These Groups Call Out Things That Are Pointlessly Gendered, Here Are 104 Of The Most Infuriating
Needlessly gendered things pop up in the weirdest places. Sometimes, this means companies adopting marketing and advertising strategies where they, bizarrely, try to gender products and services for no logical reason whatsoever. Other times, it's random people showing their antiquated attitudes.
Some folks, upon seeing this, get so frustrated that they snap a photo or take a screenshot and share it online for some public shaming. These pictures end up on the ‘Pointlessly Gendered’ and ‘Unnecessarily Gendered’ online communities, which we’re featuring today. Scroll down for our list of photos of needlessly gendered things that pushed people away.
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[gendered]
No Teenagers Are Easy
Pain
Pushing back against pointlessly gendered products and services might be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Consumers wield a lot of power. And rational business owners tend to react to changing market trends and consumer preferences.
So, voting with your wallet is one of the most powerful things you—along with your family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances—can do.
Low Key Photo From 4chan
More “Batman Is For Boys” Nonsense — But With A Happy Ending
Cool Actually
Finally - a needlessly gendered item that is more expensive for MEN 😂 (I can't help but notice that olive/khaki is the only "truly manly" coulour out there. Talk about fifty shades of gray)
If you think that a product is overpriced, the company’s values don’t match yours, and you suspect that someone’s trying to make a quick profit, don’t reward that business with your money. On top of that, reach out to the company’s representatives about your concerns or share your insights on social media. If the behavior is egregious, reach out to your government representatives. Ask them to take a stand and protect your interests as a consumer.
Your cash, attention, and loyalty mean a lot for the longevity of any company. So, by hitting a business where it hurts (its profits and reputation), you’re forcing them to pivot and adapt.
True!!
Where The Heck Do They Think We Get It From?
Don't Let The Man-Trash And The Woman Trash Touch Each Other! They Will Make Baby Trash!
I think that doesn't fit here. It's not meant as male trash and female trash but adding a female version to the pictograms that is usually perceived as a male figure
Pointlessly gendering products can be problematic when taken to the extreme. What’s more, it can split your potential customer base.
As ‘The Society Pages’ points out, these products can reinforce gender stereotypes, lead to more inequality, and end up costing women more money. Sometimes, you’ll notice that the masculine and feminine versions of the very same product aren’t priced the same.
“When that happens, the one for women is usually the more expensive one. If women aren’t paying attention—or if it matters to them to have the ‘right‘ product—they end up shelling out more money,” ‘The Society Pages’ explains.
Gendered Eggs - I Give Up
Felt Like This Belongs Here
God Forbid If Your Child Learned The Wrong Alphabet
According to ‘Popsters,’ some consumers are becoming less receptive to gendered marketing. As such, some companies are taking note and moving toward more neutral advertising. That being said, many businesses still choose to target genders when crafting their marketing strategies.
Saw This On Instagram And Figured I'll Share This Here
[meta] Are You Kidding Me?
Male and female are biological. Non-binary is a reflection of identity. I see no problem with this. You can be a non-binary male or female. You can't ignore the parts you came with.
Definitely Men
‘Popsters’ notes that “traditional gender marketing” often focuses on functionality, short formulations, jokes, provocations, and the theme of competition when advertising for men. Meanwhile, advertisements for women typically focus on strength, independence, and the desire to stand out, while avoiding humor.
Special Wipes For Dudes! Can't Have That "Girly" Packaging
This sounds wrong.... Sounds like what dudes need after lending a "helping hand" during dry patches . #nohomo.
War Paint Is Eye Concealer
So if makeup is war paint, then drag queens are experts in battle colors
Bc Only Boys (And Sabrina Sexton) Will Appreciate This
I'm pretty sure that this type of post has nothing to do with gendering. I think they were truly just following that fad "my boys" "my ladies". Stupid fad, but *shrug*
However, advertisements that discriminate, use outdated stereotypes, and use black-and-white thinking tend to cause public outcry and fail. “This is especially true for women’s advertising. Gender marketing requires the dynamic use of changes in laws and social norms,” ‘Popsters’ suggests.
What The Heck Is Wrong With These People?
Masks Donated To My Work Today
Candles
Gender-neutral marketing, however, can help companies expand their target audience and increase brand loyalty. After all, this way, you’re aiming your products and services at the entire population, not just half of it. For instance, instead of labeling the toys you sell by gender, you can do so by age, product category, and brand.
You Mean Humans?
Gendered Baby Brushes - The Exact Same Product, The Exact Same Baby On The Packaging - But The Pink One Costs More
Batteries Are Now Gendered, Too - So You Can Pay Extra For Pink Plastic Wrap That No One Will Ever See
The ‘Pointlessly Gendered’ subreddit was first created in March of 2015, and it continues to be popular to this very day. At the time of writing, it boasts a whopping 134k weekly visitors, as well as 3k weekly contributions.
Meanwhile, the ‘Unnecessarily Gendered’ community was created in December of that same year, but it is more niche.
Water And Water For Women. Different Ph Levels
Do You Ever Find Your Cotton Swabs Are Too Damn Feminine?
Cotton swabs? Cotton is too soft for men! The swans should be tipped with grit glued on.
Make Sure You Are Using Your Gender's Hand Sanitizer!
That is just preference since both contain the exact same for the same price, and given it's german I wouldn't be surprised if it's done for gender equality (Don't question the logic or it's lack behind it)
Despite the differences in popularity, both online groups focus on the same thing: products that shouldn’t be gendered but are, in the most humorous ways.
As the moderators of ‘Pointlessly Gendered’ point out, their community should focus on humorous posts about gender and needlessly gendered things. Meanwhile, “certain products are gendered for a reason” and shouldn’t be posted.
Why Do We Need To See Her Bare Shoulder (Barely Can Tell She Is Wearing A Shirt) And Have Her Posing Like That?
I Can Feel My Estrogen Supplies Dwindling Already
“You’ve just k****d a small animal! It’s time for a light beer!”
Ah Yes Because Girl Bug Notebooks Need Eyelashes
Once you’ve finished looking through this list and upvoting the most egregious examples of gendered products, we’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments down below.
Realistically, what do you think it would take for companies to stop with this nonsensical product gendering? What’s the worst, most pointless example of a gendered product that you’ve stumbled upon personally? Let us know.
Gender Is Pointlessly Gendered
Checkout Options
Women Are Incapable Of Standing Normally
Everyone Knows Real Men Have Bald Eyelids
Because Only Women Can Change Diapers Apparently
Angry Monkies For Boys Only, But At Least They're Giving Therapy For Both
Need A New Account For These Shoes
So I'm not allowed to buy something for my husband? (And yes, I would also totally wear men's stuff, I'm just trying to think simplisticly)
Girl Dogs Need The Same Nutrients In A Pink Bag And Boy Dogs In A Blue Bag!
Because Regular Freshwater Wasn't Good Enough
Ladies Can't Handle Sleeping With These
I Cannot Facepalm Harder
I Think We Know What The Writer Wanted
Ouija... Just For Her!
Just Got This Recommendation On Yt
Barbells At The Gym
Gendered. Pickles
How Else Will People Know You’re A Straight Couple?
For pure anatomical reasons.... shouldn't it be the other way around?
It's A Brush And Comb Why Does It Need To Be For Men
Dàmn! Why didn't they have proper manly man combs when I had enough hair to use them?
Hey Kids! Guess What? You Could Become A Powerful Knight... Or A Pwetty Lickle Pwincess!!
funny thing is that in the past it used to be quite opposite. pink was a color of men :)
You're Not A Woman Unless You Can Do These Things
Isn't all this the reality of being a parent regardless of gender?
German Parking Disc - "Time Of Arrival" (Blue) vs. "I'm Off Shopping" (Pink)
Curiously, all colors except blue are not permitted in Germany. You can't legally use the pink one as a parking disc. The pink one is simply a novelty item.
They Have Gendered The Bugs. Bugs, People
Wouldn't the women one have spiders and praying mantises? You know, the ones who know how to deal with the males of the species?
Power Tools For Women!
pink was the men colour in the the middle ages. so many has changed since... ;]
The Excitement Of Gunfighting Is Clearly Not Something Girls Would Enjoy, But What About Shooting Gossipy Messages At Each Other?
Because Women Can't Hold The Big Tube?
No Avocados And Blueberries For Women. They Might Explode, Since This Is Specifically For Men
well, in our society men do most of hard phisical work, so they gotta have a different diet, more suitable to maintain their a b u s e d bodies - tbh gender doesnt matter in this case.
Grow A Girlfriend Has “No Nagging” And Other Phrases While Grow A Boyfriend Just Has Instructions
Be Careful Men, You May Look In A Woman’s Mirror!!
Hey Lady, Get Down From There
Guess Girls Can’t Like Playstation
This One Is Kinda Funny
Masculine Chargers Are Something Else
Gendered Changing Rooms For One Person Each
I Want To Know If There's A Difference Between These But Don't Want To Buy Them
Not Even The Dragons Are Safe
Why Are Shirt Buttons On Different Sides For Men And Women???
This goes back to long long ago when the women were dressed by servants and the man dressed themselves. True, it no longer matters, but there you go.
Cringe In The Wild
Poems That Make Grown People Cry
Don't Let Your Men Drink This! They Will Become A Woman!
Got Some Man Debt?
I wonder if this is illegal under the Séx Discrimination Act?
But Like... They’re Dogs Though
people get so weird about this with dogs. i bought a blue collar for a girl pup once and someone gave her compliments while out walking, assuming it was a boy. got awkward when i simply corrected her, like i was commiting some sort of sin. i just happen to like blue and it looked good with her fur is all.
Gendered. Chocolate
This Needs To Stop
Diggers, tractors, dinosaurs, or words about how chaotic and naughty they are. Also orange. None of which interested my little one. He loved kittens, puppies, and ducklings, but they were only on clearly very feminine clothes, such as tee shirts with low, lace lined, necklines and dresses.
Women Can't Feel Lonely, Apparently
Well, rapists and domineering misogynists are always out there, right?
Men’s Reading Glasses
This one is slightly common in clothes and eyewear and hats, as many men have bigger bodies than women. However, as seen from this list, there's too many items of the same make but more expensive for women. If a woman can get over her internalized sexism and just purchase the so-called mens' products, she will probably save cash and everything will work out fine
Look What I Found On My Local Facebook Marketplace
Weird Waste Separation On This Playground
For Books That Girls Can't Read
If they have a men's and women's, it'd be great for my wife and I to keep our copies of ACOTAR seperate.
For Ladies Delicate Ears Only Pink Will Do. And They Only Cost A Little More!
That Is Not How Trauma Works
What Is This Meant For Exactly??
It’s Not That…
Birthday
Billy no mates at the bottom is angry because no one gives a d**n about him.
Hmmm
The Male Equivalent To Getting Flowers Is Getting Flowers
As I posted on another thread yesterday. "Don't send me flowers when I'm déad. If you like me,send them while I'm alive.' Brian Clough.
I Guess Men Can't Write, Sorry I Don't Make The Rules
Gendered Towels?
This Is The Definition Of Unnecessarily Gendered
I can maybe see this one even if it does kinda look ridiculous. I have the same shirt in a ladies and a men's since my ex left it . It fits different amd is cut differently so this might be the reason but I am not 100 percent on that
Can’t Even Start Reading Without Being Locked In A Gendered Choice
Society
So Apparently Women Won’t Understand…fried Eggs?
So, your bragging about not learning how to cook something else after all those years? That's probably something I would keep to myself, but you do you.
?? Why
Dinosaur Bubble Wands At Disneyworld
My decoding would rather be a cartoonish and friendly design for the little ones, and a more realistic for older kids.
Blueprints Are For Men, Birds And Flowers Are For Women
someone needs to do a technical drawing course - that is total bollocks
Only Fit For Her Ears
Girl Clothes Only
Because men use a chair... Or the couch... Or... You get the picture, no real man uses a dresser. /S
Ah Yes, Clearly A Female Elf
Safe For All, Thank Goodness
These Face Masks
I Was Playing With The Background On A Web Poll At Work And Found The "Thinking Male" And "Thinking Female" Background Options... Just Why?
Knifes For Women
Pioneer Woman is just the name of the brand - it's not saying the knives are only for women.
Cod Is For Men, AC Is For Women, Clearly
Couldn’t Eat My Roommates Lettuce, Didn’t Fit The Right Gender
No this one shouldn't be on the list. Organic Girl is the company name, like it or not.
I had a pink polo I usually wore during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). I wore it a random day and a "man's man" coworker asked me if it was "salmon" (with all the derision quote marks can imply)... I said "No, it's pink. Are you afraid of a color?" The look on his face was priceless. For the record: my wheelchairs are purple, as is my laptop; my tablet is rose gold and it's cover is light blue with pink cherry blossoms. I like what I like and I won't be stuck with lame colors so people think "I'm a man".
A former co-worker would occasionally ask me "What kind of man wears a pink shirt?!" when I wore one of my several pink shirts. I'd reply "The kind that is secure in his masculinity." After hearing that he'd walk away mumbling to himself.
Load More Replies...Was out for a ride and stopped in to have lunch. I had a pink T shirt on and had taken my jacket off. Young guy and his GF come in and he starts giving me grief about wearing girlie clothes. Turned around and when she saw the front had "Bikers ride for breast cancer" she let loose on him.
I had a pink polo I usually wore during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). I wore it a random day and a "man's man" coworker asked me if it was "salmon" (with all the derision quote marks can imply)... I said "No, it's pink. Are you afraid of a color?" The look on his face was priceless. For the record: my wheelchairs are purple, as is my laptop; my tablet is rose gold and it's cover is light blue with pink cherry blossoms. I like what I like and I won't be stuck with lame colors so people think "I'm a man".
A former co-worker would occasionally ask me "What kind of man wears a pink shirt?!" when I wore one of my several pink shirts. I'd reply "The kind that is secure in his masculinity." After hearing that he'd walk away mumbling to himself.
Load More Replies...Was out for a ride and stopped in to have lunch. I had a pink T shirt on and had taken my jacket off. Young guy and his GF come in and he starts giving me grief about wearing girlie clothes. Turned around and when she saw the front had "Bikers ride for breast cancer" she let loose on him.
