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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
Community Member
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.

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

In a lot of animals the males are the flashy/showy "pretty" ones

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

Thats because they are opposite of humans. The males are the attractive ones in the animal kingdom...

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

That sounds like enough of an explanation. "Fish genetics don't adhere to human gender roles." If she can't "get it" after that, well...

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

In the wild, mostly fish and birds, the males are more colorful.

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

Other than humans, the brightly colored animals are usually male.

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

I love the whole pink is for girls thing. 100 yrs ago (when men were real men /s) pink was for boys and blue was for girls/women.

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

Before the 1920's, pink was reserved for baby boys because it was considered a light shade of red. Baby girls were often dressed in blue because it was supposed to be the color of the Virgin Mary's veil.

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

parrot fish are all born female. and can change their sex to become male when the lone male of the group dies.

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

Whoo boi. Does she also think that Peacocks are gay because they have all of those beautiful colors and shapes?

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

Ignorance is rife! Especially in the USA! Somewhat less so, in other English speaking countries.

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

We actually have a pink male betta. The official breed was like Rosie Half Moon or something. So we named him Rosie bc I'm lazy.

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Glory The Rainwing
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*sigh* >:< I HATE THIS GODDAMN WOMAN! (The "mAlE fIsH cAn'T bE pInK!" lady)

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

"Fish genetics don't adhere to human gender roles" thats the best part

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

My daughter works at a bird store and some boomer came in last week and said (warning for language NOT mine, just re telling) "I need a male parakeet." Daughter "I'm sorry Sir all we have is males at the moment." Boomer "What?? my (name) needs a friend and it has to be a female I don't want no f****t birds" Daughter and store owner "....." One week later Boomer comes back to see if there are any females. Daughter, "You're in luck we have one left" Sold him a male parakeet. lmao savage daughter of mine. I love her.

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Guillaume O'Perucha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is not "human gender roles" though, but 21st century western gender roles.

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

Fun fact: pink was once considered strong and manly and blue was dainty and girly.

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

what. nope. nope. that couldnt've happened; it's too stupid!

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

DON'T DUCKING GENDER COLORS kArEn! (the "PiNk Is FoR gIrLs OnLy!" woman)

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

It's even funnier when you realize that genderizing pink for girls and blue for boys didn't happen until the 1940's. Before that pink was used for either child, as was blue, depending on their skin, hair, and eye coloring, or sometimes just randomly.

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

This reminds me of the time I made a Key Lime pie, and my co-worker asked if it was pumpkin pie. I said, "No, it's Key Lime". He said, "But it isn't green." I said, "It isn't orange either."

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

In the wild, males are flashy and colorful and the females stand out less so they can stay hidden better in order to reproduce more

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

I’d have replied ‘because they’re too stupid to know how wrong it is’. She wouldn’t have realised I was taking the p, I’d be telling my mates in the pub and the Siamese FIGHTING fish wouldn’t have been offended

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

wow! might want to add that they fight each other to the death and color has zippo to do with it.

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

Males in many species, from dogs to birds to insects, are often showier for mating reasons.

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

Pink and blue are colors. We have been snowed by advertising that they specifically belong to different genders. If we don't buy into it maybe we won't raise people that think like that woman.

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

And just why do the males have beautiful, flowing fins, while the females are small and brown. It's so the males can attract the females; the females don't need to attract the males. And I'm sure the pink guy does just fine with the ladies.

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

You could just say "pink it's a colour, it doesn't define a gender" that's all.

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

You look at humans and it's only really from Victorian times that men wore the sober clothes and women the pretty clothes. Look at men in Charles 1st and 2nd time and in regency times.

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

OK, think about this. In most depictions of the virgin Mary in christian folklore, she NEVER wears pink ; always blue. In many other religions, young boys are often dressed in pink .....

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Lilly O'Rourke
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just for anyone wondering Bettas are "Siamese Fighting Fish" that come in very vibrant colors.

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

We used to have a blue merle collie, for those who do not know, this means he's got predominantly grey hair. Even when he was a 3 months old pup some people would think that he had to be a very old dog.

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a very smol kitteh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why why, i have a red betta and a shark, and bettas come in ANY COLOR

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

I once had a purple and orange beta fish....he was so pretty

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

i would smack her. i had a beta he was red and his name was french fry. he died after a month and a quarter. this story is offending.

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

Wait till she hears about Flamingos, Dory, etc! And yeah, I said Dory, not a blue tang, come fight me.

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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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