In a bustling garment shop, a group of girls and boys gathered to purchase underwear. The boys, adhering to a societal notion, rejected pink underpants, deeming it a feminine color. Meanwhile, the girls favored pink bras and panties. Curiously, I bought a pink t-shirt for my nine-year-old son, only to have him refuse to wear it, believing it to be a color exclusively meant for girls.
This pattern of pink versus blue seems to persist almost everywhere. Who, how, and when was it marketed that pink is for girls and blue is for boys? This concept appears absurd upon reflection.
Researching the matter, I discovered something surprising. In early ages, pink was considered a masculine color, while blue was regarded as delicate and pretty. So, how did this perception shift? Who decided that colors could be divided to denote a person’s gender? It sounds nonsensical, and rightly so.
The color blue has been described as representing open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. On the other hand, pink has been associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, and romance. But who determined this, and what was the reasoning behind it? Nobody knows! Even if we consider the abstract qualities associated with these colors, doesn’t blue seem more suitable to indicate femininity?
The term “pink” was first used in the 17th century, and at that time, it was not a preferred color in fashion. Interestingly, blue had long been associated with femininity due to the supposed color of the Virgin Mary’s attire. Conversely, the goddess Ma Laxmi is described as having dark (blue), pink, yellow, and white colors. I don’t intend to argue based on religious beliefs, but there seems to be no logical basis for the division of colors.
We also commonly refer to termination as a “pink slip” and a distressing situation as feeling “blue.” These associations have been effectively marketed by businesses and have seeped into our collective consciousness, firmly establishing the perception that pink is a feminine color and blue is for men. Yet, there is no substantial logic or foundation to support this.
I understand that this division already exists and it is challenging to eradicate from the minds of the current generation. However, I simply advocate for the cessation of color division. All colors are beautiful, as long as you appreciate them. Pink holds no inherent femininity, and blue has no exclusive connection to men. Colors are just colors—neither more nor less
