What Is the Pink Tax-
The pink tax refers to the higher prices charged for products and services marketed primarily toward women, even when similar items for men are priced lower. Products most commonly impacted include personal care goods, such as razors, deodorants, and haircuts, in addition to clothing and accessories. On average, studies indicate that women pay 7–13% more than men for these items. The term itself is symbolic, building upon the trend of companies packaging “feminine” products in pink to signal the target audience.
Production and Market Factors-
Supporting the male perspective requires considering how pricing decisions are made. For many products targeted at women, companies claim higher pricing is based on differences in design, materials, or manufacturing complexity. For example, clothing designed for women may need more complicated patterns or fittings, different fabrics, and increased tailoring costs, all factors increasing production costs. Haircuts or grooming services for women take longer and need special skills, thus increasing labor costs. To the extent that these tangible factors exist, differential pricing does not necessarily signal discrimination but reflects different production realities.
Gender-Neutral Pricing Reasons-
California’s Pink Tax Law, AB 1287, lists specific gender-neutral justifications for price differences: time to manufacture, difficulty or complexity of making products, material and labor costs, and raw material costs. For instance, women’s razors or soaps are sometimes designed with moisturizing strips, unique scents, ergonomic handles, and specialized formulas that raise costs beyond those of basic men’s products. Men’s personal care products are often manufactured in larger sizes and simpler designs, which may have lower per-unit costs.
Market Segmentation and Consumer Choice-
Other points raised by male consumers revolve around market segmentation and choice. Firms provide a variety of products with different features, colors, and branding that are targeted toward specific groups of consumers. Marketing creates levels within a particular category, and it is the consumer who decides based on liking, perceived value, and willingness to pay. Often, women choose to go for premium branded or specially designed products, and such products may have higher prices as a result of choice and not necessarily forced discrimination.
Competition, Demand, and Willingness to Pay-
Prices can also be based on consumer demand. Clearly, when one group is willing to pay more for specific features, then companies will obviously charge higher prices. The rule is observed in all industries. For instance, there are luxury brands offering cosmetic products for both men and women at variable prices. Justification for the variable price is derived from the dissimilar consumer preference and spending habits of both groups.
Addressing Common Criticisms-
While critics argue that the pink tax is rooted in gender bias, objective studies have shown some price differentials can be accounted for by legitimate costs, demand, and product attributes. Not all disparities are unjust; where products genuinely differ or services require more skill and time, the price premium may be justified. Rather than blanket condemnation, consumers and policy makers should press for transparency: making sure any price difference reflects real production realities.
Conclusion-
From a male perspective, the pink tax is not always evidence of unfair discrimination. Men, too, are subject to pricing strategies based on market segmentation, features, and branding. Where there is clear, gender-neutral reasons driving price differences, such disparities, though unpopular, are part of the economics of competitive markets. The focus should fall on informed consumer choice and transparent justification for any premium, rather than assuming bias in every case.
References-
Pink Tax: What Does Price Discrimination Cost Women? (Kiplinger, 2025)
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/pink-tax-womens-products-price-discrimination
Pink tax (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_tax
AB 1287 – California’s Pink Tax Law
Reducing Gender Inequality Through the Tax Code – The Pink Tax Deduction (Georgetown Law, 2025)
Exploring Consumer Perceptions of the Pink Tax: A Study on Gender, Age, and Income (LSEEE, 2025)
https://lseee.net/index.php/fe/article/view/127
Pink Tax: The Hidden Cost of being a Woman (WRDA, 2025)
https://www.wrda.net/blog/pink-tax-the-hidden-cost-of-being-a-woman
Author Name- Durvankur Manjrekar Designation: Student Institution/Organization: Avantika University School of Law and Public Policy Course & Year of Study: BBALLB(H), 2nd Year
