Study Confirms “Gender Tax,” Women Often Pay More Than Men for Similar Products
The New York Consumer Affairs Board recently conducted a study titled “From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer” that tells us something we all kind of already knew from browsing the CVS and Rite Aid razors: women’s products cost more than similar products for men.
However, the study reveals how this goes way beyond just feminine hygiene or grooming products. Gender pricing actually effects everything from toys, accessories, children’s clothing, adult clothing, personal care products, and even home health care products for seniors. Women’s products cost an average of 7% more, but here’s a breakdown:
- 7 percent more for toys and accessories
- 4 percent more for children’s clothing
- 8 percent more for adult clothing
- 13 percent more for personal care products
- 8 percent more for senior/home health care products
A disparity chart revealed that women pay more 42% of the time, pay the same 40% of the time, and pay less than men 18% of the time. The study references another study that estimates women pay a “gender tax” of approximately $1,351 a year! On top of the wage gap, the study emphasizes just how expensive it is to be a woman. Even if you opt for the “male” version of the product, the study states that “these higher prices are mostly unavoidable for women.”
The Department of Consumer Affairs is promoting a social media campaign to drag attention to gender pricing with the hashtag #genderpricing. You can read the full study here.
(via Jezebel, Image via Rock Your Legs Commercial)
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