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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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
[gendered]
RELATED:
#2
No Teenagers Are Easy
#3
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.
#4
More “Batman Is For Boys” Nonsense — But With A Happy Ending
#5
Low Key Photo From 4chan
#6
Cool Actually
Nicole Weymann 7 hours ago
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.
#7
Gendered Eggs - I Give Up
#8
Where The Heck Do They Think We Get It From?
#9
Don't Let The Man-Trash And The Woman Trash Touch Each Other! They Will Make Baby Trash!
Frank Ropen 9 hours ago
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.
#10
Definitely Men
#11
God Forbid If Your Child Learned The Wrong Alphabet
#12
Special Wipes For Dudes! Can't Have That "Girly" Packaging
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 13 hours ago
This sounds wrong.... Sounds like what dudes need after lending a "helping hand" during dry patches . #nohomo.
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.
#13
Water And Water For Women. Different Ph Levels
Stardust she/her 6 hours ago
Why the hell is women’s alkaline water more acidic than the male one? What the heck is that about?
Huddo's sister 13 hours ago
Are we meant to be testing the PH of our water when we get it out of the tap too?
#14
War Paint Is Eye Concealer
Sally Moen 12 hours ago
So if makeup is war paint, then drag queens are experts in battle colors
#15
Saw This On Instagram And Figured I'll Share This Here
‘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.
#16
[meta] Are You Kidding Me?
Michael None 1 hour ago
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.
#17
What The Heck Is Wrong With These People?
#18
True!!
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.
#19
Gendered Baby Brushes - The Exact Same Product, The Exact Same Baby On The Packaging - But The Pink One Costs More
#20
Masks Donated To My Work Today
#21
Because Only Women Can Change Diapers Apparently
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.
#22
Felt Like This Belongs Here
#23
Make Sure You Are Using Your Gender's Hand Sanitizer!
TotallyNOTAFox 11 hours ago
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)
#24
Women Are Incapable Of Standing Normally
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.
#25
Do You Ever Find Your Cotton Swabs Are Too Damn Feminine?
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 13 hours ago
Cotton swabs? Cotton is too soft for men! The swans should be tipped with grit glued on.
#26
I Can Feel My Estrogen Supplies Dwindling Already
The Queen of France 13 hours ago
“You’ve just k****d a small animal! It’s time for a light beer!”
#27
Batteries Are Now Gendered, Too - So You Can Pay Extra For Pink Plastic Wrap That No One Will Ever See
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.
#29
I Think We Know What The Writer Wanted
#30
You Mean Humans?
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.
#31
Gendered. Pickles
#32
No Avocados And Blueberries For Women. They Might Explode, Since This Is Specifically For Men
Itchy Twitchy 7 hours ago
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.
#33
Ah Yes Because Girl Bug Notebooks Need Eyelashes
#34
Because Regular Freshwater Wasn't Good Enough
#35
Just Got This Recommendation On Yt
#36
You're Not A Woman Unless You Can Do These Things
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 12 hours ago
Isn't all this the reality of being a parent regardless of gender?
#37
Everyone Knows Real Men Have Bald Eyelids
#38
Checkout Options
#39
Hey Kids! Guess What? You Could Become A Powerful Knight... Or A Pwetty Lickle Pwincess!!
Itchy Twitchy 7 hours ago
funny thing is that in the past it used to be quite opposite. pink was a color of men :)
#40
Ladies Can't Handle Sleeping With These
#41
This Is The Definition Of Unnecessarily Gendered
Sarah bell 13 hours ago
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
#42
Why Are Shirt Buttons On Different Sides For Men And Women???
Lost Panda 13 hours ago
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.
#43
Barbells At The Gym
#44
Girl Dogs Need The Same Nutrients In A Pink Bag And Boy Dogs In A Blue Bag!
#45
Power Tools For Women!
Itchy Twitchy 7 hours ago (edited)
pink was the men colour in the the middle ages. so many has changed since... ;]
#46
Gendered Changing Rooms For One Person Each
#47
How Else Will People Know You’re A Straight Couple?
TotallyNOTAFox 11 hours ago
For pure anatomical reasons.... shouldn't it be the other way around?
#48
The Excitement Of Gunfighting Is Clearly Not Something Girls Would Enjoy, But What About Shooting Gossipy Messages At Each Other?
#49
Why Do We Need To See Her Bare Shoulder (Barely Can Tell She Is Wearing A Shirt) And Have Her Posing Like That?
#50
Grow A Girlfriend Has “No Nagging” And Other Phrases While Grow A Boyfriend Just Has Instructions
#51
Ouija... Just For Her!
#52
Angry Monkies For Boys Only, But At Least They're Giving Therapy For Both
#54
Not Even The Dragons Are Safe
#55
I Cannot Facepalm Harder
#56
Bc Only Boys (And Sabrina Sexton) Will Appreciate This
Lost Panda 13 hours ago
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*
#57
German Parking Disc - "Time Of Arrival" (Blue) vs. "I'm Off Shopping" (Pink)
Aveline Roisseau 7 hours ago
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.
#58
Women Can't Feel Lonely, Apparently
#60
Gender Is Pointlessly Gendered
Sally Moen 12 hours ago
Well that's a conspiracy theory that very few people will get behind. Click bait
#61
Need A New Account For These Shoes
CrazyKnitter 13 hours ago
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)
#62
Cringe In The Wild
#63
Men’s Reading Glasses
Sally Moen 12 hours ago
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
#64
Masculine Chargers Are Something Else
#65
Poems That Make Grown People Cry
#66
Look What I Found On My Local Facebook Marketplace
#67
Because Women Can't Hold The Big Tube?
#69
Gendered Towels?
#70
Weird Waste Separation On This Playground
#73
Got Some Man Debt?
Did I say that out loud? 11 hours ago
I wonder if this is illegal under the Séx Discrimination Act?
#74
But Like... They’re Dogs Though
CrazyKnitter 13 hours ago
We sometimes get the pink ones for my male dog, Fred. He doesn't care.
#75
It's A Brush And Comb Why Does It Need To Be For Men
Did I say that out loud? 6 hours ago
Dàmn! Why didn't they have proper manly man combs when I had enough hair to use them?
#76
I Want To Know If There's A Difference Between These But Don't Want To Buy Them
TotallyNOTAFox 11 hours ago
Maybe the Adam chocolate is dark chocolate while Eva is milk chocolate? We have "Gentleman" and "Lady" chocolate like that here in Germany
#77
Hey Lady, Get Down From There
#78
Gendered. Chocolate
#79
What Is This Meant For Exactly??
#81
Can’t Even Start Reading Without Being Locked In A Gendered Choice
#82
Birthday
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 12 hours ago (edited)
Billy no mates at the bottom is angry because no one gives a d**n about him.
#83
They Have Gendered The Bugs. Bugs, People
Kiki Likes Sweets 11 hours ago
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?
#84
Dinosaur Bubble Wands At Disneyworld
Fellfromthemoon 5 hours ago
My decoding would rather be a cartoonish and friendly design for the little ones, and a more realistic for older kids.
#86
For Ladies Delicate Ears Only Pink Will Do. And They Only Cost A Little More!
Kristiina Männiste 9 hours ago
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
#88
That Is Not How Trauma Works
#90
So Apparently Women Won’t Understand…fried Eggs?
Did I say that out loud? 6 hours ago
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.
#92
Blueprints Are For Men, Birds And Flowers Are For Women
Tim Fawcett 7 hours ago
someone needs to do a technical drawing course - that is total bollocks
#93
The Male Equivalent To Getting Flowers Is Getting Flowers
Did I say that out loud? 11 hours ago
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.
#94
?? Why
#96
Safe For All, Thank Goodness
#97
These Face Masks
#98
Couldn’t Eat My Roommates Lettuce, Didn’t Fit The Right Gender
Sally Moen 12 hours ago
No this one shouldn't be on the list. Organic Girl is the company name, like it or not.
#99
I Was Playing With The Background On A Web Poll At Work And Found The "Thinking Male" And "Thinking Female" Background Options... Just Why?
#102
Knifes For Women
Upstaged75 11 hours ago
Pioneer Woman is just the name of the brand - it's not saying the knives are only for women.
#103
Cod Is For Men, AC Is For Women, Clearly
Add New Image
What do you think ?
R Dennis 3 hours ago
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".
TotallyNOTAFox 10 hours ago
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.
Fellfromthemoon 5 hours ago
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.
R Dennis 3 hours ago
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".
TotallyNOTAFox 10 hours ago
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.
Fellfromthemoon 5 hours ago
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.
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