Kenapa Cewek Serba Pink dan Cowok Serba Biru?

Summary

This video script explores the historical origins of the gendered color association of pink for girls and blue for boys. It reveals that this trend didn't exist until after World War II, with no color gender norms in the early 1900s. It delves into the role of media, marketing, and cultural figures like First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and actress Audrey Hepburn in popularizing these colors. The script highlights the commercialization of gendered products and the influence of ultrasound technology in today's consumer culture, pointing out the irony that babies cannot choose their favorite color until they are two years old.

Takeaways

• 😀 The names Kobi and Sasa represent a hypothetical set of twins, with gender-based color distinctions being a key theme.
• 😀 The color association of pink for girls and blue for boys is a recent development, dating back to post-World War II America.
• 😀 In the 1920s, there was no established color for gender, and infants were dressed similarly, often in white or even skirts, regardless of sex.
• 😀 The introduction of pink as a 'girl's color' became popular thanks to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who often wore it, influencing public trends.
• 😀 During World War II, women worked in factories, often in dark clothing, while men wore uniforms on the battlefield, leading to further gendered color associations.
• 😀 Audrey Hepburn’s iconic role in *Funny Face* and the song 'Think Pink' also helped solidify the association of pink with femininity.
• 😀 The true catalyst for the pink versus blue stereotype was the mass marketing strategies of the clothing industry, aiming to increase sales by promoting gendered colors.
• 😀 If Kobi and Sasa were born in the early 1900s, their parents could easily dress them in neutral clothes. However, by the 21st century, gendered clothing choices have become the norm.
• 😀 The rise of ultrasound technology allowed parents to know their baby’s gender before birth, leading to more gender-specific purchases for clothing and accessories.
• 😀 The pink and blue color stereotype is not limited to clothes but extends to shoes, toys, advertisements, and even apps, reinforcing gendered expectations.
• 😀 Despite babies being unable to form a preference for colors until around the age of two, parents are still influenced by societal pressures to choose gendered clothing for their infants.

Q & A

Why are Kobi and Sasa dressed in specific colors in their childhood photos?

Kobi and Sasa's color choices in their childhood photos are linked to the stereotypical gender associations with colors, with Sasa wearing pink and Kobi wearing blue. This gendered color association, however, wasn't always the case.

How did the pink and blue gender color stereotype originate?

The pink and blue gender color stereotype emerged after World War II in the United States, particularly due to marketing efforts and media influence. Before this, clothing for infants was not gender-specific.

What did a 1927 TIME magazine survey reveal about color associations with gender?

The 1927 TIME magazine survey showed that there was no specific color associated with a particular gender at that time, contradicting today's norms of pink for girls and blue for boys.

How did historical figures like Mamie Eisenhower and Audrey Hepburn influence gendered color associations?

First Lady Mamie Eisenhower popularized the color pink through her frequent use of it, while Audrey Hepburn's portrayal in the film *Funny Face* further reinforced the association of pink with femininity through the song 'Think Pink'.

What role did marketing play in the establishment of gendered color norms?

Massive marketing campaigns, especially in the clothing industry, played a pivotal role in promoting the idea of gendered colors, encouraging consumers to buy gender-specific items for babies and children.

How would Kobi and Sasa have been dressed in the past, before the pink and blue color division?

If Kobi and Sasa had been born in the 1900s, their clothing would likely have been gender-neutral, with both wearing white or similarly simple garments, without color differentiation.

How did the introduction of ultrasound technology impact gendered clothing choices?

Ultrasound technology allowed parents to know the baby's gender before birth, leading to more gender-specific purchases, including clothes, toys, and accessories, which further entrenched the pink and blue stereotype.

Why is there an increase in spending on gendered items for babies today?

The rise in gendered marketing and the ability to know the baby's gender before birth has led to more parents buying separate clothes and items for boys and girls, resulting in higher overall spending.

How far-reaching is the influence of the pink and blue gender stereotype?

The pink and blue stereotype extends beyond clothing to other items like shoes, toys, and accessories. It is reinforced through advertisements, media, and even mobile apps, shaping the way we perceive gender from a very early age.

At what age do babies start to have color preferences?

Babies do not develop a clear preference for colors, including pink or blue, until about the age of 2, challenging the idea that gendered color choices are inherent from birth.