What's Wrong With The Pink Stuff?
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Dec 30 2009, 10:12 AM
Yesterday, Dr. Isis posted a fantastic article pointing out a marketing travesty of beginner’s lab equipment targeted for young girls. The ad in question depicts a pink microscope which is notable less advanced than similar models design for young boys.
The issue, however, has nothing to do with the color pink. In fact, I like my tech gadgets and accessories as much as any guy, but if offered those devices in an adorable pink package, that is just an added bonus! I am an admitted sucker for all things cute and mini and purple. Nevertheless, I also understand quality versus cuteness.
The unintentional slap-in-the-face comes from the inequality of the equipment’s functionality. I cannot possibly fathom any non-sexist reason why the black and red models should be more advanced than the pink model. The undeniable message this manufacturer is sending is either that girls are uninterested in additional magnification or that they are incapable of utilizing the additional magnification.
In the comments section, Teresa brings up a good point. “But whether a girl uses a pink or black microscope is irrelevant. The fact that the pink scopes are underselling the other ones leads me to believe that girls aren't getting these AT ALL, and that's a bigger concern.”
I applaud efforts to develop products that will appeal to young women in order to encourage the exploration of the sciences. However, those women should be afforded the opportunity to gain the identical experience of their male peers. So now the challenge presented… which manufacturer will grow a pair and offer science tools and resources of equal quality to both sexes?
On a side note, women who purchase pink geek products are sometimes viewed, among both populations, as inferior or succumbing to the stereotype. I totally disagree.
Women just know how to make smart look adorable!
Yesterday, Dr. Isis posted a fantastic article pointing out a marketing travesty of beginner’s lab equipment targeted for young girls. The ad in question depicts a pink microscope which is notable less advanced than similar models design for young boys.
The issue, however, has nothing to do with the color pink. In fact, I like my tech gadgets and accessories as much as any guy, but if offered those devices in an adorable pink package, that is just an added bonus! I am an admitted sucker for all things cute and mini and purple. Nevertheless, I also understand quality versus cuteness.
The unintentional slap-in-the-face comes from the inequality of the equipment’s functionality. I cannot possibly fathom any non-sexist reason why the black and red models should be more advanced than the pink model. The undeniable message this manufacturer is sending is either that girls are uninterested in additional magnification or that they are incapable of utilizing the additional magnification.
In the comments section, Teresa brings up a good point. “But whether a girl uses a pink or black microscope is irrelevant. The fact that the pink scopes are underselling the other ones leads me to believe that girls aren't getting these AT ALL, and that's a bigger concern.”
I applaud efforts to develop products that will appeal to young women in order to encourage the exploration of the sciences. However, those women should be afforded the opportunity to gain the identical experience of their male peers. So now the challenge presented… which manufacturer will grow a pair and offer science tools and resources of equal quality to both sexes?
On a side note, women who purchase pink geek products are sometimes viewed, among both populations, as inferior or succumbing to the stereotype. I totally disagree.
Women just know how to make smart look adorable!
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