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
Let me guess, you, much like the customer, has a hard time understanding and answering simple questions..
Load More Replies...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)
I love that it is 8 times more pricy. If your masculinity is that fragile, you deserve being taken advantage
For when you want to look a total T I T while proving to the world you have a single digit IQ
~~kevlar coated baby holder with the baby* attached stop bullets twice more efficient, than the regular kevlar vest~~ *baby not included
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.
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
Is this maybe just a representation thing, showing male and female figures to avoid only having the usual guy being shown?
Has the man version have a stronger flap so us manly men can test out manly strength?
With a little effort, women can be just as trashy as men.
Load More Replies...But why would that matter? Used sanitary products are not more nor less trash than the usual unsorted trash.
Load More Replies...Where The Heck Do They Think We Get It From?
There's a whole group of f3 tishes for people that prefer not to shave and people that prefer others who do not shave. I don't know why it's k inky
There is a strange idea held by a fair proportion of the male species that body and facial hair are unnatural for women.
I find that notion ... interesting. As in: how do they think we got that hair? If we had the ability or methods to grow hair at will just imagine what we might do with our heads and how much money we'd save NOT going to hair salons - and how much we could earn coaching balding affluent men how to do it! Ka-ching!
Load More Replies...Gendered Eggs - I Give Up
If those are surprise eggs and one has princess themed toys and the other pirate themed, then it's fine because this way you can buy the ones your kid probably likes most
We used to have kinderjoy egg things in India where there would be a girl version and a boy version with gendered toys or whatever. I always found the ‘boy’ toys to be interesting but since I was a girl I’d only get the ‘girl’ kinderjoy
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.
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.
If there are also 48 wipes (or less) in the Charmin brand, I guess I'll be a dude for this purchase
Charmin has a deal package: 2 x 60. Seems like gendering stuff makes it more expensive for every produce. Yay for equality, I guess. /S
Load More Replies...Water And Water For Women. Different Ph Levels
Why the hell is women’s alkaline water more acidic than the male one? What the heck is that about?
Are we meant to be testing the PH of our water when we get it out of the tap too?
Definitely Men
The soft touch (not tough) grip is a nice touch.
Load More Replies...So definitely men can definitely pluck their definite eyebrows definitely?
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.
God Forbid If Your Child Learned The Wrong Alphabet
O is for octopus or ostrich. Why is the octopus for boys, ostrich for girls?
Ohh! I can name a reason, but its because Im a sick and twisted (and extremely curious) person who had unsupervised access to internet at early age.
Load More Replies...Gendered Baby Brushes - The Exact Same Product, The Exact Same Baby On The Packaging - But The Pink One Costs More
At one point razors that came in a multipack in Tiger were cheaper in pink, which is rare to see
War Paint Is Eye Concealer
So if makeup is war paint, then drag queens are experts in battle colors
How dare you call my masculinity fragile! I'm crying now!
Don't cry, your mascara will run, and the war paint will gather in your wrinkles. Have some pink cheese to cheer up.
Load More Replies...Huh - I always figured war paint would be red or green. Shows what I know
Yeah, I always thought war paint was supposed to intimidate, not match your skin tone so well it disappears
Load More Replies...‘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.
[meta] Are You Kidding Me?
What The Heck Is Wrong With These People?
I bought green baby clothes for a baby shower because I hadn't heard the gender (and didn't much care). Mom to be was happy. Grandma said too bad we won't be able to use these since it's a girl. Like a newborn cares what colour she's wearing!
My mom dressed me in green or purple when I was a baby
Load More Replies...Yesterday I've heard from my midwife that people these days still want to abort babies because of the gender... Hard to believe (Europe)
Load More Replies..."Pistols or pearls"? WTH? I can hardly imagine a worse future for my kid than becoming a kiIIer, thank you very much. Maybe becoming their victim, as the banner indicates, but the air is getting thin at the top of that list.
Since those look made for newborns it would be kinda hard to get an answer...
Load More Replies...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)
I suspect that they smell differently ("ätherische Öle") just like deodorants do. Outside of that: yes, unnecessary.
Load More Replies...Oops, I used the girl one! My manhood has just shriveled up and dropped off!
I assume it is abozt different fragrances. I am a woman and every few years all the lemony/ocean/fresh deodorants, body lotions, shampoos etc vanish from the "womens" section and are replaced by flowery and oriental fragrances. See you at the "mens" section.
I often prefer ",*men's"; fragrance -; especially when grapefruit takes its lap through scent-fashion
Load More Replies...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.
I Can Feel My Estrogen Supplies Dwindling Already
“You’ve just k****d a small animal! It’s time for a light beer!”
Masks Donated To My Work Today
Sorry, not until they have the surgery.
Load More Replies...Who cares about the gendering - if these are just made of fabric they can be as colourful as they want, they are useless
I am very happy my dentist is wearing one, instead of breathing into my mouth.
Load More Replies...Saw This On Instagram And Figured I'll Share This Here
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.
True!!
Women Are Incapable Of Standing Normally
The female version looks like it was copied from a 20 year old Marvel comic
Dark Phoenix! :-) Whups, sorry, that's a 40 year old comic....
Load More Replies...Because Only Women Can Change Diapers Apparently
I have heard a few daddies complain about lack of change tables - I agree, it makes no sense
Yeah, I used to hate that when I was out with my daughter when she was still in nappies.
Load More Replies...Another one for my "WFT would be so bad about ´uniséx toilets?" list.
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.
You Mean Humans?
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.
DON'T ASK, for heaven's sake! You might get an anwer! 😂
Load More Replies...I buy my cotton buds from the baby aisle for £1. Wonder how much these cost
Felt Like This Belongs Here
That is crazy wrong. You know, come to think of it, the times I've had a mammogram, which is basically a scan of your breast tissue, there are no changing rooms for men. So I guess if you found a lump and you're a man, you might have to go further for a facility that can scan you. I hope it's not an awful experience
Everywhere I've been, the dressing room was single occupancy. Once the VA med centers started doing them...
Load More Replies...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.
Gendered. Pickles
The pink one is milder and less sour than the intentionally stronger than usual blue one. These are seasonal products for the Oktoberfest though
Load More Replies...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.
Lots of men do desk jobs. So shouldnt this be high calorie or high protein lunches
Load More Replies...Ah Yes Because Girl Bug Notebooks Need Eyelashes
How do you know that the bugs with eyelashes are meant to be female? They have a blue body where the other bugs have a pink body.
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.
Because Regular Freshwater Wasn't Good Enough
Batteries Are Now Gendered, Too - So You Can Pay Extra For Pink Plastic Wrap That No One Will Ever See
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 :)
Just Got This Recommendation On Yt
Ladies Can't Handle Sleeping With These
My first reaction, too 😂 Are they teflon coated for easier cleaning or something?
Load More Replies...So why is this only for men? Is it the silver? Are we women werwolves and I never noticed?
Nah, clearly says "jax" sheets. Must be for jaxing off, obviously. I'm sure the developers know what they're doing - I only wonder at the obvious double bed in the pic. They have a very narrow and curiously specific focus on their targeted audience...😏
Load More Replies...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
this one is not directly gendered (i mean it is but not for what it sounds) The tshirt cut are called men (straight cut) and womens (with allowance for breasts)
Candles
The Googles say it's from a popular lottery game where numbers represent animals and the animal for 24 is a deer and in Brazil a deer is associated with gay men. Apparently the Portuguese word for deer, 'veado', is also a homophobic slur. The lottery game is 'jogo do bicho.'
Load More Replies...Everyone Knows Real Men Have Bald Eyelids
I LOVE long eyelashes on men (and yes I'm jealous of them)
I saw this on a video short. The very next time it rains, and the rain drops fall directly into that man's eyeballs, he might wonder why it was happening to him. Eyelash techs ought to cash in on this craze, and offer a masculine lash, which I guess would be a bushy chopped-up lash
Lashes are there to protect the eyes. What's masculine about damaging your eyes?
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.
Some old story about women with money having maids so their buttons were done by someone facing them, no?
Not a story, goes back hundreds of years when women had more elaborate clothing and servants to help dress them.
Load More Replies...Checkout Options
I Think We Know What The Writer Wanted
This implies all (loving) men want to, erm, "be with" their mothers while all (loving) women are páedophiles. No, thanks. 🤮
Barbells At The Gym
Girl Dogs Need The Same Nutrients In A Pink Bag And Boy Dogs In A Blue Bag!
Power Tools For Women!
pink was the men colour in the the middle ages. so many has changed since... ;]
Gendered Changing Rooms For One Person Each
How Else Will People Know You’re A Straight Couple?
For pure anatomical reasons.... shouldn't it be the other way around?
That's what I thought, too. I guess the innuendo was too risqué.
Load More Replies...The Excitement Of Gunfighting Is Clearly Not Something Girls Would Enjoy, But What About Shooting Gossipy Messages At Each Other?
Seems like they are part of the "Rebelle" series and marketed under the designs for girls, but according to their website they would fit in any other gun with Elite dart calibre.
Why Do We Need To See Her Bare Shoulder (Barely Can Tell She Is Wearing A Shirt) And Have Her Posing Like That?
Grow A Girlfriend Has “No Nagging” And Other Phrases While Grow A Boyfriend Just Has Instructions
Ouija... Just For Her!
Angry Monkies For Boys Only, But At Least They're Giving Therapy For Both
Guess Girls Can’t Like Playstation
You're Not A Woman Unless You Can Do These Things
Isn't all this the reality of being a parent regardless of gender?
Or the reality of living without servants. I have no children but I still have to cook for myself and wash my clothes
Load More Replies...Apparently I'm trans or gay or a woman or something. Suppose I'd better let the missus know.
Not Even The Dragons Are Safe
Nah! MY dragons come in their own dragon genders and have ALL the scales I feel like drawing.
I bet the female Dragon would have more of a shapely chest as well.
I'd say it's fine in art, simply because it works very well as visual indicator
I Cannot Facepalm Harder
I was taught you had to peak under the tail to know but I guess I was misinformed
I usually can tell by the face - male cats tend to have wider nose bridges and cheeks. Strays sometimes have facial scarring from fights. Females tend to have "pointier" faces. I would gender both of these cats as female or very young males.
Load More Replies...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.
BTW: Parking disks actually *legally have to be* blue. Don't ask me why. That means that using your cutie pink disk (or a red, yellow, or green one for that matter) may earn you a ticket from any pedantic traffic warden unless you pair it up with a blue one. But to be fair: no pink tax. Both meters are 1 €.
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)
Cringe In The Wild
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
If an item is identical except for color, I'll buy the cheaper one.
Load More Replies...Masculine Chargers Are Something Else
Because the bottom one seems crinked? I cant stand that cat/girl/whatever, but I would choose it over a non-working one anytime.
Load More Replies...Poems That Make Grown People Cry
I prefer not to read things that will make me cry. I get enough of that reading my work email and pension plan statement
Look What I Found On My Local Facebook Marketplace
If I would live together with a guy, we might do that as a joke, because he would not want horse hair in his clothes after I decided to wash the horse blankets and stuff. However, mine would be blue, my favourite color.
You wouldn't be able to fit a horse blanket in that washer.
Load More Replies...Because Women Can't Hold The Big Tube?
Ah, but HIS one is for c*****d skin, too. HERs, on the other hand, is $ 13 per 100 g (opposed to $ 8.66). Unless there's some secret ingredient (caviar?) in the left one I'd take this for a prime example of pink tax.
Be Careful Men, You May Look In A Woman’s Mirror!!
Gendered Towels?
This one comes with mixed messages: the blue (well, it IS supposed to be a shark) contrasts nicely with the explicit "Baby Girls'" description. I'd like to know how much the "Baby Boys" towel would be 🤔 But, hey: at least the girls are "allowed" to wear blue.
Weird Waste Separation On This Playground
Don't Let Your Men Drink This! They Will Become A Woman!
For Books That Girls Can't Read
But Like... They’re Dogs Though
We sometimes get the pink ones for my male dog, Fred. He doesn't care.
Fred has been meaning to talk to you about something.
Load More Replies...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.
I choose my dog's color to coordinate with their fur color. My previous dog was solid black, and teal worked for him. My current dog is black and white, and hot pink just pops on her. It's coincidence that it fits the gender scheme.
Load More Replies...Do dogs even see pink and blue as different? They definitely do not care
They cannot distinguish red and green, but they can definitely see the difference between blue and non-blue. (Red, green and yelow are close for the human eyes.)
Load More Replies...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?
It looks like a brand that markets towards men across their range, rather than that specific product being for men.
Hey Lady, Get Down From There
What Is This Meant For Exactly??
Oh its going on SOMEONES tender bits . . . . . .
Load More Replies...Women Can't Feel Lonely, Apparently
Well, rapists and domineering misogynists are always out there, right?
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*
This One Is Kinda Funny
Gender Is Pointlessly Gendered
Well that's a conspiracy theory that very few people will get behind. Click bait
Tbf I think there is a hint of truth to this. Be yourself whatever that maybe!
Got Some Man Debt?
I wonder if this is illegal under the Séx Discrimination Act?
I Want To Know If There's A Difference Between These But Don't Want To Buy Them
Maybe the Adam chocolate is dark chocolate while Eva is milk chocolate? We have "Gentleman" and "Lady" chocolate like that here in Germany
For Ladies Delicate Ears Only Pink Will Do. And They Only Cost A Little More!
The womens part is unnecessary but Im thankful (if that is a word) for smaller earplug sizes - I actually DO have narrow and sensitive ear tunnels
Gendered. Chocolate
This Needs To Stop
That Is Not How Trauma Works
"Traditional male". Some traditions deserve to be forgotten. Just saying.
I suspect massive traumata to the head in that guy's past, for no reason at all....
It’s Not That…
Can’t Even Start Reading Without Being Locked In A Gendered Choice
Birthday
Billy no mates at the bottom is angry because no one gives a d**n about him.
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?
And the males of many other species.
Load More Replies...Blueprints Are For Men, Birds And Flowers Are For Women
someone needs to do a technical drawing course - that is total bollocks
?? 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.
I Guess Men Can't Write, Sorry I Don't Make The Rules
Ah Yes, Clearly A Female Elf
Safe For All, Thank Goodness
Knifes For Women
Pioneer Woman is just the name of the brand - it's not saying the knives are only for women.
That's from a TV chef's marketing company. All her stuff is similar looking. Kind of a trad wife look
I would say its more of a "mid 90-ies to late 00-ies Eastern Europe in dying mining town" look.
Load More Replies...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.
Thes are the same eggs, just the image is flipped. I have ssen stupid memes but this one topps all stupidity
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.
Only Fit For Her Ears
Girl Clothes Only
These Face Masks
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 Was Playing With The Background On A Web Poll At Work And Found The "Thinking Male" And "Thinking Female" Background Options... Just Why?
Yes, but also no. The Thinking Man has gears. Gears are a pretty typical normal sign of thinking. The Thinking Woman, however, seems to have perfume and jewellry and a compact mirror.
Load More Replies...Cod Is For Men, AC Is For Women, Clearly
I think the listings on online stores with girl or boy for unisex stuff are just there to have an additional word a search engine would pick up. And some like the trashcan stickers or the two coloured bins are there for showing equality with both genders represented and not for separating them.
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".
TBH, skincare products for him and for her should make sense. As (cis and HRT-receiving trans) men have more oily skin and higher risk of acne due to their (on average) ten times higher testosterone levels in comparison to (reproductive age cis and estrogen replacement receiving) women. Nonetheless, I also often use deodorants, douchegels and other hygiene products designed/marketed for men.
I think the listings on online stores with girl or boy for unisex stuff are just there to have an additional word a search engine would pick up. And some like the trashcan stickers or the two coloured bins are there for showing equality with both genders represented and not for separating them.
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".
TBH, skincare products for him and for her should make sense. As (cis and HRT-receiving trans) men have more oily skin and higher risk of acne due to their (on average) ten times higher testosterone levels in comparison to (reproductive age cis and estrogen replacement receiving) women. Nonetheless, I also often use deodorants, douchegels and other hygiene products designed/marketed for men.
