When Sexism Is Economically Justified

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I find the tone of this article quite laughable. "Perhaps women prefer fancier products, or maybe we’re simply willing to pay more for our hygiene routines, but the market clearly supports pricier products for women." Rather than positing poorly-reserached assumptions as possibilities, empirical evidence would have had a larger impact. Where are the numbers to support your claim? I, for one, do not prefer 'fancier products.' I would be interested in learning about the working women who do. A more thoroughly prepared and researched article, of course, would have presented this perspective. Further, your claim that because women's shirts "require a more labor-intensive dry cleaning process," women should, indeed, be charged more, ignores the root of the problem. Precisely because there is a different price for women's and men's shirts, even if I bring in a shirt that isn't form-fitting, I am still charged the higher rate. You failure to acknowledge further points out your poor journalistic research skills. I would encourage you to take proper research (both quantitative and qualitative) courses before you publish another article. You've done nothing with this piece other than embarrass yourself.

Cait of NJ 11:40AM September 01, 2012

As a woman I can completely understand these things that are easily justifiable discrepancies. However, some people, specifically the man below and his, yes, sexist comments are exactly why women bring up these little things. It is not due to ignorance, it is due to frustration. Anyone who can not realize this deserves to hear a woman complain about everything for the rest of their lives. Let's face it, most people who complain about women complaining cannot keep a woman anyways. To be honest. And if a 22 year old woman can realize this then why do much older men have so much trouble?

Lauren of OH 4:05PM March 24, 2012

Thank you, Ben. And to anyone interested in learning more on the topic -- you don't have to take my word for it- if you do some googling around you can learn more about why there is a discrepancy in the amounts young men and women pay for auto insurance. There's lots of interesting research on the topic.

Kim Palmer of DC 9:40AM March 23, 2012

When they demand equal conscription and draft registration rights, we can start listening to their complaints about other matters.

Michael Steane 8:05AM March 23, 2012

When women demand equality in matters of conscription and registering for the draft, we can start dealing with their petty complaints about everything else.

Michael Steane 8:02AM March 23, 2012

@Kim Palmer
That was not disputed in the article. The statement was:
'Auto insurance companies often give young women better deals than young men, and for good reason—they’re safer drivers.'
Did you actually read it or just scan it and decide to critique it?

Ben of VA 10:10PM March 22, 2012

There's absolutely no rule that says women have to buy "women's" shampoo or razors. Nor are women obligated in any way to buy "curvy" shirts. For that matter, there are no rules that say men or women are obligated to send their laundry out to be dry cleaned. Just look at the long history of communist countries that went militantly bland and generic to force equality and successfully crush gender oppression. You go, girl!

bobby of KS 10:06PM March 22, 2012

About drycleaning: Ever notice that shirts are the only thing mentioned? Why? Because a man's suit and a woman's suit, jackets, slacks, etc. are generally priced exactly the same, irrespective of gender--as it should be. If there is delicate trim (beads, sequins, and so on) that requires special handling, there will normally be an additional charge for that--again, irrespective of sex. The same with drycleaned shirts/blouses: if I take in a Tommy Bahama silk shirt, I'm going to pay the same (higher) charge that a woman does for a silk blouse, because of the extra handling to do silk. As for shirts--which are laundered--a cleaner can easily pay $40,000--$60,000 for the specialized pieces of equipment to press shirts. If the shirt fits on the equipment, then a standard shirt price should be charged, regardless of gender. If the shirt has to be ironed by hand--increasing labor by 4x to 6x--than a higher price is often going to be charged, and that is not because of gender. And if you feel you have been mischarged for a machine-pressed shirt, ask to speak to the owner, as the item may have been simply mismarked when it was checked in.

William Fisher of MD 4:53PM March 22, 2012

Hello Roger,
Actually, young women, which is the group referenced in the article, are in fact safer drivers when compared to young men. Here is a link to one of hundreds of articles and studies on the subject: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16698153/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/women-drivers-theyre-safer-men/#.T2tZXIFYXTo

Kim Palmer of DC 12:56PM March 22, 2012

A quick correction:
The article states that women are "safer drivers" and therefore pay less for insurance. This isn't exactly true. Women pay lower insurance rates because they drive less, not because they are better at avoiding accidents.
On a per-mile basis, adult women get in slightly more accidents than adult men; but adult men drive much more than adult women. On average, a husband is much more likely to drive than a wife when both are in the car together, for example.
But because men spend more time behind the wheel, they get into more total accidents, but roughly the same amount (or slightly less) on a per-mile basis.

Roger of AL 11:04AM March 22, 2012