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Here's a radical thought. Maybe men and women would get along better if companies and institutions stopped yelling about how different they are? I get it, everyone has their own opinion, and it's a sensitive topic but come on. Toilet paper for women? A cookbook for men? Some things are just absurd. And you can find them on the subreddit r/PointlesslyGendered. This online community is dedicated to collecting examples of the division between the two genders our society so desperately insists on, and over the years have gotten themselves quite a load. Here are some of the worst ones.

#1

Dinosaurs Are For Boys

Dinosaurs Are For Boys

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Jayne Kyra
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The correct response towards anyone meddling in what is none of their business.

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#2

I Feel This Belongs Here

I Feel This Belongs Here

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Gender-tailored marketing messages are fairly common, but research shows they can have the opposite effect and repel consumers, especially women. In fact, they often backfire to the point of dissuading women from choosing a product they would have considered if the company hadn't talked about their gender so much, a study by Harvard Business School found.

The reason for this lies in human nature. People tend to resist being categorized (or made to feel like they are unwillingly reduced to a single identity) particularly when the product they're being nudged toward evokes a stereotype about their gender.

#3

Random Low Key Pic From 4chan

Random Low Key Pic From 4chan

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Bobert Robertson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if I say I want a lady toy Id get bashed for objectifying women... #doublestandards

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Christa Cope
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am female and secretly always wanted the hot wheel instead of the Barbie. I had Barbies, no hot wheels. never was brave enough to speak up. I collect hot wheels now.

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always enjoyed the "Male" toys because they were different and all the boys I had as friends enjoyed playing with my toys! We always want what we don't have! Kids are curious and we shouldn't put limits to them!

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Cassie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, they didn't give you the option of "Barbie or Hotwheels" so I always told my dad to tell them I was a boy so I could get my Hotwheels car.

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Sam Mix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worker let the woman choose which toy, no gender implied. The woman customer made it awkward by asking the worker to assign a gender to the giveaway toys. The customer was a jerk.

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Damo Lee Park
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always asked the kid what toy THEY wanted when I was allowed to work the register.

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B00ts 2.0
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

good on the worker bro. also ¨dont we all¨ lmao. that woman is just sexist

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Xylle Flora
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was good on her, I hate barbies so if I'd only had the option for the barbie toy that would be assuming and rude

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Avery Day
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dress barbie in army fatigue and put a machine gun in her bendable arms

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NinjaWolfy94
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, when my mum would take my brother and I to Maccas, they would only ask 'boy toy or girl toy' or something similar (thankfully wouldn't just ASSUME when looking at us and give us one of each :) ) If we had seen the toys on a poster or screen before hand, we'd choose which one we wanted then, and if we hadn't, my mum would say one of each anyway. Depending on the toy, my bro would take the 'girl' toy, and I'd take the 'boy' toy. We couldn't care less what gender it was marketed towards, if we wanted the opposite toy, we'd switch :) Having a sibling and a caring parent who only cares that we're happy is great.

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Kitty Luna Darrow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've done something similar to this at work at my library, except I was helping a little kid find a book. The mom was like "find them a girl book" but she picked out a car book and the mom flipped out.

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Printerman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This always used to piss me off at McD's. Don't ask if it's for a boy or girl! Girls can like hotwheels, boys can like princess dolls.

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Stephanie Frey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter has a hot wheels race track and Barbie Dreamhouse. That would be a tough call for her.

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HooowlAtTheMoon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good on you. You should've given the woman the barbie doll as the "boy toy"

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Sarah Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hated that when I was a kid! My sister wanted Barbies and I wanted the hot wheels. The people at the counter would give me a barbie because I'm a girl. My mom would have to argue with them.

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Dwayne Kendrick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When i was a young boy, I craved barbie toys and made the mistake of asking for them for christmas. I was made to belive there was something wrong with me. Took me years to realise they're wasn't something wrong with me... But with my family! Happy to say that I grew up a proud feminist and what I call equalist

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Courtney Christelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would get my niece the boy toy, usually more fun than the generic doll that does nothing that they peddle to the girls.

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Shadow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a female I hated dolls and barbies as a child I thought they were creepy and boring, give me a hot wheels every time! I can't tell you how many times I went back to the counter to ask the workers if I could trade for the "male" toy because I thought it was cooler. I was lucky in that they never denied my request, probably as I wasn't picky just give me any car.

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Laura Pantazis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would always ask for the 'boy' happy meal so that my brother and I could race the cars that we got.

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Batgirl Kitty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was so happy when McDonalds finally did it that way! We basically partied in the car.

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AngelWings
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When i worked fast food we had kid toys but they werent gendered unless you count "shark stickers are for boys n horse stickers are for girls" My coworkers would ask but i never did. Its stickers ffs gender doesnt matter at this point🤦‍♀️

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backatya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what arfe you stupid give the kid a hot wheels and be done with it

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...this sounds made up. Those are VERY gendered toys. given the two options the woman would just say hot wheels.

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG, you know what they are asking for, just give it to them.

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Faith Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the coworker response and how he kept asking the same thing without switching his responses. Sometimes I hated the "girl" toys that came in my happy meal as a child and would prefer the "boy" toy. But then go home and play with my babies in their dream house, with gi Joe action figures.

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Izzy_
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a girl and I always wanted to play with the hot wheels with the tracks

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect response. My son had Tonka trucks and a Cabbage Patch Kid. Didn't hurt his masculinity in any way. (He can also cook, sew & arrange flowers).

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Marnie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't believe this is true. If she really said, "okay congratulations", the woman would have been upset most likely.

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Anna Bender
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was REQUIRED to ask if they wanted a boy toy or a girl toy when I worked at McDonald's. I got written up for asking if they wanted a Barbie or a car. Hated that job but I had kids to feed.

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Capri Figueroa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up saying "girl toy" at fast food places. It was just easier to say.

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mph seti
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, that's the kind of thing that can get you fired from a fast food job...If the customer chose to go full Karen.

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mckenna kelly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the drive thru worker should be fired. its not his store for one, and the one he is arguing with is THE PAYCHECK. without the people buying the products the company will close,

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Tami
Community Member
3 years ago

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Well don't further frustrate an already confused customer. Obviously she has traditional standards, just give her the friggin hot wheels. It's a customer relations technique called "knowing your customer".

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Debrina Blackmoon
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

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@blank square-No, they are just not being a shitiot asshat about "gender-appropriate" things!

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another one
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3 years ago

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But they still "ma'am"ed the woman, who may not have wanted to be a "ma'am" and may not be a 'ma'am". Why gender people at all?

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Computernaut
Community Member
3 years ago

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I feel like this person is being unnecessarily annoying. It's clear what the woman meant. Stop being an ass.

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BiLal Asif
Community Member
3 years ago

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So you are so woke that u can take offence but can't take a damn hint

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another one
Community Member
3 years ago

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But they still gendered the "woman" by calling her "ma'am". As a non-binary that s**t drives me crazy. Just don't gender me at all.

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CowboyHank
Community Member
3 years ago

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You don't have to get smart with her. I think you knew what she wanted

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#4

Damn You, Spaghetti Sauce. If Only I Had A Man Around! Dinner Is Ruined!

Damn You, Spaghetti Sauce. If Only I Had A Man Around! Dinner Is Ruined!

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Wendillon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She should have asserted dominance by opening a jar herself in front of her mom

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#5

Gendering Eggs Now, Are We?

Gendering Eggs Now, Are We?

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Suggesting that women will go crazy over a product wrapped in pink packaging just because some marketer assumes that all women love pink can come across as downright insulting, co-researcher Leslie K. John, the Marvin Bower Associate Professor at HBS, said.

"In a way, this project reminds me of my childhood," John explained. "When I was a kid, I had a babysitter who said, 'Leslie, your favorite color is pink.' She would put pink bows in my hair. Everything had to be pink. This project is partly a reaction against this feeling that just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I love pink! There's something very off-putting about feeling like you're being reduced to a single category of membership."

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#6

And It’s Only $49.99!

And It’s Only $49.99!

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sturmwesen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, a lot of women could buy one-for-all but don't and the variety for "male" body care grows.

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#7

Names Have A Gender?

Names Have A Gender?

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#8

What To Get My Niece For Christmas

What To Get My Niece For Christmas

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Bow, I’m a Slytherin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my aunt was here, she’d say ‘makeup’. I’m not even a girl, I was AFAB, she doesn’t know that though, and for t he past 3 Christmases and my birthdays, she’s only gave me makeup-

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But where does this false notion come from? Why do companies keep trying to sell their products by emphasizing the buyer's gender? Well, the answer to this question might lie in one 2017 Pew Research Center survey.

It discovered that Americans think men and women are basically different in the way they express their feelings, their physical abilities, their personal interests, and their approach to parenting. But there is no public consensus on the origins of these differences.

#9

Gatekeeping A Yellow Jacket, Among Other Normal Things

Gatekeeping A Yellow Jacket, Among Other Normal Things

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#10

Shaming Elephants

Shaming Elephants

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I think marketers know this. Maybe some of them just haven't realized that to have an opinion and to base your purchasing decision on it are two different things.

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This applies to other aspects, not only gender. According to previous research, for example, even stereotypes that cast people in a positive light—such as Asians excel in math—can trigger a negative reaction from these groups.

#12

Girls Don’t Have Ankles

Girls Don’t Have Ankles

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Haley Brock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ahhh i think thats worse than period pains *ow* and last time i checked... i have two ankles

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#13

Fellas, Is It Gay To Touch Your Face?

Fellas, Is It Gay To Touch Your Face?

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's true, though. Holding your face together is the only thing preventing his XY-jaw from dragging along the floor, with his XY-knuckles. Plus, he has bonus nose-picking modality this way.

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#14

Sounds Very Mormon

Sounds Very Mormon

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Piet Puk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How I can tell that this guy has a small penis? Because there is nothing telling what sex he is when he wears pants.

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#16

Cancer Isn't Gendered, Support Shouldn't Be Either

Cancer Isn't Gendered, Support Shouldn't Be Either

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#17

This Guy Gets It

This Guy Gets It

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It gets even scarier in fragrance commercials for men that show women sniffing at that stuff...

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#18

In Estonian "Ta" (Or "Tema") Means Both "She" And "He", Google Translate Decides By Context

In Estonian "Ta" (Or "Tema") Means Both "She" And "He", Google Translate Decides By Context

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#20

Because That Is Totally How It Works

Because That Is Totally How It Works

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artok
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should not be angry because people lacks of knowledge. Flamingos are pink, many fishes are blue... Just teach them instead of getting angry which leads to nowhere

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#21

Apparently It’s Gay To See Now

Apparently It’s Gay To See Now

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Real men don't go out of their way for street signs, the street signs scarper out of the way.

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#22

This Is The Worst One I've Ever Seen

This Is The Worst One I've Ever Seen

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#23

Girls Live On A Different Planet

Girls Live On A Different Planet

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#24

Toothpaste For Men Only!

Toothpaste For Men Only!

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Haley Brock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wtf i use that toothpaste and i use men's deodorent and its not to strong for my fragile feminine teeth or under arms this makes me so mad

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#25

Wait Until He Learns That Men Have Butt Cheeks Too

Wait Until He Learns That Men Have Butt Cheeks Too

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#26

Pointlessly Gendered Shelter Caused Trans Student To Be Left Outside

Pointlessly Gendered Shelter Caused Trans Student To Be Left Outside

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bureaucracy at its finest.....lol. Also, what a stupid shooter plan. "Look, there's a shooter! Quick! separate by genders!"

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#29

Food Is Feminine

Food Is Feminine

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...it likely was 95% barbecue receipes since "real men will only eat meat" roasted to charcoal and not touch anything sweet.

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#30

Pockets?!

Pockets?!

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Persp Gold
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to wear mens slacks for this reason and too many people thought it was a strange thing for me (female) to do

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#31

Men Can't Be Anorexic Apparently

Men Can't Be Anorexic Apparently

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#32

No Bro It’s War Paint

No Bro It’s War Paint

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kinda contradicts the "You're a man you don't need a mirror" of nearby post.

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#33

Gender Appropriate "Fun"

Gender Appropriate "Fun"

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A classic. And look how happy everyone is with his and especially her role.

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#34

Fruity Drinks Are Bomb

Fruity Drinks Are Bomb

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#36

Had To Share

Had To Share

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#38

Because Sexualising Babies Is Okay...

Because Sexualising Babies Is Okay...

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Joonscrab
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ewww I'm disgusted. The second one looks like something pesos would think of.

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#39

Pointlessly Gendered Lit Sides

Pointlessly Gendered Lit Sides

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#40

Low Testosterone Male Pink Tool Set

Low Testosterone Male Pink Tool Set

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Joonscrab
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Patriarchy is the worst for all genders. Even men. These toxic masculine alpha males should really stfu.

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#42

“Things To Say When You’re Staring At A Boy Trying To Think Of What To Say”

“Things To Say When You’re Staring At A Boy Trying To Think Of What To Say”

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#43

Fathering A Child? Sounds Pretty Girly To Me

Fathering A Child? Sounds Pretty Girly To Me

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

having a designer bag doesn't make you afraid of not being masculine. Why do you think there are diaper bags with flowers and cute baby animals? Because the demographic they are trying to sell the diaper bag to like it.

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#44

Because Somehow Exercise And Dieting Can Be Gender Specific?

Because Somehow Exercise And Dieting Can Be Gender Specific?

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Sanne H.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn’t it girly to worry so much about your masculinity all the time? 😉

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#45

Found This Gem On Tumblr

Found This Gem On Tumblr

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#47

Green Is Man, Red Is Woman

Green Is Man, Red Is Woman

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Persp Gold
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unclear whether this is gendering or just keeping a theme edit: Just realized these are different white people on unrelated album?movie? covers.

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#49

Pointlessly Gendered And Homophobic At The Same Time

Pointlessly Gendered And Homophobic At The Same Time

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#50

Pink Bad For Rap

Pink Bad For Rap

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