the people going out of their way to assume the little girl couldn't possibly have done this? To me, it seems perfectly within the capacity of a girl even younger than that.
Some people just don't understand the capacity of children at that age.
Load More Replies...Oh, wow! I literally just asked the question why peaches crown was 12,000 bells yesterday. I just didn’t pay it any thought.
Demi, I see it quite differently... By the time I was 7 ( going on 30) I was quite outspoken, as well. I am pleased to see her parents foster her analytical skills rather than encouraging her to take the path of least resistance. As for your comment, I am quite certain you don't know everything and where you haven't met either the mother or daughter, I'm presuming, there is no value in such an attack. Another important part of the learning process is to get as many facts as possible before forming an opinion. Her daughter is still building that skill set...that's ok... she is only 7 !
I was full of thoughts and curiosity at that age too and probably would have asked my Dad the same question
Load More Replies...Sounds to me like the guys here are saying pink tax doesn't exist
Without Nintendo's response, this is just another "I have such an awesome, smart kid" post to me.
Gotta love all these men feeling threatened by addressing a problem that has nothing to do with them.
it honestly depends. do the creators of the outfits make the price point or does nintendo?
There are thousands if not more outfits in this game, not 4. You can literally make your own as its popular to design robes after anime characters and have your own cosplayer. This whole comment section sounds like a bunch of people who don't even know the whole mechanics but look for something to be offended about. Just find a pierated version..
Why not typing such reaction straight into Nintendo's customer support area ? Take then a screenshot and we know the child is going to be possibly heard. Think the post is someway made-up: the mother talks well but has no idea in fact on how to get in actual touch with Nintendo.
Ok first of all, it’s more expensive peaches dress is the only “female” clothing that is more expensive that the others. If you look at any other dress, you’ll see it costs average price. Peaches dress is more expensive because shes a princess and the crown is a damn crown, not a hat. The dress is more expensive than the overalls because it’s a dress, not overalls. (Downvotes in 3..2..1.....)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...prices in this game are adjusted based on popularity, so one day it might be less and more another. It is an adjusted price. If in animal crossing it costs more, it is because of the popularity. This isnt sexism, this is higher price for items in higher demand to make more money. Also the myth that women earn 77 cents or 82 cents per every dollar men make is long debunked and it hurts the credibilty of the writer here when they put that BS number in that would flunk you in any econ course in college. Remember that number is based on all earnings. But when you adjust for part time and full time, as well as fields, they are about the same give or take 3 cents, either way depending on the field. The only two exceptions are acting, and Tech Jobs in California only, where women are paid less for the same job.
OK, but did you ever stop to think WHY the Princess Peach outfit is more popular? Take a look at the list of clothing in the above thread: Mario clothes, Peach clothes, Wario clothes and Luigi clothes---three different boyish outfits and one girly outfit. By having only one girly item they are being quite manipulative. Why can't there be as many girly choices as boyish choices?
Load More Replies...It's most likely because girls items sell less often than girls. Supply and demand
How is it contradictory? The girl likes princess peaches dress. She doesn't feel she should have to pay more for it. It's a game. Its not realistic clothing with realistic fabric. It could just as easily cost the same as the mario outfit.
Load More Replies...Until there is a cheap dress option... the player is forced to buy an expensive dress or no dress.
Load More Replies...How about a 7 year old that feels shafted because they are overcharged... This is directly impacting her.
Load More Replies...Ya know, I initially thought that too - that the Princess stuff was higher tier & more valuable than regular Mario's... but after thinking about it, that's BS. There should be a lower & higher tier for each gender.
Load More Replies...You would be surprised how perceptive even 5 year olds can be!
Load More Replies...Believe me, I have (apart from the price I also hate the pink and flowery design) and I cut my skin and got s rash... Men's razors aren't good for sensitive skin.
Load More Replies...Same here. I really wanted to know how they respond and if they listend and changed it, or are at least planing to eventually change it; or if they used some BS excuse (maybe the same the mom did) and how the girl reacted to their excuse
Load More Replies...What's with the people going out of their way to assume the little girl couldn't possibly have done this? To me, it seems perfectly within the capacity of a girl even younger than that.
Some people just don't understand the capacity of children at that age.
Load More Replies...Oh, wow! I literally just asked the question why peaches crown was 12,000 bells yesterday. I just didn’t pay it any thought.
Demi, I see it quite differently... By the time I was 7 ( going on 30) I was quite outspoken, as well. I am pleased to see her parents foster her analytical skills rather than encouraging her to take the path of least resistance. As for your comment, I am quite certain you don't know everything and where you haven't met either the mother or daughter, I'm presuming, there is no value in such an attack. Another important part of the learning process is to get as many facts as possible before forming an opinion. Her daughter is still building that skill set...that's ok... she is only 7 !
I was full of thoughts and curiosity at that age too and probably would have asked my Dad the same question
Load More Replies...Sounds to me like the guys here are saying pink tax doesn't exist
Without Nintendo's response, this is just another "I have such an awesome, smart kid" post to me.
Gotta love all these men feeling threatened by addressing a problem that has nothing to do with them.
it honestly depends. do the creators of the outfits make the price point or does nintendo?
There are thousands if not more outfits in this game, not 4. You can literally make your own as its popular to design robes after anime characters and have your own cosplayer. This whole comment section sounds like a bunch of people who don't even know the whole mechanics but look for something to be offended about. Just find a pierated version..
Why not typing such reaction straight into Nintendo's customer support area ? Take then a screenshot and we know the child is going to be possibly heard. Think the post is someway made-up: the mother talks well but has no idea in fact on how to get in actual touch with Nintendo.
Ok first of all, it’s more expensive peaches dress is the only “female” clothing that is more expensive that the others. If you look at any other dress, you’ll see it costs average price. Peaches dress is more expensive because shes a princess and the crown is a damn crown, not a hat. The dress is more expensive than the overalls because it’s a dress, not overalls. (Downvotes in 3..2..1.....)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies...prices in this game are adjusted based on popularity, so one day it might be less and more another. It is an adjusted price. If in animal crossing it costs more, it is because of the popularity. This isnt sexism, this is higher price for items in higher demand to make more money. Also the myth that women earn 77 cents or 82 cents per every dollar men make is long debunked and it hurts the credibilty of the writer here when they put that BS number in that would flunk you in any econ course in college. Remember that number is based on all earnings. But when you adjust for part time and full time, as well as fields, they are about the same give or take 3 cents, either way depending on the field. The only two exceptions are acting, and Tech Jobs in California only, where women are paid less for the same job.
OK, but did you ever stop to think WHY the Princess Peach outfit is more popular? Take a look at the list of clothing in the above thread: Mario clothes, Peach clothes, Wario clothes and Luigi clothes---three different boyish outfits and one girly outfit. By having only one girly item they are being quite manipulative. Why can't there be as many girly choices as boyish choices?
Load More Replies...It's most likely because girls items sell less often than girls. Supply and demand
How is it contradictory? The girl likes princess peaches dress. She doesn't feel she should have to pay more for it. It's a game. Its not realistic clothing with realistic fabric. It could just as easily cost the same as the mario outfit.
Load More Replies...Until there is a cheap dress option... the player is forced to buy an expensive dress or no dress.
Load More Replies...How about a 7 year old that feels shafted because they are overcharged... This is directly impacting her.
Load More Replies...Ya know, I initially thought that too - that the Princess stuff was higher tier & more valuable than regular Mario's... but after thinking about it, that's BS. There should be a lower & higher tier for each gender.
Load More Replies...You would be surprised how perceptive even 5 year olds can be!
Load More Replies...Believe me, I have (apart from the price I also hate the pink and flowery design) and I cut my skin and got s rash... Men's razors aren't good for sensitive skin.
Load More Replies...
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