Color-coded Genders

In many cultures, the importance of gender is magnified from birth. Baby boys are put in blue in the hospital, girls in pink, ensuring that even passers-by can tell. It is that important.

And it continues. Toy aisles for girls knock you over with pink dolls, pink roller blades and even pink shovels. The boys’ aisles – no pink – but lots of dark colors – black, brown, army green – and camouflage.

Because girls see so much pink in their lives, they often decide it is their favorite color. Everything they see tells them they are more feminine the more they wear pink. It’s a reinforcing loop.