The average woman spends about 1,300 dollars every year on the pink tax alone according to Bankrate.com. Many women you know pay the pink tax; your mom, your sister, grandma and perhaps even yourself. However, the pink tax is not a real government-issued tax. So what is the pink tax? 

The pink tax is an extra amount many companies charge for feminine products such as razors, clothing, soaps and much more. A 2015 New York study of gender pricing conducted by the Department Of Consumer Affairs (DCA) found that women’s products cost on average seven percent more than similar male products. Clothing was eight percent more expensive and personal care products were 13 percent more expensive for the average woman than for the average man. Not only do companies apply the pink tax to women but to young girls as well. The DCA also found that toys targeted at girls were seven percent more expensive than the toys that were targeted at boys. Girls’ clothing was also four percent more expensive than boys’ clothing. This is a clear example of discriminatory pricing. Companies are charging more from women and young girls solely because of their gender. 

One way to fight the pink tax is by purchasing products that are either gender-neutral or targeted toward men. Of course, some products are scented to attract a certain gender so if smelling like Drakkar Noir or Old Spice is not for you then try unscented products such as unscented deodorant or shaving cream. You may also be surprised at how some products targeted toward men such as men’s razors, work better and are cheaper than women’s razors. 

Companies have been taking advantage of women from infancy to adulthood by discriminatory pricing. However, gender-neutral companies are on the rise to market unisex products as a way to fight the pink tax. It is also important that we as consumers can naturally influence corporations by buying products from companies that do not support the pink tax. A quick google search is all one needs to be one step closer to eliminating this discriminatory pink tax.