Does Pink Stink?

What does the colour pink mean to you? Femininity? Romance? Frivolity? Innocence?

Chances are you thought of some positive and decidedly feminine words (and if you didn't, then kudos - I want to hear from you!) Pink is the colour of lipsticks, of Barbie's car (and house, and the myriad other material possessions that she's acquired through life). Pink roses are a gentler romantic gesture than bold red, the colour of lust and love and passion.

It is now almost impossible to enter a toy store without immediately being aware of 'girl toys' and 'boy toys', conveniently colour-coded; some stores boast an entire floor dedicated to the toys a girl might want, dumbed down...and in pink.

What's the problem with that? Well let's look a little closer.

The Pink Stinks campaign, established by two mothers who were horrified by the 'pinkification' of culture, aims to tackle the gender division affecting children. They argue that the gender-colour equation adds up to lower self-esteem in girls, as the incessant focus on princess dresses and babies and make-up affects young girls' aspirations. I looked on a well-known UK retailer's website, and the top 10 girls' toys included a Rapunzel costume, a dolls house, a bead-making set, and my personal favourite: a pushchair. Mainly in pink, might I add, with the odd splash of purple. The boys top 10 - and this will come as no surprise - included several guns, battle figures and cars. Try finding a firefighter fancy dress costume aimed at girls, or one that isn't a 50s nurse or a fairy. Now this trend may be older than me, but seriously: what message is this giving kids? I tell you what message: an outdated one. 

Now a person may well argue that there is no harm in children showing a preference for a colour, and I agree with that in principle. But I plain refuse to believe that we are biologically pre-determined to like a colour to this degree. And, for me, the clincher is this: many boys with some level of cultural awareness refuse to wear pink. It has connotations of 'girliness', and that has to be avoided at all costs. Don't get me wrong: I'm not a particular fan of 'girly pink' either. But then, when I cast my mind back, I realised that I was never bombarded with pink accessories. This was definitely in part due to my mother, who, I remember, refused to buy me a toy kitchen, but the fact is there just wasn't the plethora of pink there is today. It's like we're going backwards.

Some hysterical British news reporters claimed that Pink Stinks was trying to 'ban pink', but this ain't the case. They have a problem with the connotations. Their site aims to focus instead on positive female role models who are known for their passions and achievements rather than their beauty or breast size, and they believe that by shifting the focus from 'princess' and 'soldier', toy and clothing companies have the opportunity to feed children the dreams they deserve, wearing whatever colours they choose.

And me? I actually love a bit of pink. I even have a fabulous pair of pink shoes...but the difference is, I'm old enough to know I can still change the world while I'm wearing them.

How do you feel about the pink culture?
Do you think it's harmless or a hindrance?


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This is part of a series of posts by the Feminist Fashion Bloggers for Women's History Month.
Click here to read the other submissions on the new FFB blog!