What is it, how much it costs you and what you can do to nix the tax.
Most girls start their period around age 12 and continue to have a period every month for at least 40 years of their lives. Cramps, bloating, breakouts, cravings, fear of leaks and buying pads, tampons or menstrual cups take over a part of their month. No woman will tell you that menstruation is a pleasure or that feminine hygiene products are a luxury. Yet, the majority of women pay a luxury tax on necessary sanitary products (Tampon Tax). The tax on being female doesn’t end there but continues with “The Pink Tax” both, supported by many states.
A 2019 report by Payscale showed that women make .79 cents for every $1 a man makes. The gender pay gap is steepened when the higher prices a woman pays for products, services, mortgage rates and even health insurance refered to as “The Pink Tax” is taken into account in addition to the Tampon Tax. It is estimated that over the span of a woman’s life, she will have paid $18,171 for her period needs alone. This figure takes into account painkillers, new underwear, heating pads and more period necessities as well as tampons and pads. The few cents of tax on pads and tampons may not seem like much for those not living in low income households but when Viagra for men, incontinence diapers and condoms are not taxed, the conversation shifts from bank statements to gender equity.
States such as California, New York, Illinois, Maryland and more equaling 12 total US states have abolished the Tampon Tax and the 38 remaining states have yet to follow. California’s Governor Newsom has suspended the Tampon tax for two years and is working on stopping the tax on diapers for children which takes up a substantial part of the household income particularly, for low income households and single women who are being taxed more than men.
The Pink Tax – Besides the Tampon tax
“Pink Tax” is not a tax at all. In fact, it is a markup on products and services specifically targeted to women. This gender-based pricing can be noted on widely cited examples such as pink razors and kid’s pink scooters compared to almost identical razors and red scooters for men and boys by the same makers. The price gouging doesn’t end there but continues with services for women including dry cleaning and basic haircuts. Dry cleaning a button-down dress shirt costs women 92% more than the same shirt for men and the price of that basic haircut costs women 54% more. See the markups in the image below.
Image from the study of gender pricing in NYC – NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
A study done by the State of California in 2016 found that the pink tax on services alone cost women $2,135 over a year. The first findings of these studies helped California pass the AB 1100 bill in 1995 which prohibits gender-based discrimination on services. New York followed in 1998 with mountains of research and studies of consumer reports and their findings of the unjust pink tax.
Even more than the Pink Tax
Up until The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2011 women were paying high insurance premiums. Though less prevalent today than in the 90’s women are still quoted higher prices at car dealerships and single women received higher interest rates on mortgages even though studies confirmed single women were less likely to default than men. Products for female seniors and their home health care are also higher. This demographic surfer even more since, senior women have drastically less income than senior men and according to a JEC report, the likelihood of senior women living in poverty is also much higher.
What you can do?
- Buy “blue” – Compare the products marketed to women with those for men. Usually the pink and pastel items are higher priced. Buy the blue pack of razors instead, try men’s deodorant if floral scents aren’t your preference, anyway. Compare ingredients, unit price, materials. Start thinking “blue” and see if your wallet starts to benefit.
- Shop online? Try BOXED – equal prices for equal products – per ounces and per unit basis no matter the gender. Billie or Dollar Shave Club for razors and Mender for bodycare products.
- Hashtag it – Use social media for more than selfies – take pictures of products in stores and Post your proof of unfair gender pricing. Use #AXTHEPINKTAX to join the movement and use their GIPHY on Instagram. Also, support other companies that help the cause like, European Wax Center (Axe the pink tax movement advocates).
- Speak up – Talk to both your female and male friends, co-workers, family and even that stranger reaching for a “pink” item at the store and kindly tell them about the pink tax. Show proof by sending them this article and others to educate and have them take a stand with you. Most people are completely unaware of the Pink tax and Tampon tax.
- Advocacy – If you live in a tampon tax state, write your Assemblymembers, governor and get them to know that you are aware of the unfair tax and that you want change via bills put into action. You can also start a petition to nix the tax. Try Change.org to do this.
With every gain, there is a sacrifice. Eliminating the tampon and pink tax in your state will mean economic restraints on the budget like other strains that are made for the greater efficiency and harmony of a state and its residents. Like California Assemblymember Garcia says, “We don’t have to balance the budget on women’s uteruses.” The Tampon Tax and Pink Tax is an obvious and measurable tax on simply, being female. If women make 85% of the purchases in the US then it’s time we realize that we yield the most purchasing power and actually hold the power to propel change with actionable steps.
Where have you noticed the Pink Tax? Comment and #voicebowl and #axthepinktax on your insta posts when you see gender based pricing to show your proof and power!
