What Is The "Blue Tax?" Is It Even a Thing?
With the rise of feminism, the gaps in gender equality are becoming more apparent. Most recently the case where women pay a higher price for certain products and services than men do - otherwise known as the "Pink Tax." It shows how business corporations have created an unfair gender-based market by intentionally marking up prices specifically for women. According to Forbes, women on average pay $1,351 more than men due to these items being overpriced, and the fact that they make less money than men really comes to show how unreasonable it is.
Being a girl, I know for a fact that I can answer the question of what my gender pays for more than the other in a heartbeat. Haircuts, deodorant, dry cleaning, etc. the list goes on. However, I was very interested to see how my male counterparts would react in regards to that question, so I decided to ask them myself.
When I asked what they thought the male version of the "Pink Tax" was, I found them stumped in hesitation. It took each of them a long time to reply as they pondered how they would answer. Commenting that it was an interesting question, but they couldn't think of anything. Matthieu Blazevic, a native Parisian and current AUP student, stated "I really don't think there's much we pay more for."
For example, Seth Jackson, an AUP freshman, says "If I took a girl out, obviously I would pay because if I didn't it would be rude and not romantic." Chivalry in itself is a way to be "gentlemen-like," but at the same time it has become an obligatory thing for them to be. Regarding cover charges at clubs, there is not only sexism in girls getting in for free while men have to pay 20 EUR, but also in the expectation that guys WOULD and SHOULD pay for drinks.
While each of them spoke about what's included in the "Blue Tax," it came down to just a few items. Cover charges at clubs, dates "if it's a girl you like," drinks, and car insurance. Obviously this list is not something that can even compare to the "Pink Tax," but these things do exemplify the male stereotype and what men are expected to do.
Though Blazevic says "Yeah fine sexism...It's always been like that," I am a firm believer that this isn't something we should ignore. The idea that "men suffer too" is not something that should be taken lightly or seen as a sad excuse, but should bring to light that this inexcusable behavior is a problem for all sexes. Both the "Blue Tax" and the "Pink Tax" are examples of the gender discrimination being tolerated in all parts of society. The "Blue" being dictated by gender and cultural norms, with the "Pink" being dictated by the greedy money makers in our economy.
In order to create a world with gender equality, we must look at the discrimination against all genders and address these problems. It is not enough for us to just accept how things are, but instead we must work together to change it. Although, it does give the illusion that"it balances out," as some AUP students claim.
