(no subject)

[spooky_nine]

Why it costs more to be a woman
From haircuts to health insurance, moisturizers to mortgages, women are charged more than men for essentially the same stuff. There's only 1 way to fight this bunk.

The January issue of Consumer Reports just came in the mail, and what I found on Page 8 shocked me. There were two bottles of Nivea body wash: one for men priced at $5.49 and one for women costing $7.49.
Where women pay more

Why the 2-buck difference? Nivea's reason, according to Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks, is that the women's product is made with "skin-sensation technology," which makes it more expensive.

I tried to imagine a bigger load of bunk. I failed.

Consumer Reports compared six products that come in his-and-hers versions (or a neutral edition and a feminine one): shaving cream, antiperspirant, pain reliever, eye cream, body wash and razors. The magazine found that products aimed specifically at women can cost more than 50% extra.

OK, you might say, is it really worth jumping up and down about the cost of soap and razors?

Yes, because the body wash surcharge is just the latest in a long line of puzzling, outrageous gender-based price differences. Whether you're talking haircuts or health insurance, moisturizers or mortgages, women are typically charged more than men for the necessities of life.

Why?'

The same but not equal

According to Consumer Reports, sometimes the company in question provided a decent reason.

For example, Barbasol Soothing Aloe shaving cream, 11 ounces, sells for $1.69. Barbasol Pure Silk shaving cream for women, 9.5 ounces, sells for $2.49.

As a Barbasol rep explained, "80% of women like to shave in the shower," so the product needs a rust-resistant aluminum-bottom can. The company also adds more fragrance. These things cost more.

OK, fine. But why is Neutrogrena's Hydrating Eye Reviver eye cream (0.5 ounce) selling for $10 when its girly twin, Ageless Essentials Continuous Hydration Eye (also 0.5 ounce), goes for $15?

Because we're suckers?

That's part of it. Didn't I once admit in this very column to paying some horrifying amount for deluxe shampoo and conditioner?

But there is a lot more going on beneath all this lather.

Comments

[that1979guy.livejournal.com]

Women do not pay more for insurance or mortgages.

[mcfnord.livejournal.com]

they just earn less to pay with!

[that1979guy.livejournal.com]

You could make that argument. My point was though that men higher insurance rates.

Also mortgages are based on downpayment, income and credit. basically a formula that boils down to the ability repay debt. Age, current location, even the trends in your employable industry do not apply to the formula.

[mcfnord.livejournal.com]

but they are applied to your life.

[wring.livejournal.com]

cus it's easier to target: women's insecurity (see what i did thar?)

[tired-spirit.livejournal.com]

It's almost as if a system built around putting monetary profits ahead of all other concerns doesn't always work out well for people and that companies will take advantage of anyone they can.

I, for one, am shocked.

[deathboy.livejournal.com]

What this person so eloquently said :)

Plus, another dollop of "well, if ladies will pay such prices for such crap..."

;)

[tired-spirit.livejournal.com]

I was going to write something about the medieval concept of the "fair price" but I was bored with the sentences before I even started :o)

And on the "if they'll pay it" front I do have some sympathy there. In the case of medical insurance then if every company does it taking your business out of the market could get you killed. In the case of cosmetics then, while I feel it's something that can be avoided, people do feel the weight of expectation. Women are under a lot of pressure to keep up appearances. With so much of society dedicated to making people, and women more so, feel like shit about themselves so, amongst other things, they'll buy stuff to make it better, then this kind of bullshit continues apace.

I like to think that we're better than this... maybe I'll turn out to be right one day. Then again, I'm on-line and waffling at twenty to seven on a Saturday morning, so what the hell do I know?

Also, commas. Fucking hell.

[laika-come-home.livejournal.com]

The Twilight rifftrax was awesome.

And this is why I buy man deodorant >:C

[wulfsbane.livejournal.com]

Wait, what? They make non-girly eye cream? I'm not disputing the fact that they charge more for women (why I have no idea, maybe women know less about money since they don't have jobs and all they do is cook and sew?) but I don't know any guys that use eye cream. Am I just out of the loop? Should I be using eye cream?

... will that get rid of my sleep boogers in the corners of my eyes?

[that1979guy.livejournal.com]

I know a guy, straight one actually, that uses a slew of creams and moisturizers.

[spooky-nine.livejournal.com]

[that1979guy.livejournal.com]

my wife loves him so much in that movie.