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What do you look for when you’re choosing a product? Let’s say the product is something essential but banal, for example, a toothbrush. Do you want it to work how it’s supposed to and be comfortable to use? Obviously. Do you want it to be a color you like? Sure. Admittedly not relevant to how it works, but you do see it several times a day, after all. Do you want it to make you feel like a real man or a woman?

Probably not what most of us think of while we’re brushing our teeth every morning, but apparently, advertisers say yes. Here are some products that we don’t think anyone asked for gendered versions of, as found by people on Twitter.

#1

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Kaisu
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to make pink binoculars for people who like pink, that's fine! But gendering binoculars is so unnecessary and stupid

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    #2

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    fomae2 Report

    Ize86
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Womens Sleeping bags usually have more insulated legroom because women often are cold at the feet area...

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    #3

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Hermione Granger
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The concept is good, but it should still be a family game. No need to make it just for girls.

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    Nobody is saying that selling things in a variety of designs is bad—people have different likes and dislikes and we would be bored if everything only came in brown. But is it any wonder why so many girls end up resenting pink and floral patterns when that’s the one look that advertisements and toy packaging tell them they should be choosing, while boys are encouraged to play with toys in red, green, black, and pretty much every other color?

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    For adults, who have had their whole lives to get to know their own preferences, it seems shallow and infantilizing. And when design comes at the expense of functionality, like pink glue or more fragile razors, it goes from uncomfortable to insulting.

    #4

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Miłka Chromińska
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally a product for me, I've had enough of using men's shampoo, apricots have delicate hair you know. We need specially formulated shampoos :D

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    #5

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's actually a purpose behind this. The women's tea promotes estrogen health, bone density and calmness for stress. Them men's promotes healthy testosterone levels, memory wellness and gastrointestinal wellness. You wouldn't want a woman drinking a tea that promotes higher testosterone levels, would you?

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    #6

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Falcon
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if it's a play on words. Hand and Man. Still makes little sense tho unless it actually explodes...

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    Then there’s the opposite phenomenon, when marketers think things should be designated “for men” because apparently it’s not manly in the first place to use soap, eat bread, or have a cup of tea (chili in tea... I didn't know there was something effeminate about drinking things that taste good and don’t hurt.)

    #7

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Ed Souza
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can only imagine the outrage if they made this for women... still funny, I would buy this one as a gag gift.

    Karen Klinck
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of a cartoon of Han Solo with a bowl and spoon, and Chewbacca standing behind him holding a bag labelled 'human chow'. It's a gag gift, showing up (like all the other stuff you don't need) at Christmas.

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    Geoffrey Holland
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is the guy shown using a spoon? Obviously he should be eating out of it just with his mouth.

    The Girl on Fire
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this one is satire/ a gag gift.

    kurisutofu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could be read as Man the species.

    A Water Bottle
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stand up for men’s rights! Men can’t be discriminated! But actually, how triggered would some people get if this said women?

    Karen Klinck
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, we have our little 'Gotchas'. And remember, please, that this was almost certainly designed by a man, and approved by a man; most heads of Production and Marketing are still male. When you have to pay 50 cents to a dollar extra because they colored a basic product blue, with no other changes (like basic razors), come whine to me. Or get a set of hot pink wrenches...

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    Karen Klinck
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because he'd rather use a dog bowl than wash out a dirty one.

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    Jacquie Gariano
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For the many days men are in the Dog House, or that eat like dogs (pigs)

    John
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect for your Bachelor Chow

    Nixxy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man bowl, man bowl, does whatever a bowl can

    Amiella Berendt
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, I'm glad they don't have this for women XD

    Chris Sprucefield
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is actually degrading and offensive to men, comparing them to dogs... Seriously? And no, I'm not declaring myself "woke"...

    Karen Klinck
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, I bought a guy a bowl shaped like a pig, with a spoon shaped like a shovel!

    Baali Venomax
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if the guys find this funny? sexism goes both ways. I think its silly though.

    Sinkvenice
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Christ on a bicycle. IT'S A HUMAN DOG BOWL! I swear these people wake up in the morning and say to themselves, "Now, what do I want to be offended by today? I know! Be an SJW and get offended by a gender specific and I repeat, A HUMAN DOG BOWL!

    Bart Mommens
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's two letters short of an international crisis.

    Hermione Granger
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do women really want to share that????? Or anyone for that matter.

    I'm ~*tired*~
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok that is the most stupid thing that ive ever seen

    Noel Benavente
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'm sooo macho that i eat my cereal from a dog's plate... grrrr!!!

    Russell Johns
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they had one of these for persons who hated men but it was bigger

    1337
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is a joke though..

    katboxjanitor
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is an old saying "Men are dogs"....only some of them are.

    Suzette Duby
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great gift for any men in your life who act like animals.

    Christopher Mayer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With guys being in the doghouse so often, I can't say I'm really surprised...

    Avital Pilpel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK, that one's a deliberate joke.

    patricia matthews
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it saying Men are dogs? Hhhhuuummm...

    Shull GaRett
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would guess the desired target may be Furry?

    Tarryn Louise
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect for when I am volatile pissed at my man but still decide to cook his dinner :D

    Leslie Burleson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is meant to be funny. If you don't find it funny , you don't in fact have to buy one

    Pippa Runs
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a great white elephant gift

    Kevin
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a pretty sturdy bowl that will never get knocked over...Could do without the dog connection though...

    Todd Hollfelder
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are we sure it's not a novelty thing you buy for a present at Spencer's Gifts?? That thing would reside in the back of my cupboard where nobody could see, or reach, it!

    Kostas
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    man as an opposite to a dog not an opposite to a woman you morons

    Jessica
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Definitely made to be a gag gift

    Jace
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because ... um.... men are dogs...? Is that the message here?

    Bart Mommens
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's 2 letters short from an international crisis

    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It should say Bachelor for his bachelor chow ya know.

    Rench
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess if you frequently spill your cereal.....

    ej wey
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh but this one is just funny, right lady's?? Because men are all dogs right

    SciFi Vortex
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Any guy that would buy this would be insulting himself. But there's a lot of dummies out there. lol :)

    Vanities
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OOOOHHHHH The misandry!!!! Snowflake women would be upset if this went the other way.

    BearMeetsPug
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cos men are dogs. OOOH clever! Kill me now.

    Grace Marraffa
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are littteraly calling the man a dog. That is so mean if there was a woman version, you would be calling the woman a female dog, AKA a bit*h

    gracefullikeagazelle
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're a hard worker and how do I know that? Look how hard you're working at being offended. Go lie down b***h.

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    Dian Parama Kosala
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    because man are dog and woman are p.........wait, i mean cat!

    Amanda Hunter
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd say that's pretty accurate.

    Mark Kelly
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like almost an insult to men.

    deanna woods
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would any human be eating out of a dog bowl anyway?

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i find it funny but it can exist for woman too. so basically a man is a dog? i'm find with the joke, i'd like to have one but can we say woman are b***h too? because if we can't this is not fair

    Ljdia
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't find it funny... I find it degrading :/ (both cases)

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    Lingon
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Dogs are loving, cute, dependable and are gladl to make the bed, men are not. It's a cat bowl.

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    To be fair, some products are gendered because of average shape and size measurements or nutritional requirements based on sex. Even in those cases, though, what do we get out of labeling them “for men” or “for women” before said sizing or nutritional benefits? That just confuses and embarrasses people whose needs fall outside of those averages, because our proportions and chemistry vary a lot even within the biological categories of male and female. Further polarizing products by putting nuts and bolts or flowers and glitter on the package adds another uncomfortable layer by conflating our personalities and likes with those physical parameters.

    #10

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one doesn’t specifically say any gender. There is nothing wrong with having a choice of pink plane or blue plane. Some people (whether girl or boy like pink and others like blue).

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    #11

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Niito
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this a real toy? Is it played as the usual one?

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    #12

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    mizumomochi Report

    Ana B.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just an unrelated reminder that when they say "flushable", that doesn't mean you should flush them. You CAN, but it's not considered a good idea.

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    The American Marketing Association has observed that younger consumers are beginning to scoff at advertising that leans on gender, and recommends that brands focus on advertising “what a product is for rather than whom it is for.”

    They say that brands could learn more about their consumer base’s habits and do better business by removing gendered marketing that could sway consumers away from products not traditionally associated with their gender, and embracing marketing that presents their products in a positive light for any consumer.

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    #13

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    inkyfollies Report

    sunshine_20
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly, this isn't gendered, this is just two different types of products, with different characters/design.

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    #14

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    ibelieveinher Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are just different colors, not gender-oriented. Am I not seeing something?

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    #15

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Terd Fergison
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bible is one of the most misogynistic books on the planet. It states that a women who has a female child is twice as unclean as a woman that has a male child. It says that if a woman is raped and they are found, the rapist must pay the father some shekels and they must be married. I don't know many women that want to marry their rapist. Just a sickening, disgusting anti-woman book. Evil garbage filth.

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    #16

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Johane Moller
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This isn't really gendered it's colored. Only if you assign blue to boys and pink to girls can you say it's really gendered. As it doesn't say 'for boys' or 'for girls' on the packaging. I would've probably liked this as a child.

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    #18

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    jakeoftales Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now this kind of gendering of products is problematic. Just making a blue and pink product isn't gendering, but this is just really icky and not the way boys and girls should be taught to think about themselves.

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    #20

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Dirk Daring
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Point made on this one, but at least they didn't add the pink tax.

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    #24

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    CrimsonG_Shep Report

    Avital Pilpel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, let's just say it's probably because "I went through a whole box of tissues during that movie" means something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT for men and women.

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    #25

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    icecoldreddie Report

    I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cards against humanity brought out the “for her” set as a jab at the “pink tax”. Maybe have a read up on it.

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    #26

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    RuinTaughtMe Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, I don't really think this is gendered...? Some kids like to play with the rockets and planes while others like to play with the astronauts. I think it's really cool that there's a female astronaut doll and nowhere does it say that it's for girls or that the other one is for boys

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    #27

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    gurneemd Report

    Ninja Kitty
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NO FAIR~! I WANT ONE WITH BURGER KING ON THE GIRLS SIDE!!! >:{

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    #30

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    themouseyouknow Report

    Dirk Daring
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every person who has never found their name printed on a souvenir is really ticked at Eetu right now.

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    #32

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    KemiSays Report

    misteriosa
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a boy and two girls, and we always buy only "boys" ones because they have cooler toys.

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    #33

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    WeebPhone Report

    Purple light
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I played Monopoly ages ago, it had tiny player pieces: a dog, racecar, hat, iron and others. I can't remember playing as a woman ( or man)

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    #34

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    coldroses2when Report

    Lingon
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The next scientific report I write, will be written with these.

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    #35

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    12pt9 Report

    misteriosa
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How did they manage to gender divide those? o.O

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    #36

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    raccoonyote Report

    I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where does it say it’s for guys? it says “the Arsenal ultimate grooming set”. Arsenal is another term for an array of services/equipment used for a certain purpose. Nothing to do with gender.

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    #39

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    SheepPuppet Report

    MonsterMum
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man yoghurt brings an entirely different thing to my mind

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    #40

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    ramendates Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do you have to gender edible products, it makes zero sense. I don't think the foods and tastes you like has anything to do with your gender??

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    #41

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    kineticharvest Report

    I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are men and women vitamins and protein powders etc because fact is men and women often have differing nutritional needs.

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    #42

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    yoshi_in_black Report

    Lauren Ricard
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate gendered products. "For her" has extra iron in it. Just label it "with extra iron" - does the same trick. If you don't know why the extra iron would be necessary, the gendered version won't be very appealing to you either!

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    #45

    Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

    CassTheFox_ Report

    Amy Smith
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember the "it's not for girls ads". Even as a kid it pissed me off

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